Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed that Youth and Sports Minister Jese Saukuru has received approval to travel to New Zealand with the Fiji Sports Council’s Under-20 Rugby Sevens team. This travel approval was granted for the period from January 28 to February 5, 2025, following a request submitted by the Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports on January 20, 2025.
In a statement, Mr. Rabuka clarified that the submission did not mention that Minister Saukuru’s spouse would be accompanying him. “While Ministers may be accompanied by their spouse on official travel—either at the Minister’s own cost or where sponsored by a host country—such arrangements must be clearly outlined in the original submission,” he emphasized. The Prime Minister highlighted the necessity for full disclosure on such requests, stating they are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
In light of recent inquiries regarding this trip and other issues related to the Fiji Sports Council, which operates under the portfolio of Minister Saukuru, Mr. Rabuka mentioned that he has called for a one-on-one meeting with the Minister to discuss these matters further.
Additionally, he addressed concerns about the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), reinforcing that the commission functions independently under the Constitution. “As stipulated in the 2013 Constitution under Section 115(6), FICAC is an independent body; neither I nor the Government has the authority to direct or control it,” the Prime Minister stated, reaffirming the separation of powers in governance.
This openness from the Prime Minister highlights the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, fostering trust as Fiji navigates both sports administration and governance challenges.