Let the games begin!

They’re at it again! The political games have started and already we have seen confusion over when parliament will start, lack of communication, accusations of secrecy and the threat of a boycott by the opposition.
There was certainly considerable confusion among MPs on Thursday as to whether parliament would be sitting on Thursday. Order was eventually restored and parliament was set to sit at 10am Friday. This follows advice that the Pukapuka petition hearing had concluded and advice by the PM to the QR to summon parliament.
Media interest picked up when the Times learnt on Tuesday that parliament was to sit at 10am on Thursday. When advised of this on Wednesday morning, Norman George told the Times no-one had informed him. He was due to fly to Atiu on Thursday morning. The Prime Minister was due to fly to Auckland on Thursday afternoon for a meeting with NZ PM John Key.
Demo Party President Sean Willis told the Times on Thursday he heard an announcement of the sitting timed for Thursday on Radio Cook Islands news while in Aitutaki.
The Herald was aware the Pukapuka petition hearing was still in progress at the High Court in Avarua on Wednesday and in fact continued through to 1.30am Thursday morning with the decision expected about 3pm on Thursday.
At 12.30pm Thursday the media was invited to a media conference at the Office of the Opposition. Parliament was now due to sit at the later time of 1pm on Thursday afternoon.
On arrival it was noticed that the Democratic Party caucus was meeting with Opposition Leader Robert Wigmore. Most of the Executive was also there including Party President Sean Willis.
Close to 1pm Robert Wigmore delivered an address to the media. It was a short announcement to state that the Demo MPs would not attend be attending parliament unless summoned by the Queen’s Representative.
While MPs normally get seven days notice when the QR summons parliament, under the Constitution the QR can summon parliament at anytime on the advice of the PM.
According to Selina Napa the Opposition Leader’s Support Office CEO, they received a phone call at 11.30am on Thursday to advise that Thursday’s sitting was postponed and that parliament may or may not sit at 10am on Friday.
Wigmore told the media calling parliament under urgency was not the right thing to do. He saw no urgency and the nation had the right to know parliament was being called. Wigmore said he saw no problem if the PM was not present.
He thought the calling of parliament may have been related to the 90 day provision under the Constitution. The PM needed to be selected and sworn in by the QR, there were new MPs to be sworn in and also a new Speaker.
Wigmore told the media the Demos would not support an increase in the salary of the Speaker and although they could not prevent such a move, they would voice their opposition in parliament.
He said caucus had discussed a shadow cabinet with Rasmussen responsible for Finance and William Heather Jnr responsible for Infrastructure for example.

By Charles Pitt

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