Christ Can Solve Deficit Budget: Tanya Waqanika

Christ would have solved a deficit budget, says Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) Member of Parliament, Tanya Waqanika.

While delivering her response to the 2022-2023 National Budget, Ms Waqanika also said: “Only the Christians of this nation can vote for a God-fearing party that will bring back the name of Jesus in the parliamentary prayer."

“This is what stands the problems of our nation including this deficit budget; it can be resolved when we put Christ first,” he said.

“I cannot comprehend how the Christians who supported the FijiFirst Government have accepted this.”

Ms Waqanika claimed that reinstating the need to put Jesus Christ at the helm of operations would solve the issues faced by the nation.

“I guess they fear this Government more than the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,” she said.

“When we remove Christ as the head of our nation, would remove his blessings and discoveries.”

She further claimed that more iTaukei compared to “Indians” were being sent to Australia under the Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme.

Opposition parliamentarian Mosese Bulitavu labelled the comment made by Ms Waqanika as disrespectful.

“She should have retracted her statement rather than trying to arguing knowing that she was at the wrong,” he said.

Race Card

Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum made it clear in Parliament that there were no ‘Indians’ in Fiji as everyone has been recognised as Fijians under the law.

In a heated exchange, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum interrupt- ed comments made by Ms Waqanika during her response.

Ms Waqanika was speaking on the Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme where she referred to the iTaukei and “Indian” races having a drop in their population. She also cited a poverty report which was later corrected by the World Bank.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum raised a point of order and said ‘no Indians’ were being abroad only Fijians.

Under the 2013 Constitution, everyone who holds a Fijian citizenship is recognised as a Fijian despite their race.

“She said Indians, so legally speaking and she’s a lawyer. She’s saying Indian that means she means people who are citizens of India."

“They see us all is Fijian citizens. We are all Fijians.” National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad said Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was correct.

Mr Prasad said there are no more Indians as everyone are now Fijian citizens. “She was referring to the iTaukei is and Indo-Fijians, she then said Indians,” Mr Prasad said.

“I mean, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum was just trying to say there are no Indian citizens. Officially, he was correct. We are now called Fijians, there are no more Indians,” he said.

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