Samoa's HRPP Party sworn in - 17th Parliament of Samoa officially convened
All's well that ends well ...
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Friday 17th September
10.30am NZT -
Samoa Observer reports that ahead of the 18 HRPP elected Members of Parliament swearing-in ceremony this morning, Samoa’s two dominant parties have finally set aside their differences, in what would hopefully bring to an end the four-months running political crisis.
Former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi shook hands with his successor Fiame Naomi Mataafa as her Cabinet Ministers and Members arrived for Friday’s session of the House.
Read the full article here
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Parliament Sitting Friday 17 Sept 2021. HRPP's 18 elected members being sworn in (video below - click thru to watch on facebook)
Thursday 16th September
4pm NZT -
#BREAKING The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the Human Rights Protection Party and ordered the Speaker of the House to swear in the party’s members who were elected in April’s national poll.
Video of report and interviews via Samoa Global News below & full article via Samoa Observer here
11am NZT -
Samoa Observer has reported The Supreme Court has issued an interim order “that no steps will be take in relation to the membership” of Human Rights Protection Party's unsworn elected members.
The order was handed down by His Honour, Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese, prior to the hearing of the declaratory order application filed by HRPP members against the Speaker of the House, Papali’i Lio Masipau for not allowing the members of the party to be sworn in.
The Court adjourned the matter to 2pm this afternoon with His Honour also informing the parties that given the pickwick basis the matter is being held under, the Court will issue its ruling today.
Full story via the Samoa Observer here
Wednesday 15th Sept
7pm NZT - The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries & founder of the FAST party Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt talked to EFKS TV (Video below) and discussed the events of the day saying HRPP trying to get into parliament when their members haven't been sworn in is unlawful.
He also discusses the Head of State and church leaders coming down to parliament and says they shouldn't have been involved and that he feels HRPP stirred this up. The Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II should not need to come down and that the Prime Minister and Speaker will go to him if there is anything they need to discuss.
He also spoke on the ifoga by the Archbishop saying he shouldn't have had to do that and religious leaders should not be dragged into political drama.
He reassured the listeners that everything is running smoothly, they're following the law and they'll stick to what the law says. He reiterated that HRPP were twice given opportunities and ordered by the courts to be sworn in and they refused to recognise the present government and be sworn in so they are now leaving it to the courts.
Renate Rivers gives more of a complete breakdown of the interview in this twitter thread here -
2pm NZT -
The Archbishop of the Catholic Church and members of the Archdiocese of Apia were awaiting Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afas arrival at the government building.
They had arrived outside the Government building performing an ifoga asking the Government for peace at about the same time the Prime Minister was meeting with the Head of State.
Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt Olo Fiti Vaai came down the Government steps to remove the Ie Toga and invited them into the government building.
Full story via the Samoa Observer here
1pm NZT -
Fiame spoke to the media outside the Head of States residence in Vailele and explained to them she was there to seek clarification as to why the Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and his Deputy came to the parliament grounds.
Fiame said they informed her that they went to parliament because they were worried there'd be trouble between the police and HRPP members & supporters. They were concerned that there might also be trouble between the two political parties as well.
Both Fiame and the Speaker of the House reassured the Head of State and his Deputy that there wouldn't be any trouble between the government and HRPP and that they have everything under control.
She also said they were surprised that the Head of State had gone down to parliament as it is not normal protocol for him to be involved in political issues.
If there are any issues, it is her and the Speakers duty to inform the Head of State.
The speaker Papali'i Li'o Masipa'u then confirmed with the reporters what the Prime Minister had said in regards to them being there to reassure the Head of State all is under control.
Full video via Radio Samoa below -
11am NZT -
UPDATE via Talamua Online -
Parliament was postponed an hour early due to interruptions by the Human Rights Protection Party who had camped outside the Parliament Chambers since 8am this morning.
The Prime Minster Fiame Naomi Mataafa moved the motion for parliament to end an hour early saying the parliament session had been interrupted by HRPP members who continue to defy the Speakers instructions for a smooth flow of the Parliament Session.
The National Council of Churches (N.C.C.) arrived at Parliament and joined HRPP who remained outside parliament. Rev Kasiano spoke offering counsel to HRPP.
Click here for full story and twitter thread via Renate Rivers below
About 10.30am NZT
Samoa Observer also reported His Highness, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II had arrived at Parliament an hour ago, greeted a tearful leader of the H.R.P.P. Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi and was then seen heading to the back of parliament chamber where session was continuing at the time.
Read their full report here
Around 9am NZT this morning -
There were heated exchanges outside parliament as police turned back former prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and his Human Rights Protection Party colleagues again this morning.
Samoa Observer reported the police had instructed the HRPP to clear out but the opposition members had refused and requested the Speaker come out to address them in the Fa'a Samoa tradition. They said this is the way they dealt with protest marches when they were in power.
At one stage Reverend Bismark Tamati knelt outside Parliament pleading for the HRPP to be allowed to meet with Speaker of the House. The party was given a two-minute deadline to vacate the premises.
More via Samoa Observer here
The Speaker, Papali'i Li'o Masipa'u, banned HRPP members because he said they refuse to recognise him as Speaker.
RNZ Pacific correspondent Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia said the Speaker has not yet committed to a swearing-in schedule for HRPP.
He thought the Speaker might act at the end of the budget session.
Tuilaepa, who has been highly critical of the courts, is facing contempt charges.
Tuesday 14th September -
Reporting via Radio New Zealand
Samoa's prime minister said the HRPP only has itself to blame.
Fiame Naomi Mata'afa's statement came at the opening of the first sitting of the country's 17th parliament yesterday, five months after the election in April.
In her opening statement the prime minister seemed to distance herself from the speaker's decision except to say she was appalled at the tone of correspondence from the HRPP leader to the speaker.
Budget passed
Samoa's government has tabled its first ever national budget in Parliament.
Minister of Finance, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio'o said it's a budget aimed at "recovery, building resilience and shared prosperity for all the people of Samoa".
Target areas include improving human development, a sustainable economy, trusted governance, the environment, public works and infrastructure.
Total expenditure for the financial year 2021/22 is estimated at $US320.5 million dollars.
Revenue is expected to bring in $US285 million with the deficit met by a low interest loan.
Mulipola Anarosa said it's unfortunate the new government has inherited a debt of more than a billion tala, $US325 million, but it's committed to start reforms.
The pension for the elderly will be increased by 25 percent in November and a disability benefit is planned.
The budget also includes one-off assistance for businesses affected by the Covid-19 border lockdown, including hoteliers.
Non-government-organisations will get some funding, especially womens groups to stop violence against women and children.
