15 Feb 2011

Cooks MP calls for more casual dress code

2:58 pm on 15 February 2011

A Cook Islands MP says it's time the dress code for parliament became more casual to save money on the clothing allowance.

The government is poised to reinstate the 3,800 US dollar clothing allowance for each of the 24 MPs.

Currently male MPs must wear in parliament suits and ties, and women their best Sunday dress.

Tagata Vavia says the dress code should be more relaxed.

"Some think that it lowers the standard of MPs, that's their view. But I think its the quality of what you're representing in parliament, then your dress [is]concerned. I accept the fact that you should be able to dress in a nice pareu shirt to go into parliament."

Tagata Vavia