Politics
MP talks about cannabis penalty
Thursday 6 December 2012 | Published in Politics
The country’s high maximum penalty for cannabis offences was discussed in Parliament on Tuesday.
Colagate comes up
Thursday 6 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen brought up ‘Colagate’ when debating clause nine of the Customs Tariff Amendment Bill on Tuesday.
'Diamonds are forever, but governments are not'
Thursday 6 December 2012 | Published in Politics
The second reading of the Customs Tariff Amendment Bill was held on Monday, but parliament ran out of time to debate all the clauses.
Low wages on public lips
Wednesday 5 December 2012 | Published in Politics
During parliamentary question-and-answer time yesterday, Teenui-Mapumai member Norman George asked a question high on the public’s priority list – the cost of living.
PNG mission a 'two-way dialogue'
Wednesday 5 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen questioned the point of the government’s recent trip to Papua New Guinea during parliamentary question-and-answer time on Monday.
Public service performance to be raised
Wednesday 5 December 2012 | Published in Politics
News that infrastructure ministry secretary Donya Numa has been suspended broke yesterday at the same time the Office of the Public Service Commissioner issued a release saying it intends to recruit someone who will help manage public servants’ work performance.
Numa suspended from public service
Wednesday 5 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen began parliament with a “straight forward” question about a senior public official whom he had heard was suspended from her job on Monday.
CPA meeting 'fruitful'
Tuesday 4 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Speaker of the House Niki Rattle opened parliament yesterday with a nod to why members took a three-week break from sitting.
Customs legislation passes second reading
Tuesday 4 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Parliament got down to serious business on Monday afternoon with the second reading of the Customs Tariff Amendment Bill.
PM: Is there an arsonist in Nikao?
Tuesday 4 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George asked the government during parliamentary question time yesterday what they are doing about the large number of “horrific fires” which have broken out around Rarotonga recently.
Misuse of public funds 'a concern'
Monday 3 December 2012 | Published in Politics
The recently-formed Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has released their first report on six key government agencies.
'Questions over goodwill' of Crown land
Monday 3 December 2012 | Published in Politics
The four-month-old Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has noted the government does not have an overall land policy to deal with Crown-owned land, and this causes confusion over rates and ownership.
Cabinet in Cooks for Parliament
Saturday 1 December 2012 | Published in Politics
All six cabinet members are in the country this week – parliament reconvenes for a two-week sitting on Monday.
'Say nothing, ask nothing, do nothing'
Friday 30 November 2012 | Published in Politics
A local lawyer and business owner believes the opposition is either “asleep or compromised” and the country is in danger of slipping into a culture of fear and silence.
How will cabinet answer 27 questions?
Wednesday 28 November 2012 | Published in Politics
Norman George is asking four cabinet members a record 27 questions during question-and-answer time in parliament next week – but is cabinet concerned?
Better leaders in government roles
Wednesday 28 November 2012 | Published in Politics
A group of Cook Islanders have recently qualified to become better leaders for the people.
Civil society organisations help the Cooks develop
Tuesday 27 November 2012 | Published in Politics
A large gathering of regional non-governmental organisations heard that better dialogue between them, government and donor partners is needed to develop Pacific countries effectively.
Cabinet travels 'to moon and back'
Tuesday 27 November 2012 | Published in Politics
Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George touched on subjects from cabinet’s travel to what party he really belongs to in his address on the Cook Islands’ political landscape at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference last week.
George asks the hard questions
Tuesday 27 November 2012 | Published in Politics
Independent MP for Teenui-Mapumai Norman George intends to be very vocal when parliament reconvenes on December 3.