parliament

The barricades went up late last night after Police put out a public notice declaring Parliament building and surrounding grounds out of bounds for all members of the public.

This follows an earlier press release from the office of the Speaker, Papali'I Ta'eu Masipa'u, banning all uninvited members of the public from attending the session this morning.

In a letter to the HRPP Monday 13 September, Papali'I said that a decision had been made not to allow an expected swearing in ceremony for them when the House convenes today.

The courts decision is expected to end a nearly three month long political and constitutional crisis, which Political Scientist Doctor Christina Laalaai-Tausa says is a huge relief.

​"It comes as huge relief for Samoans both locally and internationally, and hopefully is a stepping stone for things to go forward politically and legally."

PMN News reports whilst relieved, Laalaai-Tausa says the court order should have been specific about a date, to kick start the political process.

She says political stability is needed now.

A statement from the Office of the Clerk was issued last night in response to a media release titled “Head of State Agrees for Parliament to Convene” released yesterday afternoon.

A statement issued yesterday by FAST Party leader, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa

Leaders of the majority FAST party - which won 26 of 51 seats - met with His Highness this afternoon to request that parliament be called on Friday.

FAST has advised the Head of State of their majority, and their intention to form a government once parliament meets.

The caretaker HRPP government is attempting to delay parliament, claiming legal challenges need to be settled first.

However FAST leader Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said the Head of State Tuimaleali'ifano Va'aleto'a Sualauvi II had agreed to convene parliament, although he has yet to confirm a date.

Samoa's Head of State has declared that an additional seat has been added after an article in the country's constitution, regarding female representation, was activated.

Article 44(1A) requires that a minimum of 10 percent of Parliament's seats be occupied by female members.

In a public notice last night the Electoral Commission Office announced that the Article had been activated because the election results had not met the 10 percent threshold. Rather, "Only 9.8 percent of the women membership was achieved after the general election".

It came after last Friday's closing of nominations for the 2021 general election.

The seats, Faleata urban and Salega East, had been held by Olo Fiti Va'ai and Faumuina Wayne Fong.

The pair had breached parliamentary standing orders on switching allegiance to become candidates of the newly formed Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi, or F.A.S.T, political party, for next year's general election.

The MPs have publicly revealed the Speaker's decision after the sergeant at arms of Parliament delivered them a letter.

The South Pacific Lawyers' Association, or SPLA, says three controversial bills before Samoa's parliament would erode the independence of the judiciary and threaten the rule of law if enacted.

SPLA says while democracies can chart their own course, Samoa is proposing a way that has implications for the wider region.

Its principal concern is that the bills would compromise judicial independence by allowing a government appointed commission to dismiss judges.

The body says "a judge's tenure should never be subject to political or populist pressure".

The Samoa Observer reports the MP, Faumuina Wayne Fong, also alluded to a waste of public money during the Budget debate this week.

And he said there were members of the party the Prime Minister does not want to listen to.

The Prime Minster Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi told the House the member is not prevented from expressing his views.

But he warned that cabinet members are not fools and are listening to what is being said.

Tuila'epa went on to say there were MPs who used the party's banner to get voted into Parliament that could not be trusted.

In April, Fepulea'i was convicted and fined $US2,500 dollars on a charge of causing actual bodily harm.

He reneged on a statement that he would resign after the decision and was instead suspended.

Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi said the inquiry will be the first of its kind.

The committee will report back to Parliament who will make the final decision in a two thirds majority vote either to terminate the president or let him remain in the position.

Speaker Job Pomat, in a press conference after the sitting, said he will now allow due process to take place.

“I have received it. When parliament meets on the 28^th (May), it will look at this notice, after it goes through the process of the Private Business Committee,” Pomat said.

He explained that Parliament may not necessarily vote on the 28^th but with the motion notice given yesterday afternoon, this will go for the notice paper when parliament next meets.