Parliament
Utilities Bill to ensure efficient services: PM
Saturday 7 December 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown says that the Utilities Regulations (Electricity, Water and Sewerage Services) Bill 2024 will ensure that electricity and water services are provided efficiently, safely, and reliably, while also being offered at fair prices for the long-term benefit of customers.
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
Friday 6 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament
Deputy Prime Minister, Albert Nicholas has defended Cook Islands Investment Corporation’s (CIIC) financial practices and travel policies which were raised in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) annual review report for 2022-2023.
New cargo-passenger vessel to arrive in July 2025, confirms PM
Thursday 5 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown has announced that the new cargo-passenger vessel funded by the Japanese government is set to arrive in July 2025.
Parliament forms committee to examine religious restrictions
Wednesday 4 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Culture, National, Parliament
A special select committee has been formed to examine the Religious Organisations Restrictions Act 1975 and address issues related to the introduction of new religious organisations in the Cook Islands.
Committee reviewing water petition: Vainerere
Tuesday 3 December 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Bills, Petitions and Papers Committee is still working on its final report on the Keep Our Water Free Petition.
Minister Elikana cautions against limiting religious organisations
Tuesday 3 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament
Minister of Foreign Affairs Tingika Elikana fired back at the Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) for Matavera, Vaitoti Tupa, on his suggestion to revisit the Religious Organisation Restrictions Act 1975 to further limit religious organisations in the country.
Cook Islands Government withdraws controversial Cryptocurrency Bill for ‘redrafting’
Tuesday 3 December 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
Cook Islands Government has withdrawn the Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill 2023 following widespread criticism and a recommendation from the special select committee to remove the controversial bill.
Parliament to set 2025 sitting days amidst 2024 shortfall
Monday 2 December 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
The final Parliamentary sitting of the year will begin today with the presentation of several reports and public bills.
Mangaia Science Expo: Island students explore ‘Beyond the Sky’
Thursday 28 November 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Mangaia School students and island residents are being treated to a rare opportunity to participate in a science expo titled “Te Rangi Atea – Beyond the Sky,” held on the island this week.
SG chairs Companies Amendment Bill sub-committee
Tuesday 29 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
A parliamentary sub-committee chaired by the Solicitor-General Lauaki Annandale has been approved by Parliament to review the Companies Amendment Bill 2024.
PAC urges NES to waive fees for public projects
Tuesday 22 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National, Parliament
The National Environment Service (NES) has been advised by the Public Accounts Committee to consider waiving permit fees for community projects by adopting a social responsibility approach.
PAC urges transparency in boating investigations
Thursday 10 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended that the Ministry of Transport be transparent in its investigations of serious boating incidents and that the lack of technical staff has impacted its ability to monitor and enforce shipping regulations.
Public Accounts Committee calls for transparency in CIIC budget process
Tuesday 8 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has advised the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) to disclose all anticipated income during the budget process and to Parliament.
PAC report criticises former Culture secretary’s financial oversight
Monday 7 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The former secretary for the Ministry of Cultural Development “did not ensure” that there were strong controls in place and that careful judgment was applied when authorising six financial transactions of more than $12,000 of taxpayers’ money, states the recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report.
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee is concerned with the Minister for Corrective Services’ authority to ‘influence or directly manage’ the release of inmates from prison, while the Minister denies these claims and maintains that all work release protocols are being followed.
Brown shares Vanuatu experience
Saturday 5 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Associate Minister for Health Te-Hani Brown recently attended a meeting in Vanuatu which she said was beneficial for Members of Parliaments from the Pa Enua as it provided exposure to medical equipment suitable for the outer islands.
MPs spend nearly half of travel budget in less than three months
Wednesday 2 October 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Cook Islands Members of Parliament (MPs) have spent nearly half of their annual travel and allowance budget in less than three months.
Govt commits to home care for elderly despite challenges
Monday 30 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Government provides funding to support families in caring for elderly people at home, despite the challenges faced by many families in providing 24-hour care, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Govt entities failing to meet reporting obligations: PAC
Monday 30 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee is urging Cabinet Ministers to take action and work with their respective ministries and agencies to submit their report to Parliament.
Transportation issues stalling parliamentary consultations in Northern Group
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Constitutional Review Special Select Committee is awaiting confirmation from Parliament Services regarding flight arrangements for their consultations on the three Constitutional Amendment Bills in the Northern Pa Enua. This was confirmed by the Committee chair and Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Tingika Elikana yesterday. Presenting a verbal report in Parliament last week, Elikana said […]
