Political Briefs

Chinese offer to build 200 homes in Aitutaki not pursued
The government will not pursue a suggestion by Chinese Construction Company CECC to approach the Chinese Embassy in Wellington for assistance to rebuild homes in Aitutaki wrecked by Cyclone Pat.
Mr Liu of the CECC had written a one page letter to Infrastructure Minister William Heather Jnr suggesting he write to the Embassy and ask for two things. Firstly for help with the recovery and secondly that the CECC undertake the construction of homes.
The Herald understands the offer which came through John Strickland, came too late. Cabinet had already decided that the homes should be built by Cook Islanders and any aid money donated for the purpose should remain in the Cook Islands. The recovery plan was based on the belief that Cook Islands workers do the recover work themselves. It is understood the Chinese had offered to build as many as 200 homes within a two month time frame.
New group to manage implementation phase of Aitutaki recovery
Minister in charge of the recovery of cyclone devastated Aitutaki, Hon Wilkie Rasmussen told the Herald on Tuesday evening that he is setting up a small group of experts to manage the implementation phase of the recovery.
The Cyclone Pat Recovery and Reconstruction Plan dated 4 March 2010 which was put together by the National Policy and Planning Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister has been accepted by New Zealand and other parties as a Business Plan blue print. While it is considered a “living” document subject the change, the time has now come for implementation. Rasmussen says he now wants to ease off now the State of Disaster has been lifted, so work can proceed. Rasmussen said government cannot rely solely on officials and outside experts are needed to drive things. Rasmussen said he needed people with the skills to reshape the aid management criteria and help develop proposals. He has already approached individuals and a further announcement will be made in due course.
CIP hint at support to recall parliament
On Radio Cook Islands on Wednesday morning, Leader of the CIP Henry Puna gave the strongest hint yet that the CIP would support government in recalling parliament. On Tuesday evening the Herald was made aware that government had indicated that if they had support from the parties, they would call parliament. Government’s position was the Demos and CIP should maintain the status quo as the time to go before the next election was only a matter of months. If the business of parliament can be completed, there is no reason why an early election cannot be called.
Review of Doctor’s salaries on hold
In 2008 a submission was prepared to review salaries paid to our doctors. The submission however did not progress to Cabinet as there was a cut to the Health budget of $500,000.
Recently, the submission was revived and looked at again. Particular attention was paid to starting salaries and salaries at the top end for senior doctors. However, progress has again been stalled due to other budgetary considerations and priorities. When approached by the Herald on Tuesday, Health Secretary Tupou Faireka could not say when the matter would be revisited.
New coordinator appointed
Last week, Teariki Rongo was appointed coordinator of the Community Initiative Fund (CIF) at Aid Management replacing Debbie Ave. Ave ended her tenure last week although she had resigned last year. The position is part time for Rongo.
Health Secretary off to conference
Secretary of Health Tupou Faireka is off to Geneva Switzerland for three weeks on Wednesday to attend a World Health Organization (WHO) workshop and conference on Tobacco. Faireka told the Herald on Tuesday the conference will review country strategies for combating tobacco use. The idea is to promote the successful strategies and ask why unsuccessful strategies failed.
The Cook Islands has for the last two years applied the strategies of education and awareness, introducing a 500 per cent levy on Tobacco and passing the no smoking laws in public places. In 2002, 35-40 per cent of the population smoked. By 2009 that percentage had dropped by 10 percent making our strategy mix a successful one. However, government is considering tightening up the no smoking laws with one consideration being to increase the penalties.
Registration a concern for traditional healers
Following the recent meeting at the Ministry of Health to discuss the registration of traditional medicine practitioners and alternative medicine practitioners, attended by some 20 persons, weekly meetings have been held of a core group of ten traditional healers. The group is known as “Te Vaka Taunga-Te Rito O Te Vairakau Maori.” Spokesperson Teariki Rongo advised the Herald on Tuesday the group is concerned that in the registration process, traditional practices will be compared to western medical practices. There are concerns that if not registered, traditional practitioners may not be able to practice. Rongo said the feeling was the group did not want to be registered under the Ministry of Health system but may consider registration under their own organization. There is to be a meeting with the Minister of Health at 5pm on Monday at the House of Ariki to discuss this issue and all Traditional medicine practitioners are invited.