The 2015 Budget and the Appropriation Bill was passed by Fiji's Parliament without the presence of Opposition Members who walked out prior to the consideration of the Budget Estimates. Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said it was a pity that the Opposition led by leader Ro Teimumu Kepa walked out of today’s proceedings.
“It really is quite a pity that they decided to take what I would call a very imbecilic approach to the whole of the budgetary process; the opposition is always there to ensure that they scrutinise the appropriation bill that is put before parliament and indeed of course the estimates,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
He said that was the Opposition’s role in Parliament, however their position was that because there were few typographical errors that were carried out that existed, therefore the entire budget had to be resubmitted. Opposition Whip, Ratu Isoa Tikoca said the order was unconstitutional and they cannot continue to debate because of that. “We’re walking out because it’s unconstitutional and we must tell the people of Fiji that we cannot proceed based on its constitutionality,” Tikoca told FijiLive.
Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa in a press conference said they tried their best to work with Government and when they raised their point of orders, they weren’t heard. “We can’t go on with what’s not legal and not right,” Ro Teimumu said.
National Federation Party Leader and Member of Opposition Professor Biman Prasad said they had no option but to make the point in the manner they did because government did not take the opportunity they had, to correct what the opposition had identified in the tabling of the estimates. Opposition Member Viliame Gavoka said all they wanted was for Government to have a re-look at the budget as what they were doing was all in the name of credibility. Opposition also announced that they would divorce themselves from any budget talks.
Meanwhile Government ministers took time out at the Grand Pacific Hotel after the Parliament session to celebrate their success in the passing of the National Budget. Source, Fijilive, 8 December 2012
“It really is quite a pity that they decided to take what I would call a very imbecilic approach to the whole of the budgetary process; the opposition is always there to ensure that they scrutinise the appropriation bill that is put before parliament and indeed of course the estimates,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
He said that was the Opposition’s role in Parliament, however their position was that because there were few typographical errors that were carried out that existed, therefore the entire budget had to be resubmitted. Opposition Whip, Ratu Isoa Tikoca said the order was unconstitutional and they cannot continue to debate because of that. “We’re walking out because it’s unconstitutional and we must tell the people of Fiji that we cannot proceed based on its constitutionality,” Tikoca told FijiLive.
Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa in a press conference said they tried their best to work with Government and when they raised their point of orders, they weren’t heard. “We can’t go on with what’s not legal and not right,” Ro Teimumu said.
National Federation Party Leader and Member of Opposition Professor Biman Prasad said they had no option but to make the point in the manner they did because government did not take the opportunity they had, to correct what the opposition had identified in the tabling of the estimates. Opposition Member Viliame Gavoka said all they wanted was for Government to have a re-look at the budget as what they were doing was all in the name of credibility. Opposition also announced that they would divorce themselves from any budget talks.
Meanwhile Government ministers took time out at the Grand Pacific Hotel after the Parliament session to celebrate their success in the passing of the National Budget. Source, Fijilive, 8 December 2012
CELEBRATION: Government Ministers & MPs following the passing of the 2015 National Budget in Parliament
Fiji First Party has just posted a comment on your blog post, 'Imbecilic' walkout': Fiji's Opposition gives up the fight and walks out of Parliament over 2015 Budget!:
Every Single member of this Chor Party Government must understand that you are also a member of a Party with a STOLEN name. Where is your self respect and dignity – that today you are counted as a THIEF?
And there, seated centered stage, amongst the ladies, suited diffidently in grey, trying to look dignified, is that pitiable ‘Intellectual Property CHOR’, the Rigged Honorable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (the CHOR).
And now is this CHOR - the Minister of Money of our country.? God Bless Fiji.
Every Single member of this Chor Party Government must understand that you are also a member of a Party with a STOLEN name. Where is your self respect and dignity – that today you are counted as a THIEF?
And there, seated centered stage, amongst the ladies, suited diffidently in grey, trying to look dignified, is that pitiable ‘Intellectual Property CHOR’, the Rigged Honorable Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (the CHOR).
And now is this CHOR - the Minister of Money of our country.? God Bless Fiji.
