Have things started to crumble because of the budget failure? A contractor has reportedly stopped working on the Savalalo Market, claiming they have not been paid since July.

It has not been made clear that if the alleged non-payment is due to the budget failure and the inability to finance the government ministries adequately. All government ministries are working on 25 per cent of the 2024/2025 financial year. These funds run out in two weeks. The allocation is for July, August and September.

Over the last week, organisations such as the Loto Taumafai Society, Senese Inclusive Education and the Goshen Trust have highlighted their stories and how the budget cut has affected their functions. These organisations provide essential services to the marginalised. Overtime for most civil servants has not been paid, and this has put families in hard situations. Sacrifices are being made just to meet the daily needs.

The budget situation is not alone the new government’s problem. The budget failure was not solely caused by the now ruling party, but this was also supported by the Human Rights Protection Party. It was good to hear that HRPP will attend the swearing-in ceremony and help move the democratic process ahead. This is a national issue, and more than ever, parties need to set aside their political differences and work towards a solution. They can work together through constructive inputs about the budget and ensure that it is quickly passed.

The delay in the budget does not affect supporters of one party but everyone in the nation. It will hamper government services. Some of which are being seen now, and the longer it takes a budget to get passed, the worse the situation will become not only for those employed by the government, but also for all dependent on government services.

For the FAST government, when they come ,into power and start discussing the budget, they have to be mindful of the advice that would be given by the Ministry of Finance on revenue and the limits of expenditure. Understandably, the first thing the new government would want to do is deliver on its election promises. This should be weighed against the reality of the budget and how many of the election promises can really be afforded by the government. If it is a beer budget, champagne cannot be bought on it.

The submissions from each government department and organisation are already with the finance ministry, along with the financial reports on government revenue and the amount of money from donor partners. It should not take long for a budget to be announced, even if it includes election promises.

We are looking to face what was experienced in the 2021 election impasse. It left the country without a fully functioning government for weeks.

We are faced with a scenario where all government ministries may consider halting their operations temporarily. There is no confirmation yet on how civil servants will be paid, how social welfare payments will be made, how pensions will be given, or how government ministries will fund their operations or pay their bills.

It has already been pointed out that the 25 per cent spending cap is placing pressure on the economy. Essential government services are restricted, development projects have been put on hold, and the private sector is beginning to feel the slowdown. Several donor-funded programs have been frozen until a new government is sworn in. The government is the driver of the economy as the biggest employer and as an investor. The private sector depends heavily on government contracts. Many projects are now blocked.

Will political parties be able to set aside their differences and work for the good of the people? The budget will provide that test.