Teilweise neu: 2002-03-25 Contents of this issue:
1. End of Era? 2. Team Talk ======================================================================== Old contents were: 1. Pre-Election News 2. From The Hustings 3. The Big Issues 4. Terrorism Workship 5. Paper Folds 6. New Medical School 7. Stunted Growth 8. PSA Support 9. Performers Return 10. Annual Races March 25th, 2002 1. End of Era? Its unlikely electors on Niue will again be asked to vote for another 20-seat Legislative Assembly. Moves are afoot to reduce the Assembly numbers to 18 but there is also a call for more radical electoral reform. It has been suggested an eight-member assembly with the Premier elected from the common roll would be more suitable for a country with 900 voters. The Constitution Review Committee has recommended an 18 seat Assembly - retaining the 14 village seats - with new electoral boundaries forming four constituencies. Two common roll members would be elected from each constituency. "The difficulty with this recommendation will be getting politicians to vote themselves out of a job," said a review committee member. If the aim of reducing the number of members is to save money then the pruning has to be greater say political reformers. There is support for a smaller more streamlined government based upon independents rather than party affiliations. Using four constituencies two members of the Assembly would be elected from each constituency and a Premier from a separate vote by those on the common roll. Many village constituencies now have between 10-30 voters but have one representative in parliament. The Premier elected from the common roll would have a mandate from the nation and would, say the reformers prevent bickering over votes of no confidence. Whatever amendments are adopted they would require changes to the Constitution which is a drawn out process. An amendment Bill requires two thirds of support from the total Assembly members with the final reading of the Bill being 13 weeks after the second reading of the Bill. The changes then go the electorate in form of a referendum. Niue has a population of 1400 indigenous people and 300 expatriates. About 18,477 Niueans now live in New Zealand. (Copyright prevents reproduction of this article in any form). 2. Team Talk: The Niue Alliance of Independents launches its manifesto at Namukulu tonight, says spokesperson Mrs O'Love Jacobsen. A former Cabinet Minister in the Lui government and strong Opposition debater regularly clashing with Speaker Mr Tama Posimani, Mrs Jacobsen said the Alliance is a team not a party. Niue political observers say the team has already attracted several new contestants for the common roll seats and are likely to put sitting members under pressure. Key supporters of the Alliance are sitting members: Mrs Jacobsen, Mr Terry Coe, Mr Hunukitama Hunuki and Mr Jack Willie Lipitoa. __END__
