Six Bills were presented and tabled during yesterday’s Parliament sitting.

The Public Health Bill 2024 was tabled by the Minister for Health Rose Toki-Brown who also presented the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill 2024.

The Cook Islands Investment Corporation Amendment Bill 2024 and Manatua Cable Protection Bill 2024 was tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Albert Nicholas. Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Tingika Elikana presented the Cook Islands Immigration Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2024.

Prime Minister Mark Brown tabled the Appropriation Bill 2024-25, the key piece of legislation for this sitting of Parliament.

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Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Mitiaro Member of Parliament Tuakeu Tangatapoto presided over the Question-and-Answer session at Parliament yesterday.

Tangatapoto took on the Deputy Speaker’s role in February after being nominated by the government.

Yesterday, he thanked all Cabinet Ministers, and Members of Parliament for trusting him with the role.

He offered the House his assurances that he would perform his duties to the best of his ability. 

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During question time, Cook Islands United Party leader Teariki Heather asked the Minister responsible for the Airport about what happened to the tractor that was used to cut the airport lawns.

Deputy Prime Minister Albert Nicholas responded to Heather, saying that they were still waiting for a part to fix the tractor. Nicholas said the airport team were using Nikao constituency’s tractor at the moment and T&M Heather workshop was looking into fixing the airport tractor.