1 Jul 2015

Fiji flag consultation extension 'waste of taxpayer funds'

6:21 pm on 1 July 2015

One of Fiji's opposition parties, the National Federation Party, says the extension of the flag consultation period is a waste and abuse of taxpayer funds.

The leader of the Fiji National Federation Party, Biman Prasad.

The leader of the Fiji National Federation Party, Biman Prasad. Photo: RNZ / Sally Round

The government has extended the consultation period by six months and says more flag designs will be offered up for feedback.

The NFP leader, Biman Prasad, says the process for finding a new flag must be abandoned immediately as it is clear the people of Fiji want a referendum on the issue.

Dr Prasad says the government must also reveal the amount of taxpayer funds already used in relation to the flag change, as a matter of transparency and accountability.

"We don't know how much the government has already used. And this consultation process, continuation of that consultation process for another six months, will be an additional waste of taxpayer funds because it is not addressing the fundamental issue. The fundamental issue is that we have not determined whether people want to change the flag."

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