Niue Government undaunted by no confidence motion

Transcript

The Acting Premier of Niue says he's not worried about a motion of no confidence entered by the opposition and is confident of winning the election in April.

Opposition MPs entered a motion of no confidence in the government last week because of concerns over various policies such as the four-day working week for public servants.

But the Acting Premier Pokotoa Sipeli told Bridget Tunnicliffe they will have the numbers when the vote is held in two days.

POKOTOA SIPELI: We had a meeting last week, the caucus and all of the members were supporting the government of today, they'll support the government of the day, no changing.

BRIDGET TUNNICLIFFE: The opposition MPs say they're doing it because they want to force the government to discuss some of its policies that they say aren't in the interests of Niue such as the four-day working week, has the government been open to debate about some of those policies?

PS: The four-day week is already started last week and the opposition want to debate on those issues and those policies. But the main thing behind it is that they want to smear the government, that's the whole story about it, we know they don't have the numbers.

BT: So you think that they are doing it to put doubt in peoples' minds about the government's ability?

PS: That's the purpose behind their vote of no-confidence.

BT: Why did no government ministers turn up to a meeting last week that was scheduled to discuss the no-confidence motion?

PS: On Wednesday last week we didn't turn up for that meeting because it was a continuation of the meeting on Monday the 20th so instead of continuing an adjourned meeting from the Monday. What's the use of having the meeting continue when the opposition do not support the government? They already put in the motion of no-confidence.

BT: So you thought it was a waste of time?

PS: It's a waste of time, the continuation of the previous meeting is supposed to be held today but it's not, instead of that the speaker postponed or cancelled today's meeting but he put on the vote of no-confidence for Wednesday this week.

BT: The opposition say that the government doesn't really like to debate or discuss policies.

PS: According to the constitution it doesn't mention in the constitution to debate the motion and then vote.

BT: So you thought it wasn't necessary.

PS: No it wasn't necessary, the meeting for the vote of no-confidence will be held on Wednesday, we understand to have the meeting and vote, not to debate, that's what's stated in the constitution.

BT: Are you confident that you can win the elections in April?

PS: Yes, we are sure of that.

BT: What about the four-day working week, is it a risky policy for you because it doesn't sound like it's very popular.

PS: This is on trial until June, if the government finds out that it doesn't work then we go back to the five days, it's on trial.

BT: And you're happy with the direction this government has taken and what it's achieved in its term?

PS: Yes, I'm happy, no worries.