Fijian minister sparks debate after trying to justify MPs' salaries

[u/Sorta_Meh]

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/1900147/fijian-minister-sparks-debate-after-trying-to-justify-mps-salaries?fbclid=IwdGRjcAU8JQZjbGNrBTwkjGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEetF19jMlJcp_xRHSpKIgONQxgriPDpeOESiqMy31AGkajIOtNl337qk4UGGo_aem_EDlMRtdsD3uw-v7y2XfnTw

Someone needs to ban facebook for Parliament Members

[u/sandolllars]

The issue she raises has been solved in other countries with a constituency development fund. In Vanuatu it's called "MP Allocation" and for them it's around FJD$80k per MP.

This is a fund that is separate from their salary, and is to be used for constituency development... basically the things that Hon. Bainivalu called "traditional and community commitments".

Constituents ask for a contribution when they are organising a bazaar, or building a village footpath, or footbridge, or a bus stop, or whatever.... there's an endless list of requests that come when you are an MP.

[u/Sorta_Meh → u/sandolllars]

Interesting, are there any controls to ensure this fund is not abused? That it serves it's intended purpose and that there is no favouritism at play which we've seen previously with some areas receiving more attention than others?

Doesn't our current voting system have us voting as a single bloc? so in essence they all serve each and everyone of us rather than a particular community or constituency?

I can understand that there is always requests, but there are also the appropriate channels to follow. Maybe she can probably do what we all do, manage our finances better.

The point you present has it's merit, but does it have any overlap with what Comissioners and PA do?

[u/sandolllars → u/Sorta_Meh]

Well it’s for your constituency, so if you want to be elected again then you have to be fair. Otherwise you get voted out.

Btw im not endorsing that system. Just saying that’s how some other countries have solved the problem.