30/04/2026
๐๐จ๐ง. ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐
๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐: ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
Suva, Fiji โ In response to the recent Ministerial Statement on the Family Assistance Scheme (FAS), I want to reiterate our fundamental belief that government support must extend to all struggling Fijian families, not just a select few.
While we acknowledge efforts to strengthen the FAS, I cannot support a system that, under the guise of "modernisation," overlooks the plight of our hardworking middle-income families. These are the thousands of Fijians in the 11th and 12th percentiles who, despite their efforts, are still grappling with economic hardship. They are falling through the cracks, and it is our duty to ensure they are caught.
As I stated in Parliament, the safety net must be wide enough to protect everyone who is falling. A truly compassionate government looks at the person, not just the spreadsheet. We must move beyond narrow targeting and embrace an inclusive approach that recognizes the dynamic nature of poverty and vulnerability.
Our focus should always be on the well-being of every Fijian. Let us work together to build a social protection system that genuinely leaves no one behind.
