17 Jun 2015

Cooks opposition parties cement coalition

2:56 pm on 17 June 2015

The two opposition parties in the Cook Islands have cemented their alliance.

The Democratic Party and the One Cook Islands Movement confirmed their coalition, receiving jibes from the government benches in Parliament that said it's just a marriage of convenience.

Cook Islands Democratic Party members William Heather, Tangata Vavia and Wilkie Rasmussen

Cook Islands Democratic Party members William Heather, Tangata Vavia and Wilkie Rasmussen Photo: Phillipa Webb / Cook Islands News

The One Cook Islands leader, Teina Bishop, told Parliament that the Democratic Party leader and opposition leader, William Heather, will remain the leader of the coalition, and said One Cook Islands MP for Tupapa, George Maggie, was leading the charge to be deputy leader.

One Cook Islands Party leader Teina Bishop

One Cook Islands Party leader Teina Bishop Photo: Phillipa Webb / Cook Islands News

Question time in Parliament on Monday gave the opposition opportunity to ask the government about the referendum on banning Sunday flights to Aitutaki, but the government was unable to give a definitive answer.

The government called the referendum two months ago but has yet to act on the result, which saw a majority vote for a flight ban.