Month: October 2018
Budget deficit in line with forecasts
Thomas Coughlan Wellington, November 1, 2018 Picture of Grant Robertson for Newsroom by Lynn Grieveson Crown accounts for the Government show a $343 million deficit in the first three months of the 2019 Financial Year, which was broadly in line with the May Budget forecasts and on track to end with a surplus of $3.7 billion for the full year.…
Read MoreWar of words resound as Fijians await polling day
Venkat Raman in Suva Freedom of expression is the biggest winner in Fiji today, with political parties and their supporters openly holding the incumbent government to account as the election fever increases its pitch in this small but cohesive nation. “Change is Coming” “Change is Coming,” is the theme of a strong campaign launched by the National Federation Party (NFP)…
Read MoreDr Prasad promises National Health Services
Venkat Raman in Suva National Federation Party (NFP) Leader Professor Dr Biman Prasad has promised to create a ‘National Health Services Board’ to improve Fiji’s health sector, which he said suffers from gross neglect and depravity. Speaking to Indian Newslink at his office in Suva on October 29, 2018, he said that if his Party were to occupy the Treasury…
Read MoreYoung Royal Couple steal thousands of hearts in Auckland
RNZ with Pool Reports The murky Auckland weather did not deter hundreds of people from turning out at the Viaduct to catch a glimpse of the royal couple on their public walkabout on October 30, 2018. A big cheer from the crowd went up as Prince Harry and Meghan’s motorcade arrived at North Wharf. The Duchess stepped out wearing a…
Read MoreNew Zealand reacts to Khashoggi murder in Turkey
Supplied Content Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Minister Trade and Export Growth David Parker have said that the New Zealand government continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives. Arrests and dismissals The death of the prominent journalist in the Turkish Consulate General in Istanbul has now been officially confirmed by…
Read MoreChinese, Indians resent ‘racist’ remarks
Sourced Content Aucklanders of Chinese and Indian descent say race-based comments made by Simon Bridges and Jami-Lee Ross are ugly, unprofessional and racist. The comments were made in a phone conversation recorded and released by Mr Ross in which they discuss a $100,000 donation to the party. Calling a fellow National MP f***ing useless and talking about who else could go was…
Read More“Show some character,” women’s leader tells National List MPs
Dr Primla Khar If there are MPs in a Party purely due to their ethnicity, then the onus would be on the MP It would be bigger than if he or she was there on individual merit. They are there as ambassadors of their representative ethnic group. To remain quiescent when their root group is being projected as an unfavourable option…
Read MoreCost of Living is crippling ordinary Fijians: Dr Biman Prasad
“Lifting Minimum wage is not an option, but a need” Venkat Raman in Suva October 29, 2018 While the Ruling FijiFirst Party and the Manufacturing and the Fiji Commerce & Employers Federation (among others) insist that any increase in the minimum wage should be considered only after broad consultation, National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad believes that the issue…
Read MoreRacism has no place in Fijian politics: Bainimarama
Jyoti Pratibha People who believe in segregating Fijians along racial lines cannot profess to be Christians, Fiji’s Prime Minister and FijiFirst Party Leader Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama has said. Speaking at the ‘FijiFirst Fun Day’ held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the Valelevu Ground in Nasinu, he questioned the Christian values of those who were campaigning against a secular state.…
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