*There were no questions to Prasad on the $200,000 he gave to his wife and Ganesh Chand during the Girmit celebrations
*No question on Fiji Water tax concession.
*No question on the cost to Fiji Airways flying 'Pilgrims' into Israel, and later out of that country after the Hamas attack on 7 October.
*Expectedly, Prasad accused Indo-Fijians of being inverse 'racists'. When asked about the racially-based appointments, Prasad chose to repeat Rabuka's line that 'those who are talking about race are racists themselves'.
*In 1980, while rejecting Ratu Mara's proposal for a 'Government of National Unity', Jai Ram Reddy complained that the Alliance Party run government had embarked on a systematic policy to staff the upper echelons of the government with i-Taukei personnel, while it publicly espoused a policy of multiracialism:
'While multi-racial is still espoused, it is now very much a matter of slogans. There is very little multiracialism at work. This is reflected in all aspects of government work and activities, from its composition, its development strategies, appointments to boards, promotions in the Civil Service, its Crown lands policy, everywhere.'
Fijileaks to Biman Prasad: Was your predecessor Reddy a RACIST?
LISTEN TO HIS RACIST RANT: |  |
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Labour wants FICAC to investigate Girmit funding
FLP’s Delegates Conference wants a complaint lodged with FICAC to investigate the $200,000 allocation to the Global Girmit Institute (GGI) for Girmit celebrations in May this year.
This follows allegations that moneys have been misused and that payments have been made to a discredited organization headed by the Finance Minister’s wife and his political associates.
The Conference in Nadi last Saturday noted that the investigation promised by Attorney General Siromi Toraga (Fiji Sun 16 May 2023) following concerns raised by the people, have not got off the ground some 6 months after it was announced.
Repeated calls for details of the expenditure for the Girmit celebrations, including the international Girmit conference organisaed by the GGI, have been ignored.
This is despite assurances by the Prime Minister as well as the Finance Minister that accounts would be released for public scrutiny following wide public concerns on the matter.
“Yes the matter will be taken up with FICAC as directed by the Conference,”said Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
FLP’s Delegates Conference wants a complaint lodged with FICAC to investigate the $200,000 allocation to the Global Girmit Institute (GGI) for Girmit celebrations in May this year.
This follows allegations that moneys have been misused and that payments have been made to a discredited organization headed by the Finance Minister’s wife and his political associates.
The Conference in Nadi last Saturday noted that the investigation promised by Attorney General Siromi Toraga (Fiji Sun 16 May 2023) following concerns raised by the people, have not got off the ground some 6 months after it was announced.
Repeated calls for details of the expenditure for the Girmit celebrations, including the international Girmit conference organisaed by the GGI, have been ignored.
This is despite assurances by the Prime Minister as well as the Finance Minister that accounts would be released for public scrutiny following wide public concerns on the matter.
“Yes the matter will be taken up with FICAC as directed by the Conference,”said Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.
FIJI WATER: Labour calls for inquiry into 7-year Tax Holiday
Labour is calling for an independent inquiry into the 7-year corporate tax exemption granted to the fully foreign-owned company Fiji Water in the 2023/24 Budget.
The inquiry should also examine how the company was granted unlimited extraction licence against the advice of regulatory authorities which had recommended that a limit be placed on extraction to preserve the ground water table at sustainable levels.
This was one of four resolutions passed by the Party’s Delegates Conference last Saturday.
The conference noted with concern that three months before the Budget was tabled, Prime Minister Rabuka was hosted as a special guest of the owners of Fiji Water in Los Angeles, United States.
“The controversial concessions to this highly successful foreign company have not been satisfactorily explained by the Prime Minister or the Finance Minister.
“This raises serious questions of transparency and accountability,” the Party said.
“Many in the business community have expressed concern about the decision and its implications on tax equity and fiscal responsibility,” the resolution said.
Labour is calling for an independent inquiry into the 7-year corporate tax exemption granted to the fully foreign-owned company Fiji Water in the 2023/24 Budget.
The inquiry should also examine how the company was granted unlimited extraction licence against the advice of regulatory authorities which had recommended that a limit be placed on extraction to preserve the ground water table at sustainable levels.
This was one of four resolutions passed by the Party’s Delegates Conference last Saturday.
The conference noted with concern that three months before the Budget was tabled, Prime Minister Rabuka was hosted as a special guest of the owners of Fiji Water in Los Angeles, United States.
“The controversial concessions to this highly successful foreign company have not been satisfactorily explained by the Prime Minister or the Finance Minister.
“This raises serious questions of transparency and accountability,” the Party said.
“Many in the business community have expressed concern about the decision and its implications on tax equity and fiscal responsibility,” the resolution said.
