29 Jun 2020

Speaker of Cook Islands parliament to rule on move to ban journalist

5:11 pm on 29 June 2020

The Cook Islands Speaker of Parliament will determine this week whether a Cook Islands News article was incorrect and unfair and if the newspaper's political editor will be barred from Parliament.

Nikki Rattle has asked for more time to listen to Hansard recordings and review livestream video and the newspaper article, as a Parliamentary motion requires.

Last Monday, a motion was passed by the majority in Parliament criticising the media report.

The article quoted Opposition MP Terepai Maoate Junior seeking payment of his spousal allowance entitlement, and asking whether outer island MPs living in their constituencies were entitled to the same privileges as those living on Rarotonga.

Prime Minister Henry Puna said the article pointed the finger at all MPs, suggesting they were just concerned about looking after themselves.

The (Cooks) Cook Islands Parliament in session

The Cook Islands Parliament in session Photo: Phillipa Webb / Cook Islands News