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Huge Political Revolution on Tiny Niue3.06.2005
Niue's premier, Young Vivian plans to expand his cabinet by 50 per cent and persuade Niueans to let their MPs serve longer parliamentary terms.
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Niue's Assembly consists of 20-members, ensuring voters in what is the world's smallest nation has the utmost democratic representation.
With an annual budget of about NZD$24million (US$16.4 million), the country survives mainly through aid injections from New Zealand.
"I'm going to increase cabinet by two. I would like to start the procedure at our next Assembly meeting in four weeks' time."
"I'm also interested in raising the parliamentary term from three years to four or five years. I think caucus will support it" - he told Niue News correspondent John Andrews.
Since making his reform intentions known, the feedback had been "quite favourable".
By adding to his present four-strong cabinet, Mr Vivian aims to reduce the workload ministers have to bear.
He said Niue was obliged to send representatives to meetings overseas but, if ministers did not turn up on such occasions, then the island nation could be accused of not being interested.
"We want to go to these meetings because we have a number of things that Niue could contribute sensibly for the region and possibly the world at large" - said Mr Vivian.
Any move to increase the island's parliamentary term requires backing from two-thirds of the Assembly members followed by support of similar proportions through a referendum of the Niue electorate.
Mr Vivian believes an extended parliamentary term --- he prefers five years --- will enable the Niue Government to develop and execute its policies.
"Elections divide people. It's a painful period. It's about running people down and selling yourself."
The Niue leader revealed his plans to his fellow countrymen in a speech in the Fale Fono after being on being sworn into office three weeks ago.
He added: "I said it quite openly. I said these are some of the things I need to move quickly on."
Lobbying for the two additional cabinet ministers began almost immediately with a range of MPs' names being suggested as likely contenders.
By Niue News
Check on the internet: Niue Government's website Niue News map of the region list of embassies links |
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