8 Feb 2003

Fiji opposition leader criticises purchase of new boat

9:32 am on 8 February 2003

Fiji's opposition leader, Mick Beddoes, has attacked the government's expenditure of more than 50 thousand US dollars on a new boat to take relatives of George Speight and other treason treason convicts to Nukulau island.

The government says relatives of the prisoners and prison officers can now travel to the island in comfort and food will not get wet.

Mr Beddoes says this is another example showing that crime pays in Fiji, but he had never imagined that it would do so with government support.

aThe opposition leader says wastage of taxpayer's money seems to come naturally with the Qarase government.