Seruiratu to Prasad: Where’s the Cabinet Cut You Promised?

Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has accused Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad of abandoning his own calls for a leaner Cabinet now that he is in power.

In his response to the 2025–2026 National Budget in Parliament, Mr Seruiratu reminded the House of Mr Prasad’s past fiery criticisms of ministerial perks and Cabinet size when he was in Opposition.

“Where are all those words now?” Mr Seruiratu asked.

He quoted Mr Biman Prasad’s 2018 promise where he said: “We will be cutting Ministerial salaries and allowances, we will be cutting out the international conferences and jet-setting. We will keep Ministers at home to focus on making life better for the Fijians.”

“Honourable Speaker, Sir, I hope that the Honourable Finance Minister can commit to this with the appropriate actions,” Mr Seruiratu added.

In January this year, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expanded Cabinet by appointing three additional ministers and four assistant ministers from among independent opposition members. This brought the total to 22 ministers and 12 assistant ministers.

Mr Seruiratu suggested this expansion contradicts the Finance Minister’s past advocacy for financial restraint.

Prasad Responds

In response, Mr Prasad dismissed the criticism, describing it as “childish.”

“It is not an NFP government. It is a coalition government,” Mr Prasad said.

“It is now a government of four groups. And so the imperative of running a very stable coalition government required the honourable Prime Minister to have a larger Cabinet. That’s acceptable.

“So his attack on me as leader of NFP and what I promised when I was in Opposition is a bit unfair. If it was an NFP government alone, then those criticisms would be valid.”

The exchange has reignited debate over fiscal discipline and political accountability within Fiji’s multiparty coalition government.