Need help from Govt? Take a means test
A MEANS TEST IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO REALLY NEED THE ASSISTANCE ARE THE ONES GETTING IT.
There is no doubt that squatters or informal settlements are an issue in Fiji. In almost every Parliament sitting, there has been a question asked from the Opposition on when several of the squatter or informal settlements would be regularised. But, before we continue with Government’s efforts to regularise these settlements, meaning Government bears the cost of subdividing land and then giving out leases at no cost at all to the occupants of these land, we need to prepare a means test.
A means test is very important to ensure that those who really need the assistance are the ones getting it. Fact is, many people who are residing in squatter settlements earn a good living. Some earn better than those who are toiling hard to pay off their mortgages for their land and properties. One just needs to walk about in some of these settlements to see how many cars are parked outside each of the houses. That is just one thing. People have often marvelled how many people who bought their land through the Housing Authority ¬– land reserved for low income earners – have been able to go on to build houses, which does not reflect their earning capacity as told to the Housing Authority. There are people among us who are taking advantage of the help made available. People are known to have been renting out their houses built in squatter settlements, while they reside elsewhere.
Then, there are those who have been selling off their houses built on squatter land and one of things they tell potential buyers is how far work has progressed by Government on providing proper leases.
What will a means test do? A means test would require every person to provide thorough details of their earnings. A legally binding declaration would be made, and those who lie on this should be taken to task.
There are people who genuinely deserve assistance, but there are those who deliberately do not help themselves knowing that Government would be providing all assistance free of charge.
A means test could be one way of identifying those who should be helped.
A means test would require every person to provide thorough details of their earnings.