8 Oct 2003

Fiji Cabinet members paying own way to rugby World Cup

5:33 pm on 8 October 2003

Fiji's minister of Labour says the cabinet ministers going to Australia to watch the rugby are paying their own way.

It's been reported that eight cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are flying to Brisbane to support the national team when it takes on France at the World Cup.

Kenneth Zinck says the PM, Laisenia Qarase, is travelling officially to attend Fiji Day but the others are going privately.

"At the moment, we have seven cabinet minister and also the prime minister. The prime minister is travelling in an official capacity to be the chief guest at the Fiji Day in Brisbane. The other seven cabinet ministers are travelling on their own. They're paying their own airfare and accommodation. We'll just go for the weekend and come back on Sunday just in time to cheer for the Fiji-France game in Brisbane and to be back in time for parliament on Monday."

Labour minister, Kenneth Zinck.

Among others going on the trip are the Foreign minister, Kaliopate Tavola, the Lands minister, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and the minister for fisheries, Konisi Yabaki.

Cabinet has also approved emergency funding for the Fiji Electricity Authority to run diesel generators for three months which will mean the country can see the Rugby world matches televised live.