Transcript
FLO SYME BUCHANAN: The country really does need to undergo political reform. We need to reduce the number of seats in parliament. When you have a member of parliament who will be voted in with a constituency of just 58 votes it's bordering on the ridiculous the cost of our parliament, of our 24 seats. We have a reducing population that is diminishing and yet the cost of parliament has not reflected this either. For instance the Manihiki seat that the Prime Minister is again contesting has only 79 votes. This drives home the long held view by advocates for political reform that we really do need to reduce the number of seats in our parliament. The other thing that they point out is that parliament barely sits each year.
JENNY MEYER: So it seems like that probably won't clearly be taking effect for this coming election, given it's so close now. Who are the two main parties and who would have that reduction of seats on their agenda of those parties?
FSB: Well traditionally there's always been the Cook Islands Party which is the ruling, in government now. And then the opposition Democratic Party. They're both fielding 23 candidates each. There's a sprinkling of independent candidates but traditionally independent candidates do not win their seats. It's always been party politics here.
JM: There's also the One Cook Islands Party that Teina Bishop previously headed, is that right? Do they have much sway now?
FSB: Yes they are contesting six of the seats and they will most likely be the king makers at the end of the election.
JM: So is there much of a mood for a change of government or do you think it's pretty much status quo here? They've been in power for I'm not sure, is it eight years?
FSB: It's hard to say because I think people are feeling quite dumbed down by politics here in the Cook Islands. One aspect that has been welcomed is that it's happening on June the 14th and there's not a long lead up to the general elections, which means lots and lots of fund raising, lots of campaigning, a lot of this has been reduced by the short time between the announcement and the actual general elections being held.
JM: What about the representation of women looking for a spot in parliament, are there many women on that candidates list?
FSB: One interesting candidate that has emerged is the daughter of a sitting candidate Rose Brown, her daughter is contesting also on the island of Aitu, not against her mum, in another constituency. She is only 22.
JM: So it's possible that a mother and daughter might make it into parliament do you think?
FSB: Very possible.
JM: And what about Rose Brown? I think there's been some controversy over her jumping ship from one party to another, can you explain that?
FSB: That has happened in the past that she's jumped from the Cook Islands Party to the Democratic Party and back to the Cook Islands Party. But she's shown some political nous by going as an independent in these elections. And it's a wise move on her part to go as an independent because which ever of the two major parties wins the election, she is free to join them. And I'm sure because it's always a numbers game here in the Cook Islands, she would be welcomed you know by open arms by either of the parties who may get in.
