12 Jun 2013

Fiji politicians want 'outrageous' salaries explained

3:28 pm on 12 June 2013

The leaders of three political parties have again called on Fiji regime leaders to explain what they describe as outrageous salaries.

The politicians say the prime minister and his ministers should reveal their earnings just as they have have had to do.

The National Federation Party, SODELPA and the Labour Party lodged their assets and liabilities with the Registrar of Political Parties on Friday as required under the Political Parties Decree.

The politicians say there are reports the Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama receives more than US$700,000 a year while his number two Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is said to receive just over half a million.

They say no previous leader earned more than US$60,000 annually.

The politicians are calling for the government to clarify the reports which appeared on an anti-regime blog.

They say the current ministers should provide the information in the same detail required of political leaders, their spouses and children.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum earlier said his assets would be revealed by July when a new code of conduct for public office holders would be in place.

He said the information would be updated every six months.