Unity Fiji pledges to cut overseas travel for ministers if elected

Unity Fiji Party (UFP) will reduce overseas travel for government ministers if it wins the next general election.

In an interview in iTaukei, party leader Savenaca Narube said this would be implemented if he became Fiji’s next Prime Minister.

He said past governments and the current coalition Government had made many false promises.

“But when they are in government, everything changes because they have been getting good money in their pockets,” Mr Narube, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji,
said.

“I have worked for a long time for this nation and have held positions of leadership. I know the type of leadership that manages finance well to protect our economy. I have
worked in Government and witnessed how finances were managed.

“Some overseas travel is useful, as the Prime Minister and ministers need to attend certain events.

The concern now is that most overseas travel is of no use.

“Why does Government allow these overseas travels? Some have been approved just to please each other.

“Why allow them to go when they know it is useless? When I am in leadership, I will minimise overseas travel. Unity Fiji will change that.”

Mr Narube said he would prefer the High Commissioner of Fiji in the relevant country to attend events instead.

“We set overseas travel during budget allocations. We properly arrange the trips that a minister needs to attend. When a ministry submits its budget, these trips need to be included. We need to discuss whether it is right for that particular minister to travel, or whether we can use our High Commissioner to attend the event.

“Allowance is just a policy, not a law, so it is up to the leadership. This Government said we had to minimise the $3000 overseas travel allowance, but why didn’t they do so? It was because they were getting good benefits in their pockets.

“I am making a promise that I will do this because I think of our nation and the people.”

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