Parliamentary Opposition Chambers

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Hon. Semi Koroilavesau raised an innovative proposal for landowners in the western side of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu — as...
08/06/2026

Hon. Semi Koroilavesau raised an innovative proposal for landowners in the western side of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu — asking the government whether it has considered allowing landowners to invest in solar and feed power directly into the EFL grid, creating a new and sustainable income stream for landowners while helping address Fiji's energy needs.

07/06/2026

During this morning's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence hearing, Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Virendra Lal raised serious questions about the unequal distribution of grants from the Office of the Prime Minister — pointing out that one division received 112 projects while another received only 21.

The response from officials confirmed that grant approvals are largely driven by commitments made personally by the Prime Minister during rural visits — raising important questions about transparency, fairness and whether all divisions are receiving equitable access to public funds.

PRESS RELEASE: LEADER OF OPPOSITION – HON. INIA SERUIRATUI welcome the Government's announcement guaranteeing a sugarcan...
07/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE: LEADER OF OPPOSITION – HON. INIA SERUIRATU

I welcome the Government's announcement guaranteeing a sugarcane price of $85 per tonne for the 2026 crop season.

This decision will provide much needed certainty and relief to our cane farmers and their families who continue to face increasing fuel, harvesting, transportation and other production costs. For many farming communities, this announcement will offer reassurance as they prepare for the commencement of the 2026 crushing season.

The Opposition has consistently maintained that the welfare of cane farmers must remain at the centre of all decisions concerning the sugar industry. Just last week, I wrote to the Honourable Prime Minister requesting an audience to discuss concerns relating to the 2026 sugar crushing season and the broader challenges confronting the industry. In that correspondence, I highlighted the importance of the industry to thousands of cane farmers, mill workers, transport operators and their families and stressed the need for urgent engagement with key stakeholders on issues affecting the sector.

I am pleased that the concerns raised by farmers and industry stakeholders regarding the adequacy of cane payments have been acknowledged. The guaranteed price will help ease some of the financial pressures currently being experienced across the sector.

While this announcement is welcomed, it should also serve as a reminder of the broader challenges facing the sugar industry. Declining cane production, rising operational costs, labour shortages, transportation difficulties and uncertainty surrounding the long-term viability of the sector require sustained attention and collaborative solutions.

The sugar industry remains a vital pillar of our economy and an important source
of livelihood for thousands of Fijian families. It is therefore essential that Government, industry stakeholders, landowners, mill operators, transport providers and farmers continue to work together to develop practical and sustainable measures that will restore confidence and growth in the sector.

On behalf of the Opposition, I congratulate our cane farmers for their resilience and dedication and wish them a safe and successful 2026 crushing season.

MEDIA STATEMENT Hon. Viam Pillay THE FSC BOARD HAS FAILED OUR FARMERS: WE NEED ACTION, NOT EXCUSES It is a welcome de...
07/06/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT
Hon. Viam Pillay

THE FSC BOARD HAS FAILED OUR FARMERS: WE NEED ACTION, NOT EXCUSES

It is a welcome development to see the FSC Board and management finally travel to Suva to present the urgent realities of our cane farmers to the Ministry of Sugar. However, let us be clear: this action only happened after I raised these issues on behalf of our families. The FSC Board was fully aware of the coming crisis and kept quiet. Why did they not lobby for a better forecast price before it was announced? Who are they trying to fool.

The FSC Board has failed our farmers in too many areas, and the Chair, Nitya Reddy, is clearly not fit for this role. You cannot play with the hearts and minds of poor farmers, saying one thing while doing another. The trust is gone. We have seen this same pattern of changing statements and empty promises since the time of the previous minister, and it is time for this Board to be held accountable for the state of our industry.

Above all else, the delivery price is paramount. It is the single most critical factor for every farmer’s survival. I have already broken down the hard, unavoidable facts regarding the cost to deliver cane. These are tangible expenses that farmers begin incurring next week. As it stands, the current payment structure ensures that every farmer will be operating at a loss. Farmers are being forced into a position where they must borrow money just to start the season. While the Sugar Cane Growers Fund offers financial services to assist growers, it is an indictment of the system that such debt is even required. This is assistance that should never have been necessary in the first place.

We remember the promise of 110 dollars per tonne made prior to the 2022 elections. Now that a guaranteed minimum price of 85 dollars per tonne has been set, the forecast price must be adjusted to reflect this. The Sugar Industry Tribunal and the FSC must provide urgent clarification on how this guarantee translates into a new delivery payment. For the delivery payment to increase to above 50 dollars per tonne, the forecast price must be adjusted. Furthermore, we require an immediate, official announcement regarding concrete fuel rebates for lorries and standardized, fair rates for mechanical harvesters.

I am calling on these authorities to announce a new forecast, a new delivery payment, and these specific relief measures immediately. Once these figures are officially adjusted, farmers should prepare for the 2026 harvesting season. I urge our farmers: do not boycott. A boycott will only hurt us in the long run. We must move forward, but we do so only when the financial reality is made clear.

We expect the FSC to stop the games, fix the delivery and forecast prices, and provide the tangible support that is required to sustain this season.

Government must allocate funding to Fiji Early Childhood Teachers Association (FECTA) and Fiji Council of Special & Incl...
07/06/2026

Government must allocate funding to Fiji Early Childhood Teachers Association (FECTA) and Fiji Council of Special & Inclusive Educators (FCOSIE) for members professional development and capacity building.

These two important associations did not receive grant in the last budget whereas , Fiji Head Teachers Association, Fiji Principals Association and School Management Association of Fiji received grant for professional development and capacity building of their members in 2025-2026.

Why Fiji Early Childhood Teachers Association and Fiji Council of Special & Inclusive Educators Association was not allocated similar funding?
Are these two Associations not important?
I am urging Government not to discriminate against the teachers of these two important associations and allocate funding in the 2026- 2027 budget.

Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Hem Chand spoke on behalf of persons with disabilities, their families and caregive...
06/06/2026

Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Hem Chand spoke on behalf of persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers across Fiji — reminding Parliament that the true measure of a nation is not found in its roads, buildings or economic growth, but in how it supports its most vulnerable people.

Leader of the Opposition Hon. Inia Seruiratu spoke in support of the Statistics Bill — emphasising that evidence based d...
06/06/2026

Leader of the Opposition Hon. Inia Seruiratu spoke in support of the Statistics Bill — emphasising that evidence based decision making and strong data and statistics are critical for good governance and effective policy formulation, and that the lack of quality data remains one of the key weaknesses of small island developing states like Fiji.

Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Alvick Maharaj called out the government's failure to support thousands of taxi and...
05/06/2026

Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Alvick Maharaj called out the government's failure to support thousands of taxi and minibus operators who are bearing the full brunt of record fuel prices — with zero subsidy and zero targeted relief from this government.

Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Jone Usamate pressed the government for straight answers on its fuel crisis conting...
05/06/2026

Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Jone Usamate pressed the government for straight answers on its fuel crisis contingency plan — demanding to know exactly what the different alert levels are and what specific measures government will use at each level, rather than vague assurances that contingencies exist.

Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Alvick Maharaj is calling on cane farmers to begin cutting their cane while urging ...
04/06/2026

Opposition Member of Parliament Hon. Alvick Maharaj is calling on cane farmers to begin cutting their cane while urging politicians who are telling farmers to boycott the harvest to stop playing politics with the livelihoods of ordinary Fijian families.

I strongly urge our hard-working cane farmers across the country to begin cutting their cane. There is widespread anxiety regarding the forecasted price, but let us be absolutely clear: this is a forecast price, not the final word. History and economic reality show that under no circumstances can or will the final payout remain at this base line, the government has to inevitably step in to ensure a higher, more sustainable price for our growers.

However, we must bridge the immediate gap. The current logistical reality demands that the government provide adequate, immediate financial support right now to cater for the season's start. Farmers need cash in hand to cover transport, cutting labor, and initial operational costs. I call on the relevant ministries to ensure this startup assistance is deployed without delay.

Finally, I want to address those political figures who are currently exploiting this sensitive period for their own gain. To those politicians telling farmers to boycott the harvest and leave their cane in the fields:

Stop playing politics with the livelihoods of our people.

When a farmer leaves their crop to rot, it is not these grandstanding politicians who will put food on their family's table. If the cane is not harvested, nothing gets paid, and our rural families are the ones who suffer the consequences while politicians continue to live their normal life. Remember he wont bring food to the table your harvest will.

Let us put the welfare of our farmers ahead of political point-scoring.
Let the harvest begin, lets work collectively, and Opposition will continue to pressure government to secure the highest possible final price for our growers.

Hon Alvick Maharaj


Hon Alvick Maharaj

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Suva

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