Remove fuel tax now, says Opposition MP

Independent Opposition MP Ketan Lal has called on the Government to immediately remove fuel taxes, warning that rising diesel prices will push up the cost of food, goods and essential services for ordinary Fijians.

His call comes as fuel prices increased across the country from June 1, with diesel rising by up to 77 cents a litre and petrol by around 80 cents a litre following the latest review by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC).

Mr Lal said the impact of fuel price increases extended far beyond motorists.

“The Rabuka Government cannot continue pretending that fuel price increases only affect motorists. Every loaf of bread, every bag of rice, every carton of milk, every building material, and most essential service in Fiji is transported by diesel-powered trucks,” he said.

“When diesel prices rise, transport costs rise. When transport costs rise, businesses pass those costs on to consumers. The end result is simple - ordinary Fijian families pay more at the supermarket, pay more for goods, and pay more for basic services.”

Mr Lal criticised the Government for not providing what he described as meaningful relief measures to consumers facing rising living costs.

“Instead of reducing fuel taxes or providing meaningful relief, they continue to talk big with less action and watch as the cost of living spirals further out of control,” he said.

“The harsh reality is that these fuel increases are not being paid by trucking companies. They are not being paid by large corporations. They are being paid by hardworking mothers and fathers who are already struggling to put food on the table.”

Mr Lal said vulnerable groups, including market vendors, farmers, shop workers, security guards and pensioners, would feel the greatest impact of the price hikes.

“Government ministers can afford rising fuel costs with their salaries and allowances. The ordinary market vendor, cane farmer, shop worker, security guard, and pensioner cannot.”

He questioned what measures had been put in place to protect consumers from the flow-on effects of rising fuel prices.

“The question every Fijian should ask is this: if the Rabuka Government knew fuel prices would impact the entire supply chain, what measures did they put in place to protect consumers before prices started rising?

“So far, the answer appears to be shocking.”

Mr Lal said Fijians deserved direct action to address rising costs.

“The people of Fiji deserve action, not excuses. They deserve lower taxes, genuine cost-of-living relief, and a Government that understands that every increase in diesel fuel eventually ends up on the dinner table of every household in this country.”

FCCC has attributed the latest fuel price increases to volatile international fuel markets, rising freight costs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

“The June 2026 adjustment reflects unprecedented volatility in international fuel markets over the past two months, driven by global forces beyond Fiji's control,” FCCC said.