People Need Better Wages, Decent Hospitals: Tabuya

Our people need better wages, decent hospitals, solid homes, roads that do not crumble after a few months, and genuine justice for the wrongs of the past.

Government backbencher Lynda Tabuya made this call in Parliament, highlighting the urgent need for change in Fiji’s socioeconomic landscape.

Ms Tabuya said that these issues needed swift solutions and it was important that leaders prioritise them.

“Let me be clear, they should not have to wait forever. Let this be our moment to recognise what is at stake,” Ms Tabuya said.

“We were elected to make a real difference in people’s lives, not to seek fame or personal comfort. So, I stand by Ratu Naiqama’s call that we must keep our eyes focussed on the work ahead. Make no mistake, there is much work to be done, and it will not be easy,” she said.

“This is not the time to pat ourselves on the back and say, ‘We’ve won, let’s enjoy the power’. No! Our results, not our speeches or our titles, will judge us.”

She called for humility and determination from all leaders, stating the importance of action over rhetoric.

“It is not enough to point out what is wrong. We must propose solutions and make sure they see the light of day,” she said.

“Our results, not our speeches or our titles, will judge us.”

Ms Tabuya expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support she has received from her family, her party, and the Prime Minister.

“Their faith reminds me why we fought so hard for a Fiji where people can speak their minds freely,” she said.

Public office challenges

Ms Tabuya also reflected on the challenges of public service, where she admitted the difficulties she has faced throughout her career.

“I have fallen short. I have stumbled in the face of criticism, and I felt the sting of personal attacks,” she said.

“We are human. We are not perfect, and we do fall short.”

She recalled some of the most difficult times of her political journey, including her arrest for speaking out.

“I remember lying in a cold cell at Totogo, charged for daring to speak out. I remember counting the cracks on the wall, wondering if it was worth it,” she said.

Despite these hardships, she reaffirmed her unwavering commitment to serve the people of Fiji.

“In those darkest hours, I came back to the same answer - I do this to serve the people of Fiji. Service is why we are all here,” Ms Tabuya added.

She also stressed that public service was not about personal gain or recognition, but about making a difference in people’s lives.

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