Fiji's shadow environment minister has hit out at the climate change minister, telling him not to blame civil servants for government initiatives.
Plans for an extravagant ceremony for the prime minister's return from international climate talks in Germany last week were pulled after a public backlash at the cost.
The minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, told local media the proposal was unsanctioned and planned by "enthusiastic but naive" public servants.
But the opposition MP, Niko Nawaikula, has accused Mr Sayed-Khaiyum of using government workers as scapegoats for a government initiative that was hastily withdrawn.
However, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum insists this was, and a pared-back traditional welcome at the iTaukei ministry was always the plan.
Fiji government buildings Photo: RNZI / Sally Round