court ruling
p. 16 · Read in the full issue
Solomon Islands
Nori seeks court ruling
OPPOSITION Leader Andrew Nori is continuing his battle against the 1990 budget by fil ing new papers at the Solomon Islands High Court challenging the provision of US$l.3 million for a programme known as SICOPSA (Small Island Communities and Provinces Special Assistance). This new move was made two weeks after Nori sought High Court judgment against the 1990 budget and the SICOP SA grants. His earlier challenge was withdrawn after a deal was made with government who agreed to withdraw the SICOPSA provisions on the condition they be re-introduced with amendments in a supplementary appropriation bill in the new year.
Nori lost out when the Minister for Provincial Governments, Nathaniel Waena, won a request and government pushed through the grants with the
budget.
Nori’s latest assault on the government came after the Oppositon saw the with drawal of the two Labour MPs, led by Labour Party chief Joses Tuhanuku.
Tuhanuku’s withdrawal was triggered by Nori’s announcement at a conference in Malaita in early November that he would move a motion of no confidence in the government. Labour was outraged that the announcement was made with out it being consulted.
There has been unhappiness at Nori’s powerbase of Malaita over the make-up of Solomon Mamaloni’s government. At the November First Malaita Conference held at the provincial capital of Auki, delegates were concerned that Mamalo ni’s Cabinet lacked a member elected from mainland Malaita, the most populated island in the Solomons. While Posts and Communications Minister Ben Gale and Agriculture and Lands Minis ter Abraham Katei both come from Malaita, they do not represent the main land. Gale is a member for West Hon iara and Katei represents the Malaita outer islands of Sikiana and Lord Howe.
Malaitans working in the Solomon Is lands capital make up nearly half the population of Honiara.
Nori, a former Prime Minister of the Solomons, is not alone in criticising the government. A founding member of the ruling People’s Alliance Party, former Deputy Prime Minister Kamilo Teke, has been reported to be threatening to form a breakaway party. Teke has questioned the ability of the Alliance leadership to maintain the party image. □