Mr Speaker, Honorable Members of Parliament and my fellow citizens.
I rise to contribute to the budget debate of the 2026-2027 National Budget. I do so with humility, confidence in our people, and a clear sense of responsibility before this House.
I commend the Honourable Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development, and all those involved, for preparing a Budget that is responsible, realistic and focused on Fiji’s future.
This Budget carries the theme, “A Responsible Budget for a Sustainable Future.” It means public money must be used with purpose, borrowing must be managed with care, and today’s investments must strengthen the Fiji our children will inherit.
In the days ahead, Honourable Members will scrutinise this Budget as our duty demands. I ask that we debate with seriousness, fairness and respect for facts, for the sake of our people.
This Budget is about them: families facing rising costs, workers seeking secure jobs, young people acquiring skills, farmers needing better roads, and the public servants, tourism workers, market vendors and small businesses who keep Fiji moving every day.
This Budget is about building a stronger Fiji together: fiscally responsible, socially just, economically resilient and united in purpose.
Mister Speaker Sir, Fiji’s Vision 2050 is clear: ‘to become a high-income, resilient economy delivering 5 to 6 percent growth by 2050.’
But Fiji does not budget in isolation. We are a small island economy interconnected with the rest of the world in every facet of our economy. Whatever happens around the world affects us directly and quickly – as we experience now in energy and shipping markets. Higher oil prices impact everything in the market.
In recent years, we have faced shocks no Government created but every Government had to confront. COVID-19 caused one of the deepest contractions in our history, with the economy falling by 17.2 percent in 2020 and 4.3 percent in 2021.
Then Fiji recovered. But recovery alone is neither sufficient nor automatic. We must address the structural challenges that continue to constrain progress – including infrastructure, productivity gaps, cost-of-living pressures, workforce challenges and emerging threats to national security and social cohesion
We have a difficult reality. But the responsible response is to protect our people where we can, while keeping Fiji on a path of discipline, growth and resilience. The pathway to prosperity must be productivity-driven and private sector-enabled. Government’s role is to establish enabling conditions—through sound policies, quality infrastructure, effective institutions and a stable investment environment—while businesses, investors, workers and communities drive innovation, employment and economic opportunity
Mr Speaker, responsible budgeting begins with transparency, accountability and discipline. The Budget figures presented two weeks ago by the Minister of Finance are serious numbers. We place them openly before Parliament because public trust begins with honesty.
Faced with our current reality, Government has chosen targeted, time-bound relief while maintaining discipline across the rest of Government. The International Monetary Fund assessed that Fiji faces no immediate risk of debt distress, provided growth is sustained and fiscal discipline maintained. ‘Discipline’ is central to this Budget.
Responsibility is about maintaining fiscal discipline while actively encouraging growth. It is spending where it matters most, protecting those most exposed; not reducing ambition – but ensuring every dollar invested delivers maximum value for our people.
For that reason, Government is reviewing the civil service to contain the salaries bill, tightening controls on travel, workshops, fuel and maintenance, and requiring stronger value-for-money reviews, driving performance.
On revenue, we are widening the tax base, improving compliance, recovering arrears, and modernising tax administration for a digital economy.
The Budget focuses on strengthening expenditure management, improving public sector efficiency, enhancing revenue administration, widening the economic base and ensuring that public resources are directed towards programmes that generate sustainable economic and social returns.
Mr Speaker, the cost-of-living and everyday expenses are not merely basic economic indicators; they are the daily experiences of families managing electricity bills, transport costs, food prices and essential requirements.
This Budget places targeted relief at the center of Government’s response. The fuel duty concession on diesel and heavy fuel oil is extended to 31 October 2026, with a 20 cents per litre reduction on diesel and a 12 cents per litre reduction on heavy fuel oil. This supports electricity supply and helps contain wider fuel-driven costs.
Without running the risk of repeating what the Minister of Finance has already presented I say this; the Budget provides targeted support to assist households through measures such as fuel duty concessions, electricity subsidies, transport assistance, zero-rated VAT on essential items, free water concessions for eligible households and targeted duty reductions.
Mister Speaker, Sir, the Coalition Government recognises that lasting relief cannot come from support measures alone. Sustainable improvements in living standards must come from a stronger economy that creates jobs, increases productivity and expands opportunities.
Therefore, this Budget balances immediate assistance with long-term investments that strengthen economic growth and improve the wellbeing of all Fijians.
Jobs, Investment and Skills
Mr Speaker, relief is necessary, but relief alone is not a development strategy. Fiji must grow, invest, produce and create jobs.
Investment Fiji is facilitating 254 active projects worth $8.9 billion across tourism, real estate, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture and manufacturing. Of these, 107 are under construction and expected to become operational within three years, with a further 95 in advanced pre-development.
Mr Speaker, a Task Force on Investment Approval Process comprising Ministries and agencies and headed by the Office of The Prime Minister, is facilitating projects to help them start.
Significant investments are currently underway, with consultations and preliminary feasibility studies being carried out to determine their economic viability, structural design and long-term benefits.
These projects include major port developments and maritime infrastructure aimed at supporting Fiji’s regional maritime hub status. These mega investment projects will significantly improve trade efficiency, enhance logistics capability and support the growth of the Blue Economy.
This pipeline matters because jobs are created by confidence. When investors build, jobs are created across construction, tourism, agriculture, transport, services and supply chains.
It is envisioned that these projects will create thousands of employment opportunities, attract billions in foreign direct investment and greatly boost our investment-to-GDP ratio. These are necessary investments to inject liquidity into critical sectors across our economy.
Shipbuilding and marine engineering development initiatives are critical investment projects in the pipeline for our great nation. These initiatives are directly focused on creating new industrial capabilities that will subsequently strengthen Fiji’s domestic maritime sector.
Mr Speaker, another critical investment is the National Tertiary Hospital development, which represents a transformational investment in Fiji’s healthcare system, specialist medical capability and human capital development.
At the heart of economic growth, tourism-related infrastructure investments, including tourism developments, airport improvements such as the proposed new international airport in Vanua Levu and supporting facilities – are being prioritised to strengthen Fiji’s competitiveness as a leading global tourism destination.
A stronger Fiji requires a stronger and more resilient rural economy.
Agriculture remains central to food security, exports, employment and climate resilience. This Budget reinforces Government’s commitment to supporting farmers, strengthening waterways, revitalising the sugar sector and improving rural economic opportunities.
Mr Speaker Sir, the Special Committee on the Sugar Industry, recently toured the Western Division and the Tour provided critical insights into the challenges that our sugarcane farmers are facing – challenges that this Budget directly addresses through enhanced farm mechanisation, targeted fertiliser subsidies and the upgrading of critical cane access roads.
Also, Fiji must produce more, process more, export more and innovate more. That is why the Budget supports manufacturing, commercial agriculture, digital services and new financing platforms for small and medium enterprises.
Mr Speaker, skills are equally important. Fiji faces pressure from the migration of our skilled workers. Remittances are a lifeline for families and are projected to reach $1.48 billion this year. We honour Fijians abroad, but every departure also leaves a gap at home.
Government’s response is to train more people, retain more talent and mobilise the diaspora. The Budget supports training institutes and extends the Employment Taxation Scheme, including incentives for apprenticeships, work placements and employment of persons with disabilities.
The temporary reduction of the FNPF employer contribution rate from 10 percent to 8 percent for twelve months is interim relief to protect jobs during a period of higher costs. Employers who continue contributing up to 10 percent will receive a 150 percent tax deduction. At the same time, FNPF will declare a 9.5 percent annual interest rate for members for the year ending 30 June 2026, one of the strongest returns in the Fund’s history.
Mr Speaker, development is built through roads, bridges, water systems, schools, hospitals, ports, energy networks and digital infrastructure.
This Budget provides $820.8 million for the Ministry of Public Works, $369.8 million for the Fiji Roads Authority and $290.6 million for the Water Authority of Fiji. These allocations connect farmers to markets, communities to services and businesses to opportunity.
The Budget allocates $708.3 million to the Ministry of Education and maintains free education grants from early childhood through secondary school. Education must provide hope, but also the skills Fiji needs – technical, digital, agricultural, health, teaching, entrepreneurship and practical trades.
The Budget provides $476.9 million to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, supporting doctors, nurses, allied health workers, medicines supplies, hospitals and health centres. It also provides $8.0 million toward the new national tertiary hospital at Valelevu in partnership with Australia.
Mr Speaker, a stronger Fiji must include a stronger rural economy. Agriculture is strategic. It affects food security, exports, rural incomes, climate resilience and the dignity of communities that have fed this nation for generations.
The Budget provides $221.0 million for agriculture and waterways and maintains $96.3 million in support for the sugar industry, including weedicide and fertiliser subsidies, the sugar stabilisation fund, cane access roads and direct support to farmers.
Fiji must produce more of what it consumes. We need stronger links from farm to market, better storage, better processing, better finance and closer links between agriculture, tourism, retail and exports. Rural development must also integrate agriculture, infrastructure, water management and disaster resilience.
Mr Speaker, national development must ensure that every community participates meaningfully in growth. For Fiji, this includes mainstreaming iTaukei participation in socio-economic development.
As custodians of the largest land and cultural assets, iTaukei communities must be empowered to translate ownership into sustainable economic opportunities, employment and prosperity for future generations.
This Budget introduces tax incentives for companies with at least 30 percent iTaukei shareholding investing in eco-tourism, culture and arts businesses. It provides seven-year tax holidays for investments between $5 million and $10 million, and thirteen-year tax holidays for investments above that threshold.
This is more than a tax measure. It is a statement of direction: indigenous participation must be built into national development, not treated as an afterthought. When iTaukei communities are economically stronger, Fiji is stronger. When landowners become entrepreneurs, the tax base grows. When cultural assets are developed respectfully, tourism becomes richer and confidence grows at home.
Mr Speaker, the present fuel pressures remind us that Fiji must reduce its dependence on imported energy over time. This Budget extends accelerated depreciation incentives for fuel and gas storage and, for the first time, for electric vehicle charging stations. These are practical steps toward energy security and cleaner transport.
Climate resilience must remain central to national planning. Cyclones, floods, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion affect homes, farms, schools, roads, water systems and health facilities. Our Blue Economy must protect reefs, fisheries, coastal communities and marine resources while creating sustainable opportunities.
A modern economy also needs modern Government. The Business Now platform will reduce delays for entrepreneurs and investors, while new incentives for peer-to-peer lending and equity crowdfunding will open financing channels for small businesses.
Public safety is equally important. The Budget supports duty reductions on surveillance cameras for the Suva-Nausori CCTV corridor and provides additional funding for specialised police drug operations. The drug threat requires enforcement, rehabilitation and partnership with families, churches, schools, traditional leaders and communities.
Growing the Economy and the Vital Ground
Faced with current challenges the Budget provides the platform and discipline to grow the economy. We’re doing this on a real time basis with mega projects.
Further, Mr Speaker, last week, Fiji and Australia signed the Vuvale Union and Ocean of Peace Alliance. These are two transformative agreements that will usher Fiji into a new realm with immense impacts in the next century, as a start. This is about credibility, trust and responsibility. The economic pillar of the Union focuses on building the economic structure; this is profound and lasting. The agreed 10-year Work Plan – in health, education, infrastructure, law enforcement, defence, environment, digitalisation, and governance – is encompassing. Ministries and sectors are now busy to reach project readiness.
Mr Speaker, all talk about investment, tourism and economic growth, stability, human rights and the lot exists in a space. That space depends on one single component, that I call the vital ground – that is, democracy. The Coalition Government has and will continue to protect and promote democracy and the freedom and, the dignity of every individual citizen of this country. This is integral to stability, to confidence, to attracting investors, to sustaining businesses, to providing opportunities for our people to building futures. On this platform of democracy – we build our shared future. The work of the Constitutional Review Commission and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are integral to this.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, Fiji has faced hard times before. Each time, our people have shown resilience. But we must also plan, reform, invest and act with discipline. This is what the government is doing in this Budget.
The 2026-2027 National Budget recognizes that the road ahead will not be easy. It sees the world as it is, protects people where needed, invests where it is needed, and reforms where Government must do better.
It is a Budget for discipline, as we must learn to live within our means. It is for compassion, because families should not face global shocks alone. It is for growth, because jobs and investment are the foundation of lasting prosperity. It is for fairness, because the tax system must protect those with less and ask more of those with greater capacities.
To all our citizens, I say this: your government understands the pressures you face. We know the cost of living is real. We know jobs matter. We know that health, education, water, roads and safety are daily needs. We know the future must be built not for a few, but for all.
Together, let us build a stronger Fiji: one that protects its people, honors its obligations, grows its economy, strengthens its communities, and leaves no generation to carry the burden of decisions made without care.
Mr Speaker, I fully support the 2026-2027 National Budget and invite participation in this debate in confidence in the future of our beloved nation.
Thank you and God bless Fiji.