Only the Coalition ( oh, and Fred Wesley) are celebrating the passage through parliament of the 2025-26 national Budget. The rest of us know that it was always going to pass on the numbers – 36 to 12 – and there is nothing to celebrate about the fact that the Coalition’s addiction to spending means that it has broken its pre-election promise to reduce debt and is leaving future generations with a bill of $11.7-billion and counting.
Even more depressing for anyone but the Coalition’s true believers is the complete collapse of integrity in the ranks of Coalition members who gained the nation’s trust by promising better standards of governance and have betrayed us all by delivering worse.
Just take a look at the photo of the triumphal group gathered around the Prime Minister last night. Now concentrate on the five in the front row – left to right, Sashi Kiran, Lynda Tabuya, the PM, Biman Prasad and Manoa Kamikamica.
It is a tragic fact that more people in that row – by a margin of three to two – have had adverse findings against them in the Supreme Court Commission of Inquiry Report into the Malimali affair. And just behind them poking his head up, is a fourth – the accident prone Siromi Turaga.
Let’s go from left to right in detail:
LYNDA TABUYA:
Now why is she in the front row? Of all the Coalition members, Tabuya is still officially out in the cold – still in the doghouse for her complete lack of integrity, let alone judgment, in making a pornographic video while posing as an anti-porn crusader. And all on top ( Oops. Freudian slip, sorry) of her “brutal” sex session with her fellow minister at the time, Aseri Radrodro (hiding down the back), in Room 233 of Melbourne’s Windsor Hotel that cost her the deputy leadership of the People’s Alliance.
Does her position in this line-up indicate that she is back? Surely not. Because we know from the COI Report that she faces a fresh investigation into the circumstances in which her friend, Barbara Malimali, quashed the FICAC inquiry into her false Elections Office declaration that she was divorced and didn’t have to declare her husband’s millions when the two were, and still are, very much married.
Lynda Tabuya was, and is, a gross liability to the Rabuka government in the eyes of anyone but the Jack Daniels/ Taki Mai set – her adoring, unquestioning Fiji Fantastic Sipi.
But there she is by the Prime Minister’s side.
Next…
BIMAN PRASAD:
Biman Prasad’s position is even more dire. We’ve detailed the case against him in a previous article. But he is already the subject of a fresh police investigation into the allegations against him that he filed a false declaration of income to the Elections Office. Plus wider probes in multiple potential investigations into the circumstances in which Francis Puleiwai’s plan to charge him with abuse of office was thwarted in what appears to be prima facie evidence of a conspiracy involving, among others, Barbara Malimali and the Chief Justice, Salesi Temo.
Even if Biman Prasad conspires with others in the Coalition to thwart the implementation of the COI recommendations, none of what has transpired is going to go away in the election lead-up. As with all these matters, they are going to be dragged up again and again. And the hard-heads of the NFP know that not only is Biman Prasad’s career in jeopardy, the future of Fiji’s oldest political party is on the line.
MANOA KAMIKAMICA:
Grinning broadly again but in the gravest danger of all because of an allegation of corruption against him of the highest order – using his position as Deputy Prime Minister to thwart a FICAC investigation into a fellow minister.
SIROMI TURAGA:
ERGO:
Never mind its “spendathon” Budget, the Coalition faces going into the 2026 election with some of its main front-row forwards facing the prospect of criminal charges, which is clearly not going to help its election prospects.
Sitiveni Rabuka’s presumptive successor at the People’s Alliance, Manoa Kamikamica, can grin all his likes. But the gravity of the case against him – sworn testimony by Kalaveti Ravu backed up by sworn testimony by a second witness, Penioni Ravunawa – means that he cannot possibly remain presumptive successor and is a gross liability going into the 2026 election. If fact, his political career is as good as dead.
So small wonder that there is already speculation about who else can succeed Sitiveni Rabuka. And here he is:
Yes “Mr Clean” – Ioane Naivalurua, the Minister for Policing. And before that, FijiFirst MP, senior civil servant, diplomat, minister for police in the Bainimarama government and long-time secretary of the Military Council – a former military officer who attained the rank of Major-General.
Naivalurua is now a man to watch. And his performance this week in his speech in the parliament in response to the Budget has made people sit up even more.
Despite coming from the collapsed FijiFirst, if anyone can re-establish the integrity of the People’s Alliance, Ioane Naivalurua can. His call for a moral awakening in the nation to combat the drug crisis could only have been made by someone with the highest moral standards himself.
From most others in the current leadership, such a call would have triggered collective sniggers and guffaws. But not Naivalurua. Everything else in politics can be learned. But not integrity, as we are all finding out to our horror with the corrupt antics of much of the current government.
Look closely at last night’s group photo and there is Naivalurua down at the back. It is typical of a man who in Grubsheet’s experience, has always been humble and self-effacing.
Sitiveni Rabuka needs to move him up to the front and send Lynda Tabuya and Manoa Kamikamica to the very back. And then maybe there’s a chance of the government restoring some of its lost credibility and getting itself into some kind of position to regain the people’s trust and win.
—————-
Of course, there’s nothing in the Fiji Times today about the Malimali settlement debacle, nothing about the continuing fallout from the COI, just good ‘ol Fred treating the passing of the Budget as if it were the Resurrection.
As in “Christ has Risen!
Dear Fred,
How can it be that the Malimali settlement story is plastered over the front page of the Fiji Sun today and you have absolutely nothing on it?
Aren’t you in the least bit ashamed of your continuing abject failure to cover the “news” on the basis of proper news values instead of your own selective agenda – and that of your corrupt proprietor – and warped view of the world?
More from Ioane Naivalurua on the need for a moral awakening.
Amen to that. It can start in his own ranks.
NOTE:
For more Grubsheet articles on Ioane Naivalurua, just type his name into the search engine on the right.
One week after the budget was announced, butter prices increased significantly.
Baiman’s usual tricks.
New Zealand increased it’s butter prices by 47%. C J PATEL buys butter from New Zealand and then adds salt and calls it REWA BUTTER.
The price rise is due to greed from New Zealand dairy farmers…not from Professor Pyare Lal.
Don’t understand why you put Naivalarua on a pedestal. He is a turn coat and untrustworthy. The man is useless just like the rest of them, including the COMPOL.
Another example of your lack of judgement about people in Fiji.
And, of course, you are brilliance personified. Everyone is an idiot except you.
In the video you posted of Naivalarua, in his opening remarks he has a go at the now Leader of the Opposition saying words to the effect “why did he not fix the problems when you were in charge” at the time. Of course Naivalarua seems to have forgotten that he was part of that government as well. That is the calibre of the person. He has scammed off government coffers all his working life. Still on government ministerial payroll by hook or crook. The man has nothing and you put him as the saviour!!!
“Everyone is an idiot except you” – that is not far from the truth.
I didn’t put him forward as “the saviour”. That is your interpretation of me saying that almost alone among that lot, he has a moral compass. And I certainly haven’t advocated that anyone vote for these jokers.
You refuse to see the good in anyone and to some extent, I don’t blame you. But your nihilistic “everyone is an idiot” and “all is lost” constant narrative is getting us nowhere.
Even the best of a bad lot, as the old saying goes, is better than what we have now. I was merely making the point that the future of the PAP – assuming it has one – lies in people with integrity like Naivalurua and not crooks like Lynda Tabuya and Manoa Kamikamica.
Have I made myself clear?
Naivalurua, a man of integrity? Really?
On 14 May 1987, he led the masked gunmen who took Bavadra’s government hostage.
How can a man who committed an act of terrorism and is now hiding under the immunity provisions of the imposed 2013 Constitution, be considered a man of integrity?
Crikey, if we are to punish everyone who either participated in any of the coups or benefited from them, directly or indirectly, would there be anyone left standing?
In the case of Naivalurua, at least he hasn’t served a prison term for his actions, like the President of the Republic. And he hasn’t been accused of the human rights abuses that dog some former and current military personnel.
Whatever he did in 1987, he did when he was young and he has done a lot more since that wasn’t shrouded in shame. And I repeat: I am simply making the point that he would make a better successor for Rabuka than Kamikamica or Tabuya, who are currently being investigated for corruption in the here and now, not for conduct in the distant mists of time.
Good to see you have had a change of heart. Do not wish to see you going around promoting another Baimaan Prasad.
It is you who has a change of heart, not me, after I explained my position and disabused you of your knee-jerk false presumptions and prejudice.
It is interesting if the PM doesn’t see Tabuya as a political liability as there she is in front row optics. Or was the old guy just outmanoeuvred by her political ambition ?
When he was COMPOL, 1, two senior police officers were handbag carriers for the Mrs., 2, changed the Forces’ beret badge, there are two versions used by the force now, 3, rumoured to be one of them in ’87. The man ain’t humble, nor is he clean.
Tell GD that Naivalurua has not served a prison term because he is covered by the immumity provisions of that abominable 2013 Constitution that was shoved down our throats by people like Naivalurua who put a gun to.our heads ! Geez. Talk about selective recall !
The PAP will be commiting political suicide if it elects Naivalurua as their leader. They know it too.
I have selective recall? Anyone would think from what you are saying that the immunity provisions only applied in the 2013 Constitution.
Wrong! They applied in both the 1990 and 1997 Constitutions. So pull your head out of your rear end and smell the flowers.
Selective recall? Got a mirror handy? Qori.
The PAP will be committing electoral suicide on a grander scale if they give the leadership to the crook, Manoa Kamikamica.
Ioane Naivalurua’s alleged offences took place almost four decades ago. Manoa’s occurred during the term of this government. And believe you me. He will be lucky to stay out of jail, such is the gravity of the allegations against him.
George Speight did his deeds 25 years ago and spent more than two decades behind bars. According to GD Speight now has all the right qualifications and experience to be PM as well. Just like the Baku and Naivalurua amongst others. All that happened a long time ago.!!! Unbelievable.
You have completely lost the plot. When have I ever said that “George Speight has the right qualifications and experience to be PM”? You have just made it up.
To compare Ioane Naivalurua to George Speight is what is unbelievable. You need to take a tablet or two and go to the mattresses. Idiot.
The budget passing is another step in the declining position of Fiji and its people.
As was shown in an earlier article by GD the budget is projecting the lowest spending on Capital works in a decade and another massive increase in the cost of Government. So the statements in the Fiji Times article of promises, bold spending and improvements in the lives of ordinary Fijians do not ring true or are achievable.
Underspending on infrastructure will see services like water, power, sewerage and roads not get better and will probably see further decay. Ballooning Civil Service numbers when the population numbers are less is only adding to the cost of Government. Then there are the broken promises on reducing debt when the deficit for this budget is 1.488 Billion taking the Government debt national higher.
Far from reducing debt this government has increased the debt level by $308.4 Million since coming to power!
Ioane Naivalurua is a person of integrity and has an impressive record of achievement in both the Military and in Government. He has the credentials to take the county forward. He should have been a key member of the previous Government from as early as 2018 but was thwarted by ASK who blocked his candidacy at that time!
He is far better qualified than either Lynda Tabuya or Manoa Kamikamica who both have shown they are not!
The coming months will be interesting!
Malimali eh? And her defence lawyer states:
‘Her client’s reputation had been thrown down the drain’. Malimali’s reputation? What reputation is that? Down the drain?
Isa !!
More like thrown down the ocean in Nauru or Tuvalu or whatever the great metropolis she was ‘working’ in, with the local Judge. Well before the drain came into the picture.
Who would pay for such a lawyer? Or any lawyer in Fiji for that matter.
Apart from a few faces most of them have no clue why they are in that picture 😂.similarly they are all hanging in there with their colourful past or current issues which is why come the next election every one of them should be history as they have not done any favours to the taxpayers. They have taken billions to pay themselves more so they are all criminals who don’t think of the poor.#2026
I think you will find that they are all there because God put them there. Just ask them.
So this whole shamozzle is really God’s fault in the end. It is not the voters, really.
The future generations will be almost 90% itaukei so good luck to them paying the debt. After all they get the most freebies and own most of land and resources. The rest of kaidias, Chinese and others will mostly be earning below 30k so won’t be paying taxes. I see a very bright future yes I do.
As for Naivalurua, wasn’t he one of the heroes of 1987 coup with Rabucoupa.
I will not waste my breath on the women grinning there.
Dumbest, immoral, cheapline boicici lineup of Fiji government MPs in our history. Same on the other side. Vote them ALL out in 2026.
We will remember the shameless scandals and the lies on election day.
Kua i ke.
I understand that Naivalurua was PolCom when he conveniently tossed the alleged criminal defilement of a young teen, by his own chief (Pedo Pressie) under the carpet.
Fiji doesn’t need unprincipled, easily compromised, treasonous turncoats in national leadership. Sa rauta.
Naivalurua another turncoat from the military not going to change anything ,show him a few shiny pennies and he will jump without achieving anything.Another reject that should be thrown far away from the parliament compound come next election.
New faces needed for the parliament come 2026.
Graham just wants Frank and his boys back in Government.
What a good idea.
But then it also means that he’ll also bring back unwanted people like Jyoti Pratibha. I found out from her schoolmates and teachers that she was a pain to everyone and not many people liked her. And that is why I don’t support Frank. If only Frank knew how cruel Jyoti Pratibha was to everyone in her life. And since Frank is actually reading this, then I’ll say this: you need to grow up, kid. Let’s see if free speech is actually practiced on this blog and my comment does get posted here.
Qori. Free speech. I don’t see why I should play Judy to Charlie Charter’s Punch or put up with personal insults from “Everyone’s an idiot”. But apart from that (plus overt racism and obscenity), be my guest.
Incidentally, the way the media has become in Fiji under the “new era of freedom”, I am even feeling nostalgic for Jyoti P.
So can we be friends?
If you wish Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum a speedy recovery even for the sake of his young family, maybe.
They campaigned on reducing the national debt, but they increased the debt exponentially… This is a joke on the people who voted them in.
The joke was and is on those who elected them.
Oh dear! Why is the pornstar, bush lawyer still in parliament? Immoral, lying conwoman.
When the world has seen your unkept cassava patch (pretending to be a victim when you got caught pants down), do Fiji a favour and remove yourself from OUR parliament. You don’t belong there.
Our women and girls need better role models.
Now, the Kadavuan Matanigasau wants to be the Matanivanua (herald) for the royal family in Tonga and Mata ki Cicia for Tui Nayau-MVShonty. Trying too hard, the cheap Opportunist!
Don’t associate your immoral, conwoman, dirty profile with our noble families, aisi….
Sa nanuma o ea..woucaaa
🤣 Next!
What’s that on her neck? A sex toy/chain meant to give those idiotic male parliamentarians images of her unkept bush? LOL
You have a very vivid imagination. But with Lynda “I’m not married, I’m just, er, married” Tabuya, anything is possible.
You guys are too hard on Biman. At least he’s not afraid to front up to the media and take the tough questions from our hardworking and under appreciated journalists.
Unlike the keyboard warrior Graham Davis, media leaders like Stanley Simpson, Vijay Narayan and Fred Wesley have organised US-style Townhall discussions with the public where Biman and Rabuka will facedown tough questions. Eat your heart out, GrubSheet:
Fiji Media Unite for Historic Northern Townhall with Government and the Public
SUVA, FIJI – In an unprecedented display of media solidarity and collaboration, Fiji’s major news organisations are uniting for the first time to co-host a historic Town Hall & Meet the Public and the Press forums featuring Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad in Labasa, and senior cabinet and government officials in Savusavu.
The Fiji Sun, The Fiji Times, Mai TV, Fiji Live, Communications Fiji Limited (CFL), Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), and Fiji TV are collaborating under the Fiji Media Association umbrella to host forums in Savusavu on Wednesday, July 23 at 7pm at Hotel Grand Epic, and in Labasa on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 7pm at the Fiji Football Association Conference Room.
The events are supported by the United States Embassy in Fiji.
Stanley Simpson, FMA General Secretary and Mai TV News Director, described the collaboration as a watershed moment for Fiji’s media landscape and democracy.
“The role of the media is more critical than ever in an age of fake news and misinformation and our goal with this initiative is to foster transparent
dialogue and democratic discussion, demonstrating our commitment to providing platforms for meaningful public discourse that highlights challenges and propose solutions,” he said.
“Never before have our major news organisations set aside commercial competition to work together for the greater good of democratic dialogue and public engagement. This extraordinary technical collaboration
sees camera operators, sound engineers, graphic artists, video editors and production coordinators working as one unified crew across company lines, achieving production values and coverage depth for public good,” Simpson added.
As the coalition government approaches its third year in office, both forums will focus on critical issues affecting the Northern division.
Prime Minister Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister Prasad are expected to address economic development strategies, infrastructure improvements and regional connectivity, government services accessibility in rural areas, education and healthcare delivery, tourism development opportunities, and agricultural support programmes.
Members of the Savusavu and Labasa communities will have the opportunity to directly engage in an open question-and-answer session with government leaders, raising issues and challenges affecting their everyday life.
“For Ministers and Ministries that may not be able to be physically present the media will try to call them Live during the show to respond to pressing queries from the public or address through follow up stories,” Simpson said.
The events will be broadcast LIVE simultaneously across all participating media platforms, with coordinated digital platforms, social media channels, and broadcast schedules ensuring unprecedented reach and accessibility for Fijian audiences nationwide.
Simpson emphasised the importance of taking democratic discourse beyond Viti Levu and to areas that don’t get much opportunities to be directly seen or heard.
“For too long, meaningful political dialogue has been concentrated in Suva and urban centres. By bringing this forum to Savusavu and Labasa, we’re
ensuring that voices from our outer islands and rural communities are heard at the highest levels of government. This represents inclusive democracy in action,” he said.
The FMA General Secretary also highlighted how the changed media landscape has enabled this collaboration.
“Since the Media Industry Development Act’s removal in 2023, we’ve seen a more open environment for media collaboration, allowing us to focus on our core responsibility of serving the public interest without unnecessary regulatory constraints,” Simpson explained.
The moderated sessions will feature senior editors and journalists from all participating organisations, ensuring professional, balanced coverage whilst allowing for open public participation.
The Fiji Media Association expects to host similar town halls in future across Fiji to strengthen public trust in both media and democratic institutions whilst setting a new standard for civic engagement in the Pacific region.
You are completely deluded. I will pit the intelligence of my readership against these mainstream media puppets when the time comes.
The Fijian people are not that stupid. They know when they are being conned. So get set for the mother of all showdowns when the time comes. Because no matter where you are in the world, you can’t sell ordinary voters a steaming turd and pretend it’s a gold bar. They know the difference and will vote accordingly.
Why do you think none of these media organisations are doing opinion polls? Why do you think the local government elections haven’t been held. Because these people are already toast.
And when a new government is elected, the current media proprietors will come under the blowtorch for their betrayal of the people and the most basic standards of proper journalism. You can bank on that.
You saw what happened to Jyoti Pratibha and Nemani Delaibatiki. Stanley Simpson, Vijay Narayan and Fred Wesley are next. Except unlike Jyoti and Nemani, this trio of idiots wouldn’t cut the mustard outside Fiji.
Simpson and Narayan are taking taxpayer money when they are working for private media companies and are hopelessly compromised. And Fred works for the corrupt Motibhai Patels of Ba and is just, well, hopeless. You only need to read any Fiji Times editorial to know that.
Tick, tick, tick.