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HERALD WEEKLY ISSUE 432 : 05 November 2008

New political party to be launched

On Monday the Herald was shown a document promoting the formation of a new political party.
It sets out various policies aimed at giving people a more equitable share in the nation’s wealth, more say in the direction of the nation’s development and a greater involvement in its economic development and prosperity. A spokesperson for the new party who wishes to remain anonymous, said the plan is to launch the party early in 2009.
For those who are tired of the same old do nothing Government whether it be a coalition arrangement, Democratic or Cook Islands Party, the new party could be a viable alternative for those looking for a change.
The spokesperson said the organizers of the proposed new Party are convinced that the public at large are plain sick and tired of the ongoing political infighting and the lack of urgency and attention given to our dwindling economy.
They said the political positioning and one upmanship within Government and the Opposition as well have clouded the leadership of the country. Economic forecasting places the Cook Islands in a vulnerable position because we are dictated to by external forces. What the nation needs right now they said is decisive and courageous leadership. Instead no-one is clear just who the leader is.
While the Democratic Government is at war within itself, it issues public statements claiming the Prime Minister Jim Marurai and Deputy Prime Minister Sir Terepai Maoate are unified and behind each other.
They said the Cook Islands Party failed to sort out their leadership differences at their recent Party Conference.
Party faithful from both sides continue to bury their heads in the sand while the public at large continue to get more frustrated at the political nest feathering and hypocrisy is openly, unashamedly displayed.
The spokesperson said the new Party organizers claim the time is right for a new Party to press its claims for governance.
Policies not personalities will be at the forefront of the new Party its instigators claim.
The new Party organizers say they will be innovative and think laterally about issues that affect every Cook Islander.
According to the draft document, if given a two thirds mandate to govern the new Party pledges to reduce parliamentary representation by seven seats. The revised set up will be;
Six seats on Rarotonga, two for Aitutaki, one for Mangaia, one for Atiu and the rest status quo, a total of 17 members of parliament.
Rarotonga will be represented by two members from each of the three Vakas.
If there is a merger of the Manihiki and Rakahanga seats then the new party will seek to introduce a Presidential style of election process for a Prime Minister who will select his Deputy from the existing pool of parliamentarians. At least this way says the document, everyone will know who the Leader is and that will not change for four years.
After one term of parliament the new Party will reduce the term of office from four to three years to enhance accountability to the voters.
A Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians will be introduced.
All politicians will be allocated defined tasks to ensure they are working fulltime. Those who wish to carry out private work can do so but on a reduced member of parliament salary.
Outer islands communications and transport feature in the new party’s document. Local telephone calls and internet charges will be standard right throughout the country.
Shipping/air travel and freight to the outer islands excluding Aitutaki, will be subsidized on a cost of living basis.
Northern group shipping will be linked to a closer international port either Tonga or Samoa. Air services will also be considered with the same ports. As an example, a Sydney to Tonga/Samoa then the Northern group will be significantly cheaper than a route through Rarotonga.
Social welfare benefits will also incur a cost of living adjustment. Rarotonga will be 1, Aitutaki x 1.25, southern group x 1.5 and the northern group x 2.
Immediate attention will be given to the manganese nodules. If they were the government right now, the $10 million offer by the Endeavour Group would be accepted and distributed to every island in the country. The money will be held in trust in the Bank of the Cook Islands.
With a formula based on 18,500 people, (Northern group x 2, Southern group x 1.5, Rarotonga x 1) divided into the $10 million. The funds would be dispersed as follows; Northern group $1.62 million, Southern group $2.97 million, Rarotonga $5.4 million.
The document does not explain how each sector will receive or spend the money except to add there were a number of options that the funds could be processed through the management of the nationally owned Bank of the Cook Islands.
The document addresses the partial privatization of State owned utilities. Development capital can be raised through Government sharing the ownership of Telecom, Airport, Ports, Te Aponga, Water Works and the BCI with the private sector.
The new Government will look at offering the public 45% of ownership in the named Government monopolies. According to the document the sharing of ownership is not a complicated issue or process to be implemented.
The document also discusses the “messed up” employment/immigration situation the country is in.
It notes that while foreign workers are pouring into the country, outer island workers are flying out in significant numbers to work in freezing works in New Zealand and Australia as well as to the Western Australian mines. Groups of 30 or more have left recently or are leaving soon from both Aitutaki and Mangaia.
While the document is in its third draft, it concludes that more election winning policies will be forthcoming in the next draft to be released before Christmas then another late January 2009 before a final draft prospectus and manifesto is released at a new Party launch possibly in March 2009.
In next week’s issue we reveal other policies the document proposes.