Weekly Niue News http://www.niuenews.nu/ [2004-09-11: list updated for new site] _______________________________________________ > We have 5 guests online > IT'S OFFICIAL - EX PREMIER SIGNS OUT > > An era in Niue politics has ended with the resignation of > former premier Sani Lakatani from the islands 20-member > parliament.After more than a year in Auckland caring for his > ailing wife, 68-year-old politician has decided to call it > quits reports Pacific correspondent John Andrews. > > Niues Speaker, Atapana Siakimotu, has accepted Mr Lakatanis > resignation and, since the tiny islands next general election > is due within four months, theres no need for a by-election. > > In his letter of resignation as a common roll member, Mr > Lakatani asked the Niue government to consider paying him his > parliamentary salary which was suspended at the end of last > year. > > Mr Siakimotu said he would seek advice on Mr Lakatanis pay > issue from Niues crown law office. > > After granting the former premier leave from the House in July > last year, Mr Siakimotu said he advised him in writing several > months later that, since those who voted for him expected him > to represent them, his parliamentary salary would be > suspended. > > Mr Lakatani said he never received that letter. It was only > when he checked with his bank he realised he was not receiving > his salary. > > Unsuccessful in the 1987 elections, Mr Lakatani first won > entry to Niues Assembly in 1990 and, under Sir Robert Rex, > became Minister of Finance and Economic Development, a > portfolio he held for six months before resigning from > Cabinet. > > Then, in the 1993 government of Frank Lui, he regained the > finance portfolio, holding the post until being dumped the > next year. He remained a backbencher until 1999 when, as > leader of the Niue Peoples Party, he took over as premier. > > In the wake of the 2002 election, Young Vivian assumed the > premiership with Mr Lakatani as his deputy. But, after voting > against the Budget, Mr Lakatani was dropped from the cabinet. > > Speaking from his home on Aucklands North Shore where hes > living in semi-retirement, Mr Lakatani said he was angry at > not being notified of the suspension of his parliamentary > salary. > > Of leaving politics, he said: I have no regrets whatsoever. I > believe my priority now is to be with my family and that is > where I am. > > [date.gif] Sunday, 05 December 2004 > 15271 Visitors
_______________________________________________ weekly-niue-news mailing list http://greta.electric.gen.nz/mailman/listinfo/weekly-niue-news Powered by BAF Technologies Ltd (http://www.bafonline.net.nz/) Read the Weekly Niue News online at http://www.niuenews.nu/
