Opposition MP questions rationale behind huge Cabinet

Opposition MP Hem Chand recently publicly criticized the Fijian government's cabinet size as excessively large, pointing out that it has "created the highest ministerial payroll in Fiji's history." He emphasized that such a large cabinet stems from the unprecedented appointment of 34 ministers and assistant ministers. This has led to questions about the government's fiscal responsibility.

In his parliamentary address, Mr. Chand mentioned that President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere had emphasized a commitment to accountability, transparency, and good governance practices during the opening of Parliament in 2025. Mr. Chand expressed his agreement with the President's views, but also pointed out that the public generally believes the coalition government has not genuinely practiced good governance. This disconnect between rhetoric and reality is concerning to many Fijians.

Mr. Chand further pointed out that the public is concerned about the government's decision to expand the cabinet to an unprecedented 34 ministers and assistant ministers. "Never in Fiji's history has such a high proportion of parliamentarians held ministerial positions, even higher than some developed countries." He believes that such a large cabinet size lacks justification, whether from the perspective of Fiji's population of less than one million or from the size of the legislative body. The sheer number of ministers raises questions about efficiency and necessity.

Mr. Chand questioned, "Who will bear this cost? Undoubtedly, the taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill." He emphasized that the rationale for such a cabinet expansion is incomprehensible at a time when ordinary Fijians are facing severe living difficulties, including an increase in value-added tax. This raises questions about the government's priorities and whether this expansion truly serves the public interest. Focusing on expanding the cabinet seems misguided when critical issues such as poverty, high cost of living, rising crime rates, deteriorating infrastructure, and inadequate healthcare services urgently require attention and financial resources. The government's priorities should be re-evaluated.

Mr. Chand called on the government to prioritize addressing the critical issues facing the nation, rather than merely pursuing political expediency, and to adopt a more rational and responsible approach to governance. The government should invest limited resources in solving people's livelihood problems and improving public services, rather than simply maintaining a large bureaucracy. This shift in focus would demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of the Fijian people.