Cooks opposition accepts QR's decision

Transcript

The Cook Islands opposition says it will respect the decision of the Queen's Representative who issued a legal opinion that its attempt to remove the government was illegal.

The opposition on June 20th used what they considered an error by the Speaker to stage a vote of no confidence, aiming to replace prime minister Henry Puna.

They claimed the Speaker, Nikki Rattle, had failed to properly adjourn the session, leaving parliament still in session.

But the Queen's Representative, Tom Marsters, agreed with the government which had earlier called the opposition move a farce.

Don Wiseman asked the opposition leader, Teina Bishop, that if the government was in the right and the opposition in the wrong, is that the end of the matter?

TEINA BISHOP: No we were all in the wrong, according to the standing orders of the Parliament's procedures, we're all in the wrong.

DON WISEMAN: Where does the opposition go from this point?

TB: It's public knowledge - on radio today and I was in front of the queen's representative yesterday. I did say to him to him that will respect his decision but we will not agree with it.

DW: Alright, I mean the government earlier in the week, Mark Brown, suggested because of the actions you guys took, you could be facing treason charges...

TB: No that's absolute nonsense, on what basis?

DW: You don't believe that there will be any charges resulting from this?

TB: No definitely not. The fact of the matter is if one would look at hansard, and look at  the common application of any meeting when a motion is seconded, and then it is amended and then the amendment it is seconded, then common sense tells me when you put a vote on a motion it is actually the amended motion you are voting on. And we did indicate to the Speaker on that basis, but instead of trying to correct the procedure according to the standing orders, which governs parliament by the way - they were in a hurry to get out of the building because the ministers were flying out of the country.

DW: The government had said that essentially whatever the Speaker does is correct and therefore what she did, stood.

TB: That's not correct according to the constitution of the Cook Islands, all questions are to be dealt by the majority of the Members of Parliament present.

DW: You persuaded Rose Brown over to your side, The Cook Islands party wants her back, what do you think is going to happen there?

TB: No she's decided to come with us, because we are a better side. She's very unhappy with the performance of them, and she's old enough and convinced on her own accord to come and join us and take on the role of the prime minister of a government of national unity.

DW: So does that put you in a position where you can consider another vote of no confidence in the near future?

TB: Yes if that is required.

DW: So you're not thinking about it right now?

TB: No Don, don't forget one hour is a long time in politics, anything can happen.