Govt spends $64K on PM, Ministers’ independence trips abroad

Government spent $64,813.67 sending the Prime Minister, five ministers and an assistant minister abroad to celebrate Fiji's Independence Day with the diaspora last month.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s response to a written question in Parliament this week revealed the breakdown of costs for the overseas celebrations.

Justice Minister Siromi Turaga's visit to Wellington, New Zealand cost $11,783.84, making it the most expensive ministerial trip.

Information Minister Lynda Tabuya's travel to Limestone Coast, South Australia cost $11,551.68, while Assistant Health Minister Penioni Ravunawa's trip to Geelong, Australia totalled $10,500.55.

Mr Rabuka's own visit to Sydney cost $8,899.95, while Youth and Sports Minister Jese Saukuru's travel expenses amounted to $8,583.93.

Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh's Geelong trip totalled $7,165.72, and Women's Minister Sashi Kiran's Auckland visit cost $6,328.00.

The Independence Day celebrations saw Government officials travel to multiple countries over the long weekend in October to mark Fiji's 55th Independence anniversary with Fijian communities abroad.

The ministerial travel costs come amid ongoing public scrutiny over Government spending on overseas trips.

In Sydney, the Prime Minister thanked the diaspora for their $448.5 million in remittances during the first four months of this year.

The costs provided were supplied by the respective ministries.

The overseas presence raised questions about whether taxpayer funds were being used appropriately.

The Government maintains these visits strengthen ties with Fiji's diaspora communities abroad.

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