Supplementary budget not solution, says Biman
WAITING for a coronavirus supplementary budget is not the solution to shut out the COVID-19 pandemic from our shores, says National Federation Party leader Prof Biman Prasad.
Prof Prasad said Government must not wait for the implementation of the supplementary budget, which would only happen at the earliest in almost a month’s time, provided it was passed by Parliament on April 9.
“In any case, government says the supplementary budget is a response to coronavirus. So it is planning for the few months ahead until the end of the financial year on 31st July,” he said.
“What is needed immediately is more than the piecemeal policies government is implementing and hoping it will stave off COVID-19.
“It is to be proactive and pragmatic to boost the confidence of all our people in the ability of their government to ensure their daily routine and livelihood is not disrupted while staying safe from this pandemic.”
In a statement issued last night, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said not to politicise the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Do not stigmatise or discriminate against any of your fellow citizens. Do not sensationalise information. Do not spread fake news at the expense of public health, the economy and the jobs and livelihoods of our people,” Mr Bainimarama said.
He said this was not a time for panic, but a time for prudence.
He said Government had already made a number of critical unbudgeted expenditures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“But it’s clear we need to reassess our spending priorities for the remainder of the financial year,” he said.
“The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy will announce a COVID-19 Response Budget on the 26th of March — where we’ll lay out our financial game plan for protecting our people and supporting Fijian businesses and livelihoods through what will undoubtedly be a difficult period.
“Ahead of that response budget, he’ll be sitting down with the FNPF and banks to discuss ways to mitigate the impact the COVID-19 global economic slowdown is having – and will continue to have – on individual Fijian workers and their families.”