Political uncertainty remains in Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is embroiled in political turmoil after the opposition claimed to have replaced the government in a no confidence vote.
Transcript
The Cook Islands is embroiled in political turmoil after the opposition claimed to have replaced the government in a no confidence vote.
The government has dismissed this week's move as a farce.
Don Wiseman has more.
A former speaker of the Cook Islands parliament says the actions of the opposition in voting out the prime minister were one hundred percent legitimate. Norman George, who is also a lawyer and had been an MP for a long time says the no confidence vote in parliament was made possible by the procedural errors by the Speaker Nikki Rattle. Mr George says the opposition was given a window when Nikki Rattle failed to follow through properly after an amendment was made to the adjournment motion.
NORMAN GEORGE: When the dust is settled the question is which motion did they vote? Because the procedure under standing orders is that you have got to deal with the amendment first. Any MP listening will know that. You have got to deal with the amendment first and if that is defeated then you go back to the original motion. Now the biggest mistake the speaker made was she did not get the amendment voted on.
He says the opposition coalition acted legally.
NORMAN GEORGE: Absolutely 100 percent legal and legitimate because the opposition caucus followed the letter of the law, of the parliamentary standing orders as well as the Cook Islands constitution.
The Cook Islands Finance Minister Mark Brown called the opposition move a farcical exercise but it could become criminal if they persist.
MARK BROWN: Well at the moment, the activity that has now taken place at Parliament can be regarded as a non-event. However I believe that if the opposition tries to push this further they would be bordering on an act that's treasonous, because it is trying to overthrow a legitimate government through an illegal means.
Mr Brown says the opposition's move has no legal basis.
MARK BROWN: That is my interpretation but I believe also that we have asked our crown law office to have a look at it. But it is very clear in the constitution that the decision of the speaker is final and cannot be challenged even by a court of law. And her decision is very clear in the hansard records that this parliament was adjourned sine die.
A day after the vote the opposition coalition was waiting outside a locked down Parliament as the political uncertainty continued. The opposition had planned to continue the session they say the government hadn't shut down. The deputy leader of the Opposition coalition Tamaiva Tuavera called the lockout wrong.
TAMAIVA TUAVERA: We came here with our new prime minister because parliament is still sitting. They have sorted their legal opinions but we haven't seen it in writing.
But the Speaker Nikki Rattle and the Clerk John Tangi made the decision and no one is permitted entry. The Clerk says the opposition coalition is doing the work of the devil, causing disunity in the country. Meanwhile the Queen's Representative, Tom Marsters, has now broadcast a legal view that the government is correct and that parliament had been properly adjourned.The opposition is continuing to seek legal opinions and our correspondent says they are working with some of the top lawyers in the Cooks on the matter.
The Prime Minister Henry Puna who has been in Palau is rushing home to deal with the turmoil.
To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following:
See terms of use.