Parliamentarians in Solomon Islands will continue to receive tax free salaries for at least another month.
The National Parliament of Solomon Islands in Honiara. Photo: RNZ Koroi Hawkins
This is despite a High Court ruling earlier this month declaring the regulations granting the exemptions null and void.
The Clerk to Parliament in Honiara has confirmed that upon the advice of the attorney general, MPs' salaries will continue to be tax free until a 30 day appeal period lapses on the 19th of May.
Clezy Rore says steps to make MPs pay tax on their salaries will only be taken if no appeal or stay order is lodged.
"The advice that I got from the attorney general is to hold all awarded actions to be taken until after 30 days and then national parliament with the ministry of finance can actually take up whatever the course of actions that has been recommended by the courts," Ms Rore said.
The controversial regulations were introduced in April last year by the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission, an independent body set up under the Solomon Islands constitution.
