Rabuka Declares War on Poverty

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has declared war on poverty, telling Parliament that its days are numbered as the Coalition Government presses ahead with its national development agenda.

“As your Prime Minister, Sir, I say to the enemy, your days are numbered. The economic ground is undulating. Opportunities are unequal.”

In his response to the 2025–2026 National Budget debate yesterday, Mr Rabuka described poverty as the enemy of the nation, wearing many uniforms, from low GDP to institutional weakness.

“This is our mission. The enemy wears many uniforms, low GDP, a lack of industry and innovation, an underprepared workforce, declining morale and unequal opportunities. These are features of our enemy, which is poverty,” Mr Rabuka said.

He said the Budget represented the Government’s commitment under the National Development Plan 2025–2029 (Vision 2050) — to empower the people of Fiji through unity and reclaim the nation’s potential.

The Prime Minister gave a sobering assessment of the economy inherited by the Coalition.

“We inherited an economy marked by debt distress, weakened institutions and disempowered public service, further undermined by a pervasive lack of professional integrity and unethical practises in civil service, characterised by inefficiency and a culture of arrogance, resistance to accountability and reform.”

He further criticised past leadership decisions that, in his words, had robbed Fijians of trust and opportunity.

“The cost of poor leadership, politicised procurement and over-centralisation of power has not only deepened inequality, it has robbed our people of creativity and trust.”

Mr Rabuka said the mission now is to reduce poverty, strengthen the economy, and promote inclusive growth across all sectors.

“The enemy of poverty is not absent. It threatens livelihood, dignity and sovereignty. Metaphorically, it is the mission of the Coalition Government, led by me as your Prime Minister, to reduce poverty, lift our economic growth, inject industry, entrepreneurship and innovation, boost workforce morale and improve opportunities for all our citizens, particularly those segments of our society deserving evidence-based development imperative interventions.” He also touched on the challenges within the legal and administrative systems.

“The system is cumbersome. New legislations are needed, while some need to be either validated or repealed. And that starts from the parent law.”

Addressing economic inequality, Mr Rabuka challenged the narrative that iTaukei are resource-rich but economically poor.

“Indigenous Fijians, the iTaukei, have been labelled as resources rich but poor. We, the indigenous people, must refuse to accept that label.”

He cited figures from iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) and remittance data to show the scale of income flowing to iTaukei households.

“The indigenous people of Fiji receive $100 million annually from TLTB leases and royalties, $1.07 billion from remittances, which is 80 per cent of the total remittances of $1.34 billion received, an estimated $350 million from wages and salaries.”

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