PARLIAMENTARY ALLOWANCE
An MP who vehemently opposed the motion to increase parliamentary allowance has done a flip. He is now going about his parliamentary standing committee commitments and claiming the increased allowance without much noise. His colleagues are wondering whether this is due to the amount he is getting because it is one of the highest. He now even asks when the next sittings are planned. So what was all that fuss about last year? Political posturing, one of his colleague’s retorts.
SHOWDOWN LOOMS
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An internal SODELPA showdown looms between pro-Rabuka and anti-Rabuka factions this month. Watch for a possible special general meeting towards the latter part when issues are expected to be thrashed out.
RABUKA’S BACKERS
Lynda Tabuya has hit the social media to ask for moral support for her SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka. She is attracting attention in New Zealand, Australia and the US as she asks for their prayers. At the same time party president Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is singing praises for Mr Rabuka and calling for party unity. That has come as no surprise because he is Mr Rabuka’s paramount chief as Tui Cakau. He has been one of Mr Rabuka’s backers.
MP’S TRAFFIC WOE
The Opposition MP may get away with a few things in Parliament because of parliamentary privilege. But not outside Parliament. He now faces some questions from law enforcement officers about his driving style.
TAXI CHALLENGES
The issue of new taxi permits is long overdue. Current taxi operators who oppose it obviously don’t like competition. That’s just too bad. First they have to prove that they can service the whole community not just parts of it. At the moment pirate taxis fill a need. Some taxis are selective where they go. Pirate taxis go anywhere. Until taxi operators clean up their own backyard, we need more taxis.
