The government is now dealing with the issue regarding former Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase’s additional benefits as a former Prime Minister under the law of the country.
While answering a question from Leader of Opposition, Ro Teimumu Kepa in parliament today, Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum confirmed that the full pension arrears of $583,263 has been paid out to Qarase for the period from December 2006 to December 2014.
Sayed-Khaiyum also confirmed that Qarase is also receiving the fortnightly pensions and his latest payment was made last Wednesday.
It has also been confirmed that Qarase has also claimed the reimbursement of telephone and medical expenses in the sum of $926.26 for the period 2013 and 2014.
This has also been paid out by the government.
Sayed-Khaiyum has revealed that Qarase has also claimed a cash allowance of $245,000 from 5th December 2006 and 5th February 2015.
Under the law, there is a $30,000 yearly allocation for the engagement of personnel staff for the former Prime Minister.
The cabinet office has written to Qarase to verify who were the staff who were engaged and how much they were paid.
The office has also told him that the $30,000 is not just paid out on an annual basis as it must go towards the payment of salaries for the staff.
Sayed-Khaiyum said Qarase responded to this on Monday.
The Attorney General said Qarase has also claimed transport allowance in the sum of $392,000 for the same period.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum accepts that a vehicle was not provided to him however they are now looking at a way to pay him.
He said this can be done based on the vehicle mileage.
Sayed-Khaiyum said Qarase has responded to that and said he does not have the mileage records.
Qarase said since 2008, he has been using a vehicle belonging to his family company, Q Ten Investments.
Qarase has told the government in his letter that his driver receives a weekly allowance paid for by Qarase’s son now living in Australia.
Qarase said he could not afford to pay for a driver because his pension was withheld by the government until December 2014.
He has told the government that he had promised his son that he will pay him back.
Qarase has told the cabinet office that the payments of the driver’s allowances were not documented.
He has provided the mileage of the vehicle used from 2008.
He said he sold the other vehicle which he used between December 2006 to 2008.
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