Lui loses his seat

ONE of the Pacific politics friendlier characters, Niue Premier Frank Lui, has lost his seat and his job. Sani Lakatani, one-time controversial finance minister with a colourful past, has become prime minister of the self-proclaimed “Rock of Polynesia”.

It is facing a doubtful future with a con tinuing declining population, now down to just 1750 people with more than 12,000 Niueans living in New Zealand.

In the general elections in April Lui lost his Alofi North seat to Va’ainga Tukuitonga in what amounted to a family dispute, opening the way for Lakatani who has long been a critic of Lui who won majority support of the 20 seat Legislative Assembly. Lakatani quickly named his cabinet as Robert Matua Rex (a son of the founding premier Sir Robert Rex), Young Vivian and Dion Taufitu to join him as Cabinet members. He also created a new position as Adviser to Cabinet with former Secretary to Government Terry Chapman getting the post.

“The position of Adviser is one of the key elements in Government’s overall objective to deliver, among other goals, what the Niue People’s Party promised leading up to the recent elections,”

Lakatani said.

“Also it is worthy Adviser in fact replaces the Personal Assistant to the Premier. What’s new is the Adviser’s

Principal Functions.

“The adviser will have a more impor tant role than that of Personal Assistant, but will actually cost less.

His take-over was not easily handled and one MP, OTove Jacobsen, refused to leave her seat. The Speaker ordered her out but she would not go. Police Chief Andrew Lovelock was called but he sought advise from the Attorney General and declined to take any action. In the end the Niue Public Service Commission suspended Lovelock from his post for two weeks.

This caused a new problem because Deputy Police Chief Maria Tongatule had gone to New Zealand where she is to give birth to twins. Fortunately there has been no crime wave recently in Niue. ■