Neu: 2002-01-30 Contents of this issue:
1. Assembly Cuts ======================================================================== January 30th, 2002 1. Assembly Cuts: Its been revealed to Niue News that the island's Constitution Review Committee is recommending to government that the number of elected representatives in the Legislative Assembly be reduced from 20 to 18. A report recommending changes to the Constitution is on the order paper for tomorrows Assembly meeting. The report apparently recommends that the 14 village constituency seats be retained but the six common roll seats be abolished. Instead, four electoral district seats will be formed with one representative elected by electors in the constituencies. The districts are believed to be: One - Alofi South and Alofi North; Two- Makefu, Tuapa, Namukulu, Hikutavake, Toi and Mutalau; Three - Lakepa, Liku and Hakupu' Four- Vaiea, Avatele and Tamakautoga. Other changes to the Constitution are reported to include a restriction on Assembly notices of confidence and no confidence to no more than twice during a three year term with the minimum number of Assembly members required to support a vote of no confidence increased from four to six. It is understood the Constitution Review committee are recommending the changes be made effective from the 2005 general election. Already independent political observers are saying that the Assembly should be reduced to nine members - two members each selected from the four districts with a Premier elected from the common roll. Niue has a population of about 1700 with 900 electors. At present Niue holds regular joint consultative group meetings with New Zealand in a bid to establish the island's future status and how it can be maintained as a living viable community. __END__
