Parliament
CIIC defends in-house projects after ‘high’ private sector bids
Tuesday 25 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Business, Local, National, Parliament
Cook Islands government is prioritising keeping project costs affordable and will use the public sector model or engage private sectors selectively to deliver projects within budget.
Cook Islands laws now consolidated and freely accessible online
Tuesday 25 June 2024 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Court, National, Parliament
The Parliament of the Cook Islands, the Crown Law Office and Aotearoa New Zealand’s LexisNexis have collaborated to make the laws of the Cook Islands consolidated, accessible and clear.
PM pledges return of community policing to tackle ‘rising crime’
Tuesday 25 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, Local, National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Police, says he will ensure the re-establishment of community police to tackle the rising crime rate in Rarotonga.
Public Accounts Committee to elect chair and deputy ‘following Standing Orders’
Monday 24 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
Public Accounts Committee’s newly appointed chair Teokatai Herman confirmed that the committee will be convening soon to elect both the chair and deputy chair, following the proper process outlined in the Standing Orders.
PM Brown: ‘Police portfolio is under my responsibility and I take that very seriously’
Monday 24 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Crime, National, Parliament
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will retain control of the Police portfolio despite a request from another Minister and will focus on improving police standards and staffing.
Parliament cuts debate time to pass $328 million Budget
Saturday 22 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Parliament yesterday expedited the process to pass the $328 million 2024/25 Budget after only five half-days of debate on the appropriations.
Minister Angene makes ‘humble request’ for Police portfolio to address youth crime
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Court, Crime, Local, National, Parliament
Minister for Corrective Services George “Maggie” Angene has asked Prime Minister Mark Brown to consider giving him the Minister for Police portfolio.
Pay rise for teachers, Concerns remain about quality and qualifications
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Education, National, Parliament
Parliamentarians discussed the Education Ministry’s budget increase, with some welcoming the teacher salary rise but highlighting the need for improved quality and qualified teachers, especially in the outer islands.
Airport upgrades key to unleashing economic potential of Pa Enua: PM
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Local, National, Outer Islands, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown emphasises that the Manihiki Airport upgrade is not a political promise or a vote buying attempt but a project designed to improve the lives of people in the Pa Enua (outer islands).
Parliament News
Friday 21 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Minister for Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) and Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) Albert Nicholas says they are surveying the Rutaki foreshore area.
Inmates enjoying ‘high standard’ of living
Thursday 20 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Minister for Corrective Services George “Maggie” Angene says the inmate numbers at the Corrective Services in Arorangi have decreased since he took on the minister’s role in 2018.
Former PAC chair calls for scrutiny of both overspending and underspending
Thursday 20 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Minister for Parliamentary Services, Foreign Affairs and Marine Resources Tingika Elikana says he hopes that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will ensure that money appropriated by government will be spent accordingly.
Ombudsman awaits police updates on six complaints
Thursday 20 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Minister for Ombudsman Vaine “Mac” Mokoroa says the Office of the Ombudsman has received eight complaints from the 2017-2024.
PM Brown expresses optimism for Cook Islands’ 2032 FestPAC bid
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Culture, Entertainment, National, Parliament
Cook Islands government is keeping its fingers crossed as it awaits the decision of the Pacific Arts Council regarding the host of the 2032 Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture.
Demos have ‘no desire’ to rejoin Government-dominated Public Accounts Committee, says Browne
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
Opposition leader Tina Browne says the Democratic Party MPs have no desire to re-join the ‘Cook Islands Party/Coalition Public Accounts Committee’ after resigning last month over difference of opinion.
‘Focus on policing’: MFEM to take over Cook Islands Police finances
Wednesday 19 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
Prime Minister Mark Brown says police will now focus on policing matters while the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) manages their finances to improve budget management and staff retention.
PAC recommends passing Budget, Opposition cites procedural issues
Tuesday 18 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in National, Parliament
The Government MPs-led Public Accounts Committee’s only recommendation is that the 2024-2025 Appropriation Bill (Budget) be passed in Parliament, says its new chair.
Budget takes centre stage
Monday 17 June 2024 | Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, National, Parliament
This week’s Parliament Sitting, which begins today and is expected to run for five days, will focus on the 2024-2025 National Budget.
Opposition discusses returning to PAC, but concerns remain
Saturday 15 June 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in National, Parliament, Politics
The Democratic Party MPs will be meeting today to discuss the possibility of rejoining the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) after resigning last month over the appointment of the new chair.
Opposition MPs walk out of PAC over chair appointment
Friday 31 May 2024 | Written by Rashneel Kumar | Published in Features, National, Parliament, Politics
The three Opposition Members of Parliament have quit the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the appointment of the new chair, leaving four Government MPs reviewing the Appropriation Bill 2024-25.
