December 14, 2020 10:43 am
[File Photo]
Some Social Democratic Liberal Party MP’s claim to have ceased their fortnightly deduction to the party while others have reduced their deduction amount.
A SODELPA MP told FBC News the deduction is to help pay wages for employees at the Head Quarters as well as other office expenses.
The MP says the party’s General Secretary Emele Duituturaga informed the caucus last Friday that the party HQ is facing financial difficulties.
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The MP also stated that after the party suspension they have not been able to obtain any monthly financial reports as promised, and have therefore stopped making deductions to the HQ account.
Talebula Kate
SODELPA general secretary Emele Duituturaga. Picture: FILE
The SODELPA office has adhered to the policy directive and submitted monthly financial reports to the Leader of Opposition for the use of the Parliamentary grant.
Party General Secretary, Emele Duituturaga highlighted this in a statement today dismissing allegations that the party office is abusing the Parliamentary Grant.
She said the annual Parliamentary Grant for 2020/2021, came with a new policy directive communicated to the party office through the Leader of Opposition that funds are solely for the use of the administrative needs of the Parliamentary office.
“SODELPA headquarters party office staff salaries and operational overheads have been funded from MP deductions, donations and fundraising and not from the Parliamentary grant,” Ms Duituturaga said.
SODELPA President s letter to the Speaker regarding the appointment of the Opposition Leader is inadmissible - Tabuya
SODELPA President s letter to the Speaker regarding the appointment of the Opposition Leader is inadmissible - Tabuya
Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya
Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya says the letter written by SODELPA President Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and General Secretary Emele Duituturaga to the Speaker of Parliament regarding the appointment of Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as Leader of Opposition is inadmissible.
Tabuya has confirmed that she has written to the Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau with the concurrence of Ratu Naiqama to furnish a comprehensive response to the complaint.
Dec 14, 2020 05:16:36 PM I m not abusing the parliamentary grant. says Social Democratic Liberal Party general secretary Emele Duituturaga. Duituturaga said the parliamentary grant is specifically for the administrative needs of the parliamentary offices which are occupied by the three political parties. She said staff pay have been funded by members of parliament deductions, donations and not by parliamentary grant. She said the party has been adhering to the parliamentary grant policy by submitting monthly financial reports to the opposition leader. She said while presenting a report to the opposition caucus last week, she did not raised at any point of the meeting the abuse of funds.
Parliamentary grant specifically for the needs and functioning of the Parliamentary office of parties
SODELPA dismisses allegations of abuse
Parliamentary grant specifically for the needs and functioning of the Parliamentary office of parties
SODELPA dismisses allegations of abuse
[Image: Parliament of Fiji]
The Office of the Secretary-General to Parliament states that the Parliamentary grant are funds allocated to elected political parties in Parliament and are specifically for the administrative needs and functioning of the Parliamentary offices which are occupied by the three political parties.
The office says under the Political Parties Act, each political party must provide details pertaining to its sources of funding.