Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed that the original submission seeking approval for Youth and Sports Minister Jese Saukuru’s travel to New Zealand did not include any reference to his spouse accompanying him on the trip.

In a statement, Rabuka said the request was submitted on 20 January 2025 by the Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports, seeking approval for Saukuru to travel from 28 January to 5 February 2025 to accompany the Fiji Sports Council’s Under-20 Rugby Sevens team. The trip followed an invitation from the Fiji Sports Council and was subsequently approved.

However, Rabuka noted that while ministers are allowed to travel with their spouses on official trips, such arrangements must be clearly stated in the original submission. He said these requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis and may either be funded personally by the minister or sponsored by the host country.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that the absence of this information in the initial application has raised questions surrounding the trip and related matters involving the Fiji Sports Council, which falls under Saukuru’s ministerial portfolio.

Rabuka confirmed he has summoned Saukuru for a one-on-one meeting to address the concerns.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also addressed public interest surrounding the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), reiterating that the Government has no authority to direct or control the commission.

He pointed to Section 115(6) of the 2013 Constitution, which establishes FICAC as an independent body.