‘Let Love Shine’

remuneration for all Parliamentarians.”

Mr Rabuka also justified the decision to appoint 10 assistant ministers for his Government.

He said it was to provide additional ministerial power needed for the enormous job of “putting things right in virtually all aspects of our nation’s life”.

Mr Rabuka remarked that dialogue would be the hallmark for the progress they would make.

“In our Cabinet the Prime Minister will be the leader, we will let the public know when we reschedule to meet,” Mr Rabuka said.

“The views of all ministers will be heard; robust debate is essential for the best outcomes.

“I will have a briefing for the media after each cabinet meeting to explain our decision, accompanied by other ministers when this is appropriate.”

USP grants

Mr Rabuka also disclosed that conversations surrounding the University of the South Pacific (USP) overdue payments would be addressed accordingly.

“I have spoken with the Minister of Finance, Honourable Professor Biman Prasad, about sourcing the funds to settle our overdue payment to the USP,” Mr Rabuka said. “We’ll keep you updated on this important matter.

“It is a priority of the Coalition Government to restore the ‘Pacific Way’ in fostering trust and understanding within and outside the region.”

The chairmanship for Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) will now be chaired by Mr Rabuka, of which prioritising engagement of diplomacy would be his focus.

“My Government is now focused on initial strategies that will help set our course for the next four years.”

Great Citizen Assembly

Mr Rabuka said in their first 100 days in office, they intend to convene a ‘great citizen assembly’ involving Fijians from all walks of life and political persuasions.

“Its agenda is to add to the manifesto and vision statements of our PA-NFP-SODELPA coalition,” Mr Rabuka said. “We will seek from the delegates their ideas and concepts to complement our plans for building a better, more prosperous and happier nation.”

The new Government intends to establish specialist reviews in four key areas:

■ The Constitution and legal reform;

■ The economy;

■ Defence and national security; and

■ A forensic examination of the spending of the FijiFirst Government.

Mr Rabuka disclosed that each review team would include people with expert knowledge, where the teams are expected to report to the appropriate cabinet member.

Debt for Fiji

Fiji’s public finances were also a matter for disclosure by Mr Rabuka.

He said that Government debt may now be above $10 billion. He remarked this was a “huge burden” for a small economy like Fiji.

“The Minister of Finance will soon be sharing with me and Cabinet, the exact nature of the problem,” Mr Rabuka said. “He will examine cash flow issues and structure of debt payment.”

Other tasks at hand

Mr Rabuka also outlined some specific tasks the new Government would be venturing into.

This includes:

■ A review of investments in land, especially the large areas administered by the iTaukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB). There is wealth locked in the land that can be generated for the benefit of the owners and the country;

■ A study of various contentious laws to determine whether they should be repealed or amended;

■ An enquiry into the overall financial strength of the Fiji National Provident Fund and the impact of some of its decisions on individual members and pensioners;

■ A study of the new financial arrangement for the operations of the Lautoka and Ba Hospitals;

■ Disbursement of foreign aid money; and

■ Concerns about certain media outlets receiving substantial amounts of public money, apparently in return for favourable, slanted coverage, of the last Government. “I stress however, we have a total commitment to media freedom and the part it plays in our democracy,” Mr Rabuka said.

Public holidays

Fiji could see the reinstatement of two prominent holidays added to the national calendar.

“Some months ago, I made a pledge to legislate for a Girmit Day public holiday to honour the settlers from India who began arriving here from 1879,” Mr Rabuka said.

“We will reinstate Ratu Sukuna Day, the monumental work of this illustrious traditional leader on land reform has had a continuing beneficial effect on the landowners, the economy, the sugar industry, business and investment.

“There is one initiative, however, that I wish to leave with you this evening. It is the policy we have called ‘Let Love Shine’.”