Fiji's two-strong opposition claims it didn't make a deal with the government in return for voting for the budget.
Mick Beddoes and his deputy, Bernadette Rounds Ganilau, critisised the budget during debate and are now defending the u-turn they made in parliament.
Mr Beddoes says the government had the numbers to pass the budget and he decided it was better to support the multi-party cabinet system.
The two voted for the budget in return for a number of assurances from the Prime Minister on issues they were concerned about.
Mr Beddoes says Laisenia Qarase has agreed to downsize the public service and has promised that Value Added Tax won't be raised beyond 15 percent in the forseeable future.
"If you want to progress and move ahead, if you know the budget's going to pass, well what do you do? I wasn't about to just say no for the sake of keeping up appearances. I wanted to get something tangible in return."
Mr Beddoes says has not retracted his opposition to VAT being increased from 12.5 percent.
