Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697768574812.pdf (Fiji)
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI BUDGET BRIEFINGS 2018 Budget 2018─2019 Head No.

9 : Independent Bodies Background Fiji’s Independent Bodies operate autonomously from any other office and, along with the Independent Commissions, make up the system of checks and balances that upholds the rule of law, ensures representative government and provides external oversight to secure and maintain transparent and accountable governance.
The Independent Bodies are the: • Office of the Auditor-General; • Fijian Elections Office; • Judiciary; • Parliament; • Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; and • Media Industry Development Authority.

The overall funding for the Independent Commissions increased in 2018-2019 compared to 2017-2018, with the Judiciary receiving the largest increase.

Trends The total budget (operating grants) allocated for Independent Bodies for 2018-2019 is $115.0 million.
This is an increase of $16.3 million or 16.5 per cent compared to 2017-2018.

In addition, there is aid-in-kind totalling $8.3 million (compared to $18,000 in 2017-2018).
Independent Bodies total expenditure, 2014-2015 to 2018-2019 98.7 115.0 52.6 56.4 49.3 n o i l l i m $ 140.0 120.0 100.0 80.0 60.0 40.0 20.0 0.0 Actual Expenditure 2014/15 Actual Expenditure 2015/16 Actual Expenditure 2016/17 Estimate 2017/18 Estimate 2018/19 Note: The Budget Estimates for this Head does not provide capital expenditure or VAT figures.
Enquiries: research@parliament.gov.fj 1 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI BUDGET BRIEFINGS 2018 Budget announcements and allocations The following grants have been budgeted for 2018-2019: • $69.2 million for the Judiciary: an increase of $14.8 million (27.1 per cent) compared to 2017-2018 due to adjustments in salaries and wages, the upgrade of existing courts and the construction of new courthouses around Fiji; • $20.4 million for the Fiji Elections Office: a decrease of $1.7 million (7.6 per cent) attributed to progress towards the 2018 elections having been made in 2017-2018; • $10.8 million for Parliament: a decrease of $197,800 (1.8 per cent) due to the completion of capital works; • $7.7 million for the Director of Public Prosecutions: an increase of $1.4 million (21.6 per cent) attributed to ‘adjustments in salaries and wages, and other operational expenses’; • $6.6 million for the Office of the Auditor-General: an increase of $2.0 million (43.6 per cent) also attributed to ‘adjustments to salaries and wages, and other operational expenses’; and • $300,000 for the Media Industry Development Authority (the same as 2017-2018).
Sources • Fijian Government (2018) Budget estimates 2018–2019, Ministry of Economy, 28 June 2018.

[Hard copy.]

• Fijian Government (2018) General administration sector: 2018–2019 Budget kit.

[Hard copy.]

• Sayed-Khaiyum Hon.

A (Minister for Economy) Budget address 2018–2019, 28 June 2018.

[Hard copy.]

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Enquiries: research@parliament.gov.fj 2