The Consumer Council of Fiji has welcomed Government’s emphasis in the 2017-2018 Budget on social protection with low-income earners, pensioners, youths, and the physically challenged.

The budget has been labelled clever, well thought and heavily focused towards improving the quality of lives of ordinary Fijians.

The 2017-2018 National Budget is one that will make many dreams of citizens come true.

“Fantastic. This is the best Budget I have seen, people have been talking about cost of living, etc. and it is all covered,” Consumer Council of Fiji chief executive officer, Premila Kumar, said.

“And there are so many aspects like the salary increases, minimum wage, electricity subsidy been given to the first hundred kilowatts,” she said.

“And for the third party compensation, the setting up of the accident commission where there will be no fault reward payments given out to the accident victim, is what no other government has ever done.

“The various announcements made by the Minister of Economy on the policies, duties, taxation will encourage socio-economic empowerment as a catalyst for a consumption driven economy.”

In addition she said the increase in income tax threshold from $16,000 to $30,000 and the minimum wage rate from $2.32 to $2.68 was the best news for the majority of the working population because less tax meant people would have more take-home pay.

The council has further commended the increment in social welfare pensions, Legal Aid Commission and the strict work of the Fiji Commerce Commission and Fiji Revenue and Customs Services.

“Overall, the Council sees the 2017-2018 national budget as one that will definitely boost consumer confidence in the marketplace with no drastic change in taxes and duties,” Ms Kumar said.

“A win for motor vehicle accident victims, is the establishment of Fiji Accident Compensation Commission is long over due.”

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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