Fiji’s Anti-Corruption Efforts: A Mixed Bag Ahead of Elections

As Fiji prepares to head to the polls for the third time since Frank Bainimarama seized power in 2006, concerns about corruption are likely to be at the forefront of voters’ minds. The “good governance coup” was touted as a means to tackle endemic corruption and racism, but 16 years on, it remains unclear whether the government’s anti-corruption efforts have borne fruit.

Progress Made, But Challenges Remain

While Fiji has made some progress in reducing corruption, political will towards key state-based anti-corruption organisations appears to be waning. According to the Worldwide Governance Indicators, Fiji’s Control of Corruption percentile ranking has improved from 60 in 2007 to 67.3 in 2021. The country scored 55 out of 100 on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index in 2021, ranking better than several Pacific Island nations.

However, a recent Global Corruption Barometer survey found that:

• 68% of respondents believe corruption is a big problem in government
• 61% think it’s a major issue in the private sector
• More people perceive corruption among police officers and members of parliament compared to other institutions

A Mixed Picture in Fiji’s Budget

A closer examination of Fiji’s budget reveals a mixed picture. While spending on key anti-corruption organisations has decreased, funding for the police force has increased significantly. This raises questions about the government’s priorities in tackling corruption.

• The Accountability and Transparency Commission, established by the 2013 constitution, remains unfunded and without clear responsibilities
• The Attorney-General has cited a lack of parliamentary approval as the reason for the delay

Experts’ Concerns

Experts argue that anti-corruption agencies must be:

• Independent
• Publicly accountable
• Well-funded to effectively tackle corruption

Fiji’s Auditor-General faces questions about its independence and impact, while the police force continues to grapple with corruption issues.

The Road Ahead

Ahead of the elections, it is crucial for the next government to establish or re-establish its anti-corruption credentials if Fiji is to build on any gains made in the fight against corruption. The Pacific Research Program at the Australian National University has conducted a budgetary analysis of Fiji’s key anti-corruption organisations, which can be found online.

This research was supported by the Pacific Research Program with funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The views expressed are those of the authors only.