Bala calls for politics aside to rebuild confidence

Deputy Opposition Leader Parveen Bala has called on Government and the Opposition to work together to restore investor confidence, saying political division risks slowing Fiji's economic recovery.

Opening his Budget response in Parliament today, Mr Bala said confidence began with national leadership.

"A nation moves forward when its leaders move forward together."

He said confidence affected everyone, from ordinary workers to overseas investors.

"From the cane farmers to the tuna fishers to tourism worker to the taxi driver — as the base level of that confidence."

He warned that investors looked closely at political stability.

"If we as a government cannot demonstrate to them that we can work together and that we can deliver on building a nation for all Fijians, then we have lost them."

"Then we have overseas investors who do their country studies, and when they find a divided government, a country caught up in scandals and instability, they move on."

Mr Bala said Fiji's economic challenges were too significant for partisan politics.

"The challenges before us are greater than politics."

He urged Parliament to adopt a nation-building approach focused on fiscal responsibility, stronger institutions and improved public services.

"Our people expect us to bring our best ideas, not our loudest voices."

"They expect us to build bridges, not walls."

Mr Bala concluded by reaffirming the Opposition's willingness to work constructively with Government.

"Let us choose partnership over division, progress over stagnation, and unity over discord."