Govt rules out mini-budget unless economy worsens

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Government will not need a mini-budget to fund the 2026 General Election and referendum unless the economic outlook worsens.

Mr Rabuka said the $18.2 million allocated for the 2026 General Election and $20 million for the Referendum in the 2026-2027 National Budget were sufficient for now.

“We cannot fundraise for the election,” Mr Rabuka told the Fiji Sun on Tuesday.

“The Budget we got was the budget for the year, considering all factors, the international economy, the national economy, the cost of living and all those things.”

He said Government had already frozen some public service positions and asked workers “to work a little longer, work a little harder” to manage costs.

Mr Rabuka said a mini-budget, and a further parliamentary session to approve it, would only be considered if conditions failed to improve by year’s end.

“If by the end of the year we see a brighter horizon, then we may have to use some of the funds to fund the election, which means we may have to have another budget session,” he said.

“But, at the moment, if we need to pull in the funds, we will, but from within the allocated funds for the year.”

The next General Election is expected between December 24, 2026, and the first week of February 2027, alongside a Referendum, both to be run by the Fijian Elections Office and Electoral Commission.