WEEKEND READING.
I hope to have more on the Budget and the Government's previous notice to delay minimum wage increases for a further six months over the weekend or early next week. ♦ Allen Lockington column
♦ Why the West Is Losing the Pacific to China, the Arab League, and Just About Everyone Els
♦ Fr Kevin Barr on the Wages Councils
♦ Why We Need Good Leaders by Sudarsan Kant
PM NOT ILL, DYING OR DEAD: JUST LIES. CoupFourPointFive continues with its claims the PM collapsed, was shaking, suffered a stroke, went to China for treatment and not to meet with investors, was hospitalised, looked unwell.
My information is the PM did NOT collapse at the airport. He did not go to China for heart surgery. He did not have a stroke. His heart is fine. He had no stroke. My informant spoke with him several times while he was in China where he did meet investors, and he has arrived back in Fiji this morning, suffering from nothing worse than jet lag.
FIJI LABOUR PARTY ON COUPFOURPOINTFIVE "TRASH". This blog has previously commented on the recent sharp decline in the quality of reporting by CoupFourPointFive. It is now joined by the FLP spokesman Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi who writes:
"It seems Coup Four Point Five is trying to detract attention from its own failings and inaccuracies by reverting to Chaudhry bashing again. The blogsite is becoming quite notorious for its sensational and false reporting and we have had occasion to point this out before.
"Its latest attempt to discredit Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry is yet another bit of malicious propaganda which actually fails to live up to its promo to shed sensational new light on the Chaudhry tax case. The matter is now before the courts as Coup Four Point Five should well know and is subjudice. But such legalities don’t seem to matter to the blog when it comes to maligning certain people.
"The writers well know that the issues highlighted on the blog are the very same as those raised in a frenzied media hype some three years ago which had led to the appointment of an independent inquiry by the interim government. The inquiry cleared Mr Chaudhry of all the allegations. The findings of the inquiry were accepted by the interim government as acknowledged in a letter from the Prime Minister to Mr Chaudhry and as stated in a media release issued by the interim Attorney General.
"It is shameful that the attacks on the Coup Four Point Five blog continue to be launched in a most cowardly manner under the protection of anonymity. Nonetheless, we are well aware of the identity of those writing such crap, and what has prompted this sudden switch to Chaudhry bashing.Let me assure our detractors, that they gain nothing by their attempts to malign and discredit the Labour Leader where it really counts. His respect and support remain intact."
FIJI EXPRESSES SYMPATHY TO NZ. The Government and the people of the Republic of Fiji are deeply saddened by the loss of 29 brave miners in the Pike River mine explosion said the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in his letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Mr Murray McCully following the death of 29 mine workers.
“Our heartfelt condolences goes out to the families and loved ones of the trapped miners and to the nation of New Zealand as you come to terms with the tragic loss,” he said in his letter. "Our prayers and thoughts are with you.” -- 25/11/10 No.2002/MOI. [The mining disaster is the worst in New Zealand history.]
CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION PROGRESS. Earlier this month the team from the Ministry of Education's Citizenship Education Project conducted workshops for Head Teachers and Classes 3-4 teachers throughout the country. The workshops were part of the process involved in developing Citizenship Education teaching resources for primary schools. Classes 3-4 material is now at the National Implementation Phase where teachers are trained on how to integrate the CE programme into the teaching and learning programme and in the school culture as a whole.
Teaching resources have already been drafted for Classes 5- 8 and Forms 3-7, and are at varying stages of pre-testing, trialing and piloting in selected primary and secondary schools around the country.
During the workshops, there was a rousing response from all the Head teachers and teachers who felt the programme was long overdue and needed the support of everyone. Many felt the programme provided a clearer vision and direction for teaching and learning that was meaningful for teachers and students. -- Based on 4th 2010, No:1835/MOE.
TEACHERS TO BE TRILINGUAL. FNU Vice-Chancellor Dr Ganesh Chand is interviewed on what ABC called bilingualism. They forgot English. In future all new teachers will be required to speak Fijian, Hindi and English.
VENGEANCE IS MINE. I am increasingly disturbed by the number of threatening comments on this blog and on the anti-government blogs that advocate violence and warn those supporting the Bainimarama government (and even those sitting on the fence) of retribution. I would remind those who make such comments, if they are Christian, to re-read the Holy Bible. In Romans 12:19 it is written:
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."Similar advice is given in Deuteronomy 32:35 and Hebrews 10:30.
WAIRIKI PINE CHIP MILL, BUA. Fiji Pine Ltd reports a five-year contract with NZ's chipping company Pederson Group to manage the Bua mill where a first shipment of pine chips valued between $3m to $5m is expected to be exported by April next year. Board chairman Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba says thadt when the mill is upgraded and exports commence the “Benefits to the local community [will be] enormous because they will be involved and there will be employment opportunities at the mills.”-- Based on 25/11/10, No. 1993/MOI.
FIRST REPORT ON 2011 NATIONAL BUDGET. Attorney General and Acting Minister for Finance Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has delivered the 2011 National Budget Address.
The budget has a total revenue of $1745.7 billion against an expenditure of $1961.7 billion, leaving a deficit of $216 million. Capital expenditure has been set at $526m with much of this also going towards the sugar industry.
On the much talked about $150m bond debt that matures next year Sayed-Khaiyum announced that Singapore and Hong Kong-based brokers are acting on government’s behalf to refinance the bond.
"The US $150 m global bond raised in early 2006 is due for payment in September next year. Fund members based in Singapore and Hong Kong have been identified as government t international brokers to manage the refinancing of this global bond. Part of next year’s debt is expected to be financed through this global bond roll over. This strategy will release limited reserves in the domestic financial market for private sector investments and supplies."
On the sugar industry Sayed-Khaiyum reaffirmed government’s commitment saying 200,000 people or almost 20 per cent of Fiji citizens rely on the sector for their livelihood. He announced strict cost cutting measures and reforms for the Fiji Sugar Corporation and says government will work with development partners for technical assistance. The total allocation towards the sugar industry came to $123 m.
“An appropriate provision of a $110m has been allocated in the 2011 budget to support FSC - which will have an impact on the sugar industry as a whole. In addition $6m has been allocated for cane replanting, $1m for cane quality payment, $5m to South Pacific Fertilizers and $1.5m for the Committee for Better Utilization of Land, in total $123m has been allocated for the support of the sugar industry.”
On socio-economic and poverty alleviation issues – government announced a host of policies aimed at supporting the vulnerable in the community. This includes support to 10,000 new recipients of the family assistance scheme.
“In 2011 we have allocated an addition of $3.6m to issue food vouchers of $30 a month to 10,000 new recipients. Within this schemes based on the means test - the elderly over 70 years of age who are currently not receiving any form of government assistance, pregnant mothers who are currently falling outside of the eligibility for receiving family assistance allowance and disadvantaged family and school children will be eligible. The Ministry of Strategic Planning will release final details of this scheme before Christmas.”
Government has also allocated $10m housing assistance for first time home owners – a policy that was introduced last year but could not be implemented due to the effects of Cyclone Tomas and the Operation Kadivuka campaign.
A 3% increase on alcohol and tobacco products has been imposed.
The Fiji Judiciary received an increase of $5m dollars for next year’s budget. Government says the increase will help facilitate and improve service delivery within the judicial system.
“The judiciary has been increased by $5m from $11m to $16m in the 2011 budget to cover for the full operations of the staffing of the judiciary. This is in view of the new appointments of the magistrates and judges in particular. Increases have also effected into the budget of the AG’s chambers and the DPP’s office to improve service delivery. Grant to the legal Aid Commission has been increased from $.6m to $.8m. This is very important for the access to justice.”
Allocation for the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption has also increased.
A notable absence was the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji Sada Reddy. FBC News was informed that Mr. Reddy is on leave.
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama was on his way from Nadi to Suva when the budget address was delivered. Bainimarama has just returned from a two week trip to China, meeting industry and business leaders there.
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