PQ 12. Pacific Island Affairs, Ministry—Confidence [Sitting date: 09 December 2014. Volume:702;Page:11. Text is subject to correction.]

12. KRIS FAAFOI (Labour—Mana) to the Minister for Pacific Peoples : Does he have confidence in his Ministry?

Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA (Minister for Pacific Peoples): Yes.

Kris Faafoi : Does he think that taxpayers in the Pacific community will see an 850 percent increase in spending to “staff the Minister’s office” between the past 2 financial years as acceptable, reasonable, and legitimate?

Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA : Ultimately, staffing matters are the responsibility of the chief executive, but what I can say is that I expect my ministry to spend taxpayers’ money prudently. I have sought reassurances that the chief executive and the State Services Commissioner were spending money for legitimate ministry work and that it was consistent with the ministry’s policies and procedures.

Kris Faafoi : Given that answer, how does he explain an eightfold increase for air travel for “staffing the Minister’s office” from $2,500 in 2012-13 to over $21,000 in 2013-14? Is that a reasonable and acceptable increase?

Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA : As I said, I expect the ministry to spend taxpayers’ money more wisely. That is why when I became the Minister for Pacific Peoples the person in question whom you are referring to was transitioned out of my office, and a more suitable Wellington replacement was found.

Kris Faafoi : Given that answer, does he think it is acceptable and reasonable that the bill went from zero to $17,000 for an apartment to “staff the Minister’s office” in the last financial year?

Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA : As I have said in this House, when I became the Minister I transitioned out of my office the person whom you are referring to, and a more suitable Wellington replacement was found. Hence those expenses will come down.

Kris Faafoi : Does he think it is acceptable and reasonable that the taxi bill has gone from $324.57 to nearly $9,500, and the bill for incidentals and meals to staff his office went from zero to $9,605 between 2013 and 2014?

Hon Peseta SAM LOTU-IIGA : As I have already said in answer to this question, in terms of the person whom he is referring to who staffed my office, as soon as I became the Minister that person was transitioned out of my office and a more suitable Wellington replacement was found.

Kris Faafoi : I seek leave to table an Official Information Act response showing the increase in costs of staffing the Minister’s office went from—

Mr SPEAKER : Order! The document has been described—a particular Official Information Act document. Leave is sought to table it. Is there any objection? There is none. It can be tabled. Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.

ENDS

© Scoop Media