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Issue No: 810; 30 May 2001
The Qarase regime has hit out at the Auditor General for investigating the abuse of state housing provisions by the Laisenia Qarase. Under regulations, the country's Prime Minister is allowed a rent-free accommodation in government quarters, or an annual allowance of $10,800 if he chooses to stay out of government quarters. Qarase has been staying in a house owned by his previous employer, the Merchant Bank of Fiji for a rent of $3,000 per month. The government is made to pay the rent. The previous rent was $2,500 per month. The Auditor-General has raised queries on this abuse of the provision. Most observers believe that the abuse is fraudulent. Yesterday the PM's office hit out at the Auditor General claiming that the Auditor-General has allowed himself to be used by the Fiji Times to make comments that are inappropriate. It is also understood that Laisenia Qarase has summoned the Auditor-General to his office for a meeting today. The Auditor-General comes under the Finance Minister's portfolio. The fact that Qarase has demanded a meeting with the Auditor-General is seen by the people of Fiji as a direct interference by the regime's Prime Minister in the working of the Auditor-General's office. It is widely known in Fiji that Qarase has
no regard for rules and regulations, and for good governance and transparency.
Qarase quit the Fiji Development Bank as soon as the public began focusing its
attention to the Bank's activities in light of the collapse of the National Bank
of Fiji. It was known by many in the mid 1990's that the Bank was in a bad
financial position but propped up by government grants. The People's Coalition
Government had initiated a thorough review of the Bank. It is understood that
Qarase was very worried about this review. Qarase has brought the same trait to
the government. His actions over the past few months clearly demonstrate that he
treats the public funds as his own and spends these monies to advance his
personal and political interests. |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
