The Cook Islands deputy prime minister Dr Terepai Maoate and the remuneration tribunal chairman Richard Barton are refusing to confirm that they've been discussing a possible payrise for MPs.
The Cook Islands News reports the tribunal is not recommending any increase in MPs' pay packets.
The tribunal held its first meeting recently after being formed under a special act of parliament to set salaries and allowances for MPs and the Queen's Representative.
The act was passed after the higher salaries commission was sacked.
Mr Barton said there would be no recommendations on pay packets before Christmas, and in fact the tribunal would not meet again until some time in
January.
