28 May 2012

Cook Islands Parliament to meet from next week for Budget session

3:31 pm on 28 May 2012

The Cook Islands Parliament is to meet from the 7th of June for its Budget session.

The government has released some details of its spending plans and the Finance Minister, Mark Brown, says he is expecting to present a surplus budget.

The government will begin to raise the pension paid to people aged 70 and over this year.

Mr Brown says this is part of a government promise to see the fortnightly allowance double within 3 years.

Departure tax will be increased and it will be made compulsory for airlines to include this tax in the airfare.

The government will continue with its withholding tax but it may come off in next year's Budget.