Politics
No functioning government during November
Saturday 15 December 2012 | Published in Politics
During parliamentary question time this week, Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George asked Deputy Prime Minister Tom Marsters why the country did not have a functioning government for a week in November.
Question time a 'fundamental right'
Saturday 15 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Independent MP Norman George was disgruntled to hear that after he left parliament early on Wednesday, the House voted to remove his 15 remaining questions from the order paper.
Triad threatens court action
Friday 14 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Triad Pacific Petroleum Ltd principal Chris Vaile has written to four members of parliament with an impassioned plea for a fair fuel deal.
Election promise 'virtually impossible' to achieve
Friday 14 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George questioned the government on its election promise to sit in parliament for 100 days – and said it had been just 23 days instead.
Cabinet travels 'too much'
Friday 14 December 2012 | Published in Politics
The prime Minister’s final statement was tabled in parliament to allow opposition to debate it.
LA flight subsidy questioned
Friday 14 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen asked whether the government’s $12.5 million subsidy of Air New Zealand’s direct flights to Rarotonga from Los Angeles and Sydney could stop being paid if the airline’s route profits reached a certain level.
Students hard up in Cuba
Thursday 13 December 2012 | Published in Politics
The Cuban government has not upheld their end of an agreement to fund Cook Islands medical students’ education and living costs, said health minister Nandi Glassie.
Parliament finishing up today
Thursday 13 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Parliament finishes up for the year this afternoon – a day earlier than planned.
Beneficiaries get benefit bonus
Thursday 13 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Finance minister Mark Brown made two announcements in parliament yesterday, starting the Christmas season on a positive note.
'Time to retire' for parliament clerk
Thursday 13 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Long-serving retiring clerk of parliament Nga Valoa is leaving big shoes to fill.
Civil rights legislation 'welcome' says lawyer
Wednesday 12 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Lawyer and opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen said the Judicature Amendment Act 2012 is much-needed civil rights legislation.
Triad gives 'solutions' to Toagate says MP
Wednesday 12 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen asked finance minister Mark Brown in parliament this week whether he received a letter from Triad director Chris Vaile “as recently as last week” which gave suggested solutions to a long-running fuel saga.
Was Numa paid out?
Tuesday 11 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Opposition leader Wilkie Rasmussen asked during parliament question time last Friday whether it was true that recently suspended ministry head Donye Numa was offered a payout to ease her out of the job. Rasmussen said he had heard that Public Service Commissioner (PSC) Russell Thomas had offered Numa a severance pay cheque before suspending her from the Ministry of Infrastructure and planning top job on Monday.
Stronger rights for workers
Tuesday 11 December 2012 | Published in Politics
“Long overdue legislation” in the form of the Employment Relations Bill was passed into Cook Islands law yesterday.
'If you perform you are safe in your job'
Monday 10 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Cabinet members met with heads of ministries for a two day retreat last week to discuss next year’s budget.
'Multitasking' minister Mark Brown
Monday 10 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Finance minister Mark Brown is making the most of parliament’s wireless internet allowance to update the public on the House proceedings.
Workers right better protected in new legislation
Monday 10 December 2012 | Published in Politics
The rights of workers are to be better protected in groundbreaking legislation that includes protections around maternity leave, discrimination and termination.
PM: We have nothing to hide
Monday 10 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Prime Minister Henry Puna said the government has “nothing to hide” when deciding which company to grant a shipping licence to.
35% foreign workers 'an error', says Marsters
Monday 10 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Teenui-Mapumai MP Norman George has admitted he did not get the figures about foreigners making up 35 percent of the workforce from an official source.
PM asks to finish early
Saturday 8 December 2012 | Published in Politics
Speaker of the House Niki Rattle told parliament on Wednesday that two half days had been set aside during parliament’s two-week sitting for policy discussions.
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