Court case ‘real reason for vote’

PORT VILA – The Lands Minister in the ousted Vanuatu government, Ralph Regenvanu, has rejected the new government’s claim concerning the distribution of relief aid after Cyclone Pam in March.

Joe Natuman was removed as prime minister after three members of his coalition government sided with the opposition to pass a motion of confidence against him and Sato Kilman, who was sacked as foreign minister the previous week, was subsequently elected as the new prime minister.

One of the reasons cited for the motion was controversy over the distribution of post-cyclone aid, that it was too slow and imbalanced in favour of the former prime minister Natuman’s home province.

However Regenvanu says this doesn’t stack up.

“I don’t think the concern about distribution of relief supplies was valid because Vanuatu was praised internationally about how the government was dealing with the aftermath of Cyclone Pam, and so we consider that a much better evaluation of our efforts than what is in the opposition’s motion.”

Regenvanu says the main and real reason for the removal was to derail a serious court case against a group of MPs over bribery allegations.

“In my view that was the main reason for the motion – to try and prevent the court case against the 19 members of

the opposition which goes to court today.

“They are facing serious charges and it’s a very solid case too. If it got through, those MPs would be convicted and lose their seats and wouldn’t be able to stand in the next election.”

Regenvanu has been replaced as Minister of Lands by Paul Telukluk.

A Vanuatu-based academic says yesterday’s change of government could have implications for the country’s recovery from Cyclone Pam.

The founder of Devpacific Thinknet, Tess Newton Cain, says the previous government had just put together a two-year recovery programme for the country which was being considered by the council of ministers.

She says it’s not clear if Kilman’s government will oversee a change in tactics.

“That was going to form the basis of working with donors and lenders about financing, reconstruction and rehabilitation of things like schools and health facilities and infrastructure.

“So I guess that’s what we’ll be looking to first is to what happens to that plan, whether it’s progressed in its current form or whether it will be held back for review and reformulation by the new government.”

Yesterday’s ousting of Natuman is the ninth change of prime minister in Vanuatu in five years, with no confidence motions being a regular feature in the country’s politics.