Enough is enough as CIP take final step to get rid of MP

The Opposition will put the ‘anti-vaka-jumping’ legislation to the test and are forwarding a letter to the speaker today to have the Pukapuka-Nassau seat declared vacant.

Vai Peua who was elected as a Cook Islands Party MP in the September 2006 elections, signed an agreement pledging his support for the Democratic Party government last month.

This follows the MP declaring himself as an independent in April 2007 and resisting calls to return to the CIP fold.

CIP leader Henry Puna says they are tired of the alleged deceit displayed by the MP and sick of being used as a door mat.

“No more,” says Puna. “It is a very important matter of principle. We in the opposition support the principles of parliamentary democracy, the integrity in parliament and honesty of MPs, and we believe that these principles have been breached.”

The opposition actually got the ball rolling to get rid of Peua last year after an amendment was made to the Electoral Act in August 2007. The amendment was actually introduced into the house on April 13 that year – three days after the MP declared himself independent in parliament.

According to clause 105B(a) of the act, if a member fails to support the majority of the parliamentary members of the political party for which that member was elected, on an issue of confidence, then the seat shall become vacant.

Under the legislation, the parliamentary leader of the party concerned must deliver to the speaker a notice signed by him, and supported by not less than two-thirds of the parliamentary members of the party. However this happens after a letter is delivered to the MP concerned. This was done in July last year.

The disappointing aspect of the current situation, says Puna, is the hypocrisy shown by government in relation to this legislation.

After passing and supporting the amendment, Puna says they have incited Peua to enter into an arrangement which is “morally objectionable”.

“It’s terribly disappointing and very deceitful of government – not only to the people of Pukapuka and Nassau, but also to the people of this country.”

Puna says that after the amendment became law, they have identified two occasions last year when Peua has voted with government on confidence issues in parliament. On June 18 Peua voted to support the motion of confidence in the prime minister and cabinet, and then again voted in support of the 2008-09 budget on June 27.

Puna says Peua was warned by deputy leader Teina Bishop of his obligations at the time and when this did not eventuate, the party took action under the amendment.

“This is a very important piece of legislation. Minister [Tangata] Vavia said at the time that this was a response out of concern by our people over the party-hopping by MPs and that this was designed to put an end to this.”

However after receiving a response from Peua denying any breaches of the law, Puna says the party had discussions to “try and take steps to try and get him back into the fold”.

Peua met with opposition leader Tom Marsters at the latter’s home on September 11 last year, and brought with him a couple of Pukapuka CIP elders, papa William and papa Rubena.

Marsters says the two elders told Peua in no uncertain terms that the party never authorised him to leave the party, but that all he had support for was for him to get what he could for Pukapuka and Nassau.

“They told him that if he did not come back then he won’t represent the party at the next elections.”

Marsters claims Peua asked for some time to sort out a few issues with the deputy prime minister.

The CIPs never heard from him again.

But Marsters believes that Peua was always aware of his position in parliament.

“Vai was always coming to ask whether he should support legislation in the house which raises the point that he was mindful of his legal position.”

“Enough is enough,” says Puna. “We believe it is time to sever the ties and let him go.

“When we heard of the working arrangement with the government, we took that as a signal that there was no prospect of him coming home.

“We are taking the final step of writing to the speaker to declare the seat vacant.”

Puna says there is a concern that the speaker may just sit on the letter and not act on the matter.

“If they do nothing then it shows clearly that they want to have their cake and eat it too and that they weren’t really serious about the anti-party hopping legislation in the first place.

The letter will be delivered to the speaker before the start of parliament at 1pm today.

• Moana Moeka’a