8 Oct 2019

Samoa MPs question records bill

10:52 pm on 8 October 2019

Some MPs in Samoa have questioned the motivation behind a proposal to allow the revenue minister access to citizens' tax and customs records.

Samoa's parliament

Samoa's parliament Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

The bill would give the minister, who is currently Tialavea Tionisio Hunt, access to any information, records or documents related to customs or tax matters.

The Samoa Observer reported several MPs criticising the bill's ambiguous definition of personal information.

They also raised concerns about privacy and unfettered power.

MP Fuimaono Teo Samuelu said the minister could already access the information through official channels.