Govt.’s Faumuina motion attacked

A motion moved by the government for former Minister of Finance, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, to be included in Parliament’s Finance Committee has raised eyebrows among Members of Parliament.

The motion was moved during Parliament’s last session in August, Speaker of Parliament, La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao, confirmed.

The motion, which also included Faumuina becoming a member of Parliament’s Privileges and Ethics Committee, was seconded and passed.

But the decision has reportedly upset members of the Committee, which is chaired by the Associate Minister of Communications, Papali’i Niko Lee Hang.

Other members of the Committee include Vice Chair and Associate Minister of Tourism, Tafua Maluelue Tafua, Associate Minister of Justice, Taefu Lemi, Associate Minister of Police, Tialavea Tionisio Seigafolava, leader of the Tautua Samoa

Party, Palusalue Fa’apo II, Tautua’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Afualo Dr. Wood Salele and Tautua’s Whip, Lealilepule Rimoni Aiafi.

Chairman Papali’i was not immediately available for a comment yesterday.

But Palusalue criticised the decision, saying it is inappropriate.

“If he is brought in, our committee will not be balanced,” he said.

“All Parliamentary committees consist of seven members. There are four from the ruling party and three from the opposition.”

Palusalue said the Prime Minister’s decision means there will be five H.R.P.P members against three.

“And that is unfair,” said Palusalue. “This is an obvious attempt to kill the opposition's voice in these committees".

“The worst thing (is that it appears that) any time they want members to be added on to any committee, they can just go ahead and do it".

Palusalue said he found it particularly difficult to accept the idea that a Member of Parliament who resigned from the Finance portfolio, over a number of allegations that have yet to be dealt with, can be readily thrown back into such an important committee – let alone involving finance.

Palusalue also criticised Speaker La’auli for allowing the motion in the House.

“If this is what he wants to use his discretion on, that is not how things are done,” said Palusalue. “We either follow the law or we don't".

Palusalue said Speaker La’auli should not have accepted the motion.

“Why would he accept it – obviously it came from the Prime Minister but he should look at these matters more seriously".

Palusalue also suggested that an Opposition party member should chair the Finance committee, as is the “case in democratic countries around the world".

Doing this would improve the government’s accountability and transparency.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa was not immediately available for a comment yesterday.

But Speaker La’auli said Palusalue’s criticisms were unfounded, since it was up to the Prime Minister to choose whoever he would like to be on a Parliamentary Committee.

“The decision comes from the leader of the government,” La’auli said.

The Speaker said Palusalue should raise such matters in Parliament, not outside of the House.

“Don’t address these issues outside because we get no solution from doing so, the solution is found in Parliament.”

La’auli said Palusalue - and any other Member of Parliament who is not happy about the decision - should raise the matter when Parliament reconvenes at the end of the month.

In April, Faumuina resigned as a Cabinet Minister. He did so when he broke his long held silence over numerous allegations against him.

Speaking during a Ministerial statement, Faumuina maintained his innocence, saying he acted in the best interest of the government and the people of Samoa.

He defended his behaviour over:

• Questions surrounding his time as the Minister of Works;

• Questions surrounding the South Pacific Games 2007;

• Questions surrounding the Samoa Land Corporation;

• Questions surrounding the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa;

• Questions surrounding the Unit Trust of Samoa.