Transcript
POHIVA TU'IONETOA: That was a clear signal from the people that what we were doing in the government before, that's what they want to continue, the governing of the country through the same principal and same strategy. I thought before that all the parties, like the nobles and some of the independents, I thought that they would find some sense and see the will of the people and also come to us so that we can work together. But even when we won the election of the prime minister, I still think they still don't want to come and work as a coalition government and I see for the future there will still be differences.
KORO VAKA'UTA: A lot of people outside of parliament, the likes of academics like Malakai Koloamatangi, have mentioned hopefully working together, a unified parliament, collegially, but you say that you think it might be hard given the election?
PT: I take the view from how we get the votes for the prime minister. First I did think the former deputy prime minister, [Siaosi Sovaleni], if he did want to work together, he should forgo his nomination to be prime minister. The nobility, of course they are nobles and they stick together most of the time, that is historical, but part of us that represent the people of which we have a very clear signal from the people, the way they want their government to be. However they still want to put another nomination and try to get the prime ministership away from the Democracy Party. The way forward, it will be very hard to work together and I believe there will be a vote of no confidence again coming up.
KV: I think we saw last term, five ministers be removed over the term, how important is it to stick together as a party?
PT: It's very important for us to stick together and try to communicate well with the other members of the party, set the strategy clear and work to govern the government.
KV: You've talked about continuing the work that you have done. Do you acknowledge any changes of approach is needed or any mistakes from the previous term or you think everything has been fine?
PT: Overall, I think the strategy is right. Maybe we work a bit slow on certain things but we will try and work a bit quicker this time.
