The Cook Islands opposition coalition has boycotted the current sitting of Parliament but hasn't issued explained the reasons behind the move.
Cook Islands Parliament Photo: Supplied
The Deputy Prime Minister Teariki Heather has labelled the actions of the coalition as disrespectful of Parliament and ignorant of the important role of MPs to debate and pass legislation.
Mr Heather said in Parliament that by ignoring a summons recently issued by the Queens Representative to attend the sitting, the seats of all opposition coalition MP's should be declared vacant and by-elections held in each one.
Opposition Coalition CEO George Turia said they would not be making a public statement outlining the reasons behind the boycott until later this afternoon.
