Tuhanuku

Solomon Islands

Tuhanuku VS Mamaloni

After making money on a horse, the new Opposition Leader now looks at greater economic issues

By Martin Tiffany

JOSES Tuhanuku has been getting many surprises lately. Last month, at the Honiara Golf Club on Mel bourne Cup day, he bet $2O on favorite Let’s Elope and won $lOO. From a man who doesn’t usually gamble, that was real beginner’s luck and a nice surprise.

Two week before making money on Just Elope, Tuhanuku received a really,

small constituency of Rennell and Bellona and is a member of the Labour Party, whose two members in Parliament represent a minority in the Opposition group. He said he was surprised to have been chosen ahead of experienced poli ticians like former Prime Minister Ezekiel Alebua. “I expected the Alliance members to put up a leader, ” Tuhanuku said, referring to the seven former members of the ruling Alliance Party who are in the Opposition as indepen dents. (Five Alliance members joined the Opposition after being dropped from Cabinet by Prime Minister Solomon Mamaloni in October 1990. Two others later crossed the floor.) While Tuhanuku supported Nori as Opposition Leader he felt that Nori did not have the total support of the parties in the Opposition. “There are 16 of us in the Opposition and seven of these are from the Alliance camp. For whatever reason they don’t seem to work well with the former Leader of the Opposition and Andrew started to talk about a change of leadership,” said Tuhanuku.

“After the resignation and my takeover the 16, including Andrew Nori, are all consolidated in the Opposition.”

really big surprise: he was asked to take over the reigns as Oppostion Leader in parliament. “I was surprised when they asked me, I expected the Alliance members to put up a leader, ”

Tuhanuku. Nevertheless, he said yes and took over command from Andrew Nori who stepped down, saying he did not think he had the support of the 16-member Opposition which comprises members from Labour Party, United, Liberal, National Front for Progress, and independents. Tuhanuku represents the

The new challenger: Tuhanuku prepares the assault on Mamaloni