Parliament
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 […]
Cook Islands Government considers electoral reform to allow ‘better representation’
Thursday 26 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Cook Islands Party coalition government is exploring electoral reforms that could result in larger constituencies divided into two and smaller ones from the Pa Enua merged.
Parliament’s 12 sitting days sufficient for business: Clerk
Tuesday 24 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Cook Islands Parliament’s sitting days for 2024 have been sufficient to address all business, and the upcoming December session’s duration will depend on the specific agenda items, says the Clerk of Parliament.
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
Monday 23 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, National, Parliament
The Clerk of Parliament has come under fire for his comments on a radio talkback show that the Government will inevitably win the seabed mining battle due to its legal authority, despite protests and concerns from the public.
3000 companies at risk due to Act oversight: Browne
Monday 23 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
The Opposition leader’s Companies Amendment Bill aims to address a loophole in the 2017 Companies Act that has prevented thousands of companies from re-registering, causing potential significant economic hardship.
Parliament Select Committee recommends withdrawal of controversial Cryptocurrency Bill
Wednesday 18 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Local, National, Parliament, Technology
The special select committee looking into the Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill 2023 has recommended that the controversial Bill be withdrawn from Parliament.
Prime Minister welcomes At Sea, Sail Out Rally, rejects moratorium
Wednesday 18 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in Environment, Local, National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown has welcomed the At Sea,Sail Out Rally against deep-sea mining but has expressed reservations about thecall for a moratorium on deep-sea activities.
Parliament adjourns to1pm today
Tuesday 17 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Parliament was adjourned yesterday after sitting for 30 minutes to allow Members of Parliament to attend the opening ceremony of the Netball World Youth Qualifiers Oceania at the National Sports Arena.
‘We’re fighting to protect our people’ - Water petition tabled in Parliament
Tuesday 17 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Environment, National, Parliament
Ngatangiia MP Tukaka Ama tabled the ‘Keep Our Water Free’ petition opposing the incoming water tariffs in Parliament yesterday, and reiterated that it was their job to hear the voices of their people.
Select committee to table interim report on Constitutional Amendment Bills
Monday 16 September 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
The Constitutional Review Special Select Committee will table its Interim Report on its consultation work on the three Constitutional Amendment Bills already completed in Rarotonga (Te-Au-O-Tonga, Puaikura and Takitumu), Aitutaki, Mangaia and Nga-Pu-Toru.
Report on Crypto Bill not Parliament ready: Ama
Monday 16 September 2024 | Written by Talaia Mika | Published in National, Parliament, Technology
The chair of the select committee consulting about the Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill 2023 has revealed that the final report is on hold and needs to be reviewed again.
