A bid by the opposition in the Cook Islands to have a controversial seabed mining bill face further scrutiny has been quashed.
Cook Islands Democratic Party leader, Tina Browne Photo: Cook Islands Democratic Party
The Cook Islands News reports that, instead, the government forced it through parliament before adjourning indefinitely.
Opposition leader Tina Browne said her party did not oppose the bill, but she was not satisfied with the consultation process.
She wanted the bill put before a select committee.
Ms Browne said a major concern was how the bill gives the minister responsible for seabed minerals full authority to grant an exploration licence.
She raised concerns about fairness, given the government would also be one of the applicants - as well as the fear of officials being "tempted to do wrong things" with such power.
The government said the bill underwent an extensive consultation process.
