Dear Editor, I am still trying to wrap my mind around the justification made by (Minister) Tingika Elikana during the recent consultations that because we now have more money compared to 10 years ago, this warrants increasing our number of Ministers in Parliament.

Their workload has increased apparently. There was also talk about proxies. Seriously?

So Mr CIP Government, when you asked me for my vote, you didn’t mention at the time that there would be the possibility that you wouldn’t be going in to work for the money that we Joe Public would be paying you. You didn’t tell us the voters that the money you would be paid, you wouldn’t actually have to do anything to earn it. I see it as free money for you because I don’t see any work being done to earn that money.

Then you didn’t say that there would be the odd days when you wouldn’t be in Parliament but it’s ok because you would get someone to vote on your behalf. Like really? Wow.

So I don’t mean anything anymore? Wait. Did I actually mean anything before you got my vote? Now you come along today and try to make me feel important by telling me that I am the one to decide whether we should have 9 ministers. But you have already decided that yourself, haven’t you? I mean it’s a salary of what? Over $120,000 per annum. So why wouldn’t you all agree? Then the consultations are for what other than another waste of time and money? To show you care? Don’t worry about us small folk who are struggling on $9 an hour.

Politics aye! Whose clever mind came up with this epiphany? Either way, we the people are the losers. The people who trusted you to look after us by voting you in as government.

Since 2010 our blind loyalty has just been used and abused.

Iriti Maoate