“I’m still PM”-Jim

Early election possible

Despite being sacked from the Democratic Party, PM Hon Jim Marurai says he is still Prime Minister.
The Herald understands as at 1pm Wednesday that the PM is considering his options.
The Democratic Party may have painted themselves into a corner over their determination to see Maoate re-instated as DPM and Finance Minister.
It is Parliament which appoints the PM not the Political Party. There would need to be a vote of no confidence in parliament to remove the PM but it is the PM who summons parliament. It is the PM who appoints Ministers and allocates their portfolios.
At present, the PM says he is “party-less” but still the PM.
In relieving Sir Terepai earlier as DPM and Minister of Finance, the PM was seen to be sending a strong signal to his Ministers that there must be more transparency and accountability where public funds are concerned. That was not the case in the Toa affair and the former DPM should quite rightly, be accountable. He should have offered to take full responsibility for the Toa affair and stand down.
The Herald has now learnt that the PM is seriously considering calling a snap election however there is the question of whether he can command the confidence of the majority of the House. The Herald further understands the PM is looking into the situation that lead up to the snap election in 2006 and has already sought advice.
A snap election will be bad news for Toa and the settlement process which must be actioned by the end of March. A Supplementary Budget is required so parliament can appropriate funds for the Toa settlement. The previous budget appropriated $5 million for the purchase of Toa. Any snap election will delay the Toa settlement and cause more legal runctions. That the former DPM should want to be responsible for a new fiasco is beyond comprehension.
A snap election may not be advantageous for those Demo MPs who side with Maoate. Public feeling is that someone had to take the fall for the Toa affair and the PM decided that someone is Sir Terepai.

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
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- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?