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Cabinet Meeting 280306 [For NKM]

Present: Premier, Hon Tukuitonga, Hon Mike Jackson, Hon Opili Talafasi, D Poihega, J Kamupala, Georgina Tukiuha and Niu [Media]

Approved  

·        A submission from the Niue Meteorological Services for a top up of salaries for the Co-ordinator and the Secretary of the Climate Change Project has been approved by Cabinet for reconsideration when the appropriate time arrives for the Government Budgetary process.

·        Temporary appointments at the Department of Education have been approved by Cabinet:

Mr Keith Vial as relieving teacher in placement of Ms Moira Talagi until the end of March.

Ms Lisa Utalo as Assistant Clerk to replace Hatesa Hetutu, and

Mrs Jenny Doak as a part-time specialist at Niue Primary School.

·        Regarding foreigners marrying Niuean nationals to be exempted from paying the normal Permanent Resident application fee. Cabinet has ruled that each applicant’s case will be considered on merit.

·        Mr Fahina Laumoli, who has been living in Niue for three years, has been granted permanent resident status.

·        The amending of the Niue Penal Manual 1984 and the transfer of responsibility of the Niue Prison from the Justice to the Police Department is approved and is now in the process of being finalised.

·        A formal appointment of Mrs Wendy Salatielu [Niue Public Service Commission Inspector] as Acting Member of the Niue Public Service Commission is approved.

·         Cabinet has reconsidered the directives [3 and 4] for the Niue Tourism Strategic Plans 2005-2015 – Implementation Work Plan Project and will stand by its previous decision. [See below for expanded explanation]

Overseas Travel   

·        Mr J Tafatu [Principal Fisheries Officer] will be attending the 5^th Heads of Fisheries Meeting in Noumea from 5 – 7 April 2006. Fully funded by the Secretariat of the South Pacific Community.

·        Accompanying Premier Vivian to the China-Pacific Economic Development and Cooperation Leaders’ Forum from 5-6 April in Nadi, Fiji are David Poihega [Private Secretary] and Justin Kamupala [Deputy SOG.] The Forum is fully funded by the sponsors.

·        There is a ‘Workshop on AML/CFT for Financial Sector Supervisors and Regulators’ in Singapore from April 10-14. Ms Josie Tamate, Banking Supervisor will be in attendance.

·        Deputy Director of Education, Mrs Janet Tasmania and Niue High School Principal, Mrs Jieni Mitimeti will be attending the RPEIPP Institute of Education [USP- Laucala Campus] Training Workshop in Suva from 3-7 April. 

Travel Reports: 

Travel reports [normally due within two weeks after returning to the island] have been received and noted by Cabinet:

• Report on Renewable Energy Invitation Workshop in Fiji in November 14-25 2005.
• Ms Petra Hopokingi has submitted “A Report on Regional Strategic Planning and Awareness Raising Workshop on Pacific Energy and Gender Network” [PEG] in December 5-9 2005.

Matters of concern to Cabinet Ministers: 

• Late Submissions. It is noticeable this week that there were 10 Cabinet Submissions which arrived late for consideration and therefore deemed to have not followed the proper procedures. Some travel submissions, for example, arrived after the applicant had already left the country and the Ministers thought this unacceptable as they are not a ‘rubber stamp’ agency. There are issues that need serious deliberation before travel is granted. Travellers are further reminded that given our continued financial difficulties, there has been no change in Government policy regarding transit allowances. Travellers are also reminded of their obligations to submit reports within two weeks after their return. Failure to do this may compromise your next travel arrangements overseas.
• Niueans marrying foreign nationals. This issue arose out of a submission to be exempted from paying a set fee [a $NZ500 fee is applied to all when applying for a Permanent Resident Status] that is normally paid by all applicants. SOG suggested that each case should be considered on its own merit and that a Permanent Resident Status does not automatically entitle a holder to a New Zealand Passport which is the issuing country’s prerogative.
• Tourism requests decision reconsideration: Directive 3, ‘that Alofi North be allocated a two unit Tourism Accommodation…’ Cabinet remains firm in its original decision, and Directive 3, ‘that the Minister of Tourism be the Chairperson of the Trust Committee…, again overruled despite Tourism’s appeal for a neutral Chairperson.

Melbourne 06 Team Niue members on their way home 

Most of Team Niue members have returned after two weeks of competing in their specialised event events at the last Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Participation being the name of the game and exposing Niue to other countries of the Commonwealth, must rank as one of the most important issues I our recognition on a global scale, even though along with many others, did not collect a single medal for their efforts.

The most successful athlete is Ms Sioe Haioti, whose weightlifting feat against the more experienced members of her fraternity, continue to amaze and delight us in Niue who were fortunate to have seen her on Television the other night, thanks to BCN for the footage, and to BCN reporter Shane Tohovaka who was on the spot to have the event on the radio. We look forward to more footage on Ms Haioti and the other competitors in the near future.

Just in case you are disappointed with Ms Haioti’s efforts be assured that she did extremely well to gain 4^th place in the Commonwealth that has a combined population of nearly a billion people! I call that ‘simply awesome.’ Congratulations, Sioe!

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