Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697765779362.pdf (Fiji)
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI BUDGET BRIEFINGS 2018 Budget 2018─2019 Head No.

2: Office of the Prime Minister Background The Office of the Prime Minister (‘OPM’) provides administrative and logistical support to the Prime Minister in his role as Head of Government and Chairperson of Cabinet.

The OPM also has authority over the Department of Immigration, which is responsible for passport issuance, entry and departure permits, and processing of citizenship applications.
The 2018–2019 Budget sees a slight increase in operating expenditure, and a larger increase in capital expenditure funding (under both this head and Head 50 – Miscellaneous Services) compared to 2017–2018.

Trends The OPM allocation for 2018–2019 totals $24.1 million, comprising $14.3 million for operating expenditure and $9.3 million for capital expenditure.

The total allocation represents an increase of 0.5 per cent on the last financial year ($24.0 million).
An additional $8.2 million has been allocated for capital expenditure under Head 50 – Miscellaneous Services.

The following graphs show funding trends over the past five years.
Office of the Prime Minister expenditure by type, 2014–2015 to 2018–2019 n o i l l i m $ 30.0 25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0 2.5% 3.3% 2.3% 32.5% 65.2% 65.3% 1.7% 22.1% 76.2% 2.3% 2.2% 39.8% 38.6% ↑0.5% change 2017–18 to 2018–19 57.9% 59.2% Actual Expenditure 2014/15 Actual Expenditure 2015/16 Actual Expenditure 2016/17 Estimate 2017/18 Estimate 2018/19 Operating Capital VAT Enquiries: research@parliament.gov.fj 1 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI BUDGET BRIEFINGS 2018 Office of the Prime Minister total expenditure, 2014–2015 to 2018–2019 24.0 24.1 16.2 17.7 13.9 n o i l l i m $ 30.0 25.0 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 0.0 Actual Expenditure 2014/15 Actual Expenditure 2015/16 Actual Expenditure 2016/17 Estimate 2017/18 Estimate 2018/19 Budget announcements and allocations Citizenship and immigration The Budget allocates $50,000 of new funding to citizenship ceremonies.
It also provides $300,000 to improve access to immigration services and install new systems for passport issuance.

Raising living standards The Budget allocates $9.0 million to the Prime Minister’s Small Grants Scheme (the same as the 2017-2018 Budget), which does the following: • Education: Upgrades to school buildings, sports grounds and footpaths.

The allocation also covers the installation of solar and water systems, and funds the purchase of school furniture, equipment and technology.
• Community Development: Among other things, this scheme upgrades and constructs evacuation centres, procures sports equipment for youth groups, funds women’s empowerment programs, and constructs infrastructure projects.

Mahogany industry development The Budget allocates $250,000 to support the development of the mahogany industry and the activities of the Fiji Mahogany Trust.
Maintenance of facilities $8.0 million will be provided in 2018-2019 to continue work on a new Prime Minister’s Office Complex, and $158,000 allocated to continue maintenance works on the Prime Minister’s Official Residence.

This funding is provided under Head 50 – Miscellaneous Services.

Enquiries: research@parliament.gov.fj 2 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI BUDGET BRIEFINGS 2018 Sources • Fijian Government (2018) Budget estimates 2018–2019, Ministry of Economy, 28 June 2018.

[Hard copy.]
[Hard copy.]

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

[Hard copy.]

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Enquiries: research@parliament.gov.fj 3