Capping cabinet size will cut waste: Malimali

A Suva lawyer has proposed a constitutional amendment in Fiji to limit the size of the Cabinet, arguing it would curb government spending and prevent political patronage. Barbara Malimali submitted her recommendation to the Constitution Review Commission, suggesting that the Prime Minister chair the Cabinet and that no more than 15 ministers be appointed.

Malimali highlighted the significant costs associated with the current 20-minister Cabinet, noting that each minister earns approximately $200,000 annually. These expenses include personal assistants, police security officers, government-issued vehicles, and drivers. She stated that elevating some government departments to ministry status has made the Cabinet "increasingly unwieldy."

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Currently, there are 20 ministers, each earning a salary of around $200,000. Every minister has a personal assistant, a police security officer, a government-issued vehicle, and a driver. That in itself is a significant expense.

"We could use that money to build a major hospital in Korovou, one in Wainibokasi, and one in Nausori," Malimali said, suggesting that removing just two ministers could fund a proper hospital in Wainibuka. She also pointed out that assistant ministers, while not Cabinet members, incur similar additional costs for staff and vehicles.

Malimali believes that capping the number of ministers would prevent appointments from being used as political incentives, particularly during coalition negotiations. Her proposal aims to streamline government expenditure and redirect funds towards essential public services like healthcare.

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We could use that money to build a major hospital in Korovou, one in Wainibokasi, and one in Nausori. We can remove two ministers and build a proper hospital in Wainibuka.