Unanimous “No” to proposed MP Allowance increase

Nov 4, 2024 | News | 0

The first Forum of its kind to be organised by Vanuatu Non-Government Organisation (VANGO) on the proposed increase of MP Allowance from VT5 million to VT10,000 million, has received a unanimous “no” from representatives of all sectors present.

The Forum held at Korman Indoor Sports Arena last Friday under the VANGO umbrella, comprising Transparency International Vanuatu (TIV), Vanuatu Chamber of commerce and Industry (VCCI), chiefs, women and youths have all disagreed, claiming it is akin to daylight robbery if the increase cannot be justified with breakdowns to prove why and how it would benefit the voters in the communities.

In fact, the Chairman of VANGO, Dr. Willie Tokon, who is also Chief Executive Officer of TIV, has already sent in an application, seeking permission for the VANGO organization to stage a peaceful protest march to the Speaker of Parliament on the controversy.

The chairman said he is still waiting for a response from the authorities concerned to his letter for permission to stage the parade.

“VANGO this year onward is born with a new focus to ask questions when it is not sure how Government Policies and proposed lists of Government as well as Private Bills, come to be formulated, and how they would benefit the voters”, Dr. Tokon said.

With the proposed listed bill, he thanked everyone for their reactions and encouraged them to speak up when there are concerns in their organisations.

“First and foremost, what is the reason for the proposed increase of an MP’s Allowance from Vt5 million to Vt10 million?”, he stressed.

“Our latest check with Parliament Secretariat, we were told Bill No. 10 on the proposed MP Allowance Increase, has not arrived at the Parliament, but it is already on the list and could be included at any time for debate”.

The forum agreed that even if some MPs may not agree with the proposed bill in public, but in reality they know that once approved, all 52 of them in the House would benefit from the increase. Therefore, for those MPs who feel the responsibility to their voters, words alone are not enough. The people want to see action that will stop this Bill from going to Parliament.

The tragedy of the bill as far as the chairman is concerned is that once approved, the Vt10 million would be paid into all 52 MPs’ personal accounts.

All savings in all personal accounts in all commercial banks belong strictly to the owners and MPs can withdraw their MP allowance at any time they want.

Interestingly, it is not clear how their MP allowance is declared in their Annual Return.

In an Ombudsman’s Public Forum at the National University not long ago, its legal counsel confirmed the absence of any report on such MP Allowance putting the blame on the current out of date format saying it has to be amended to include such allowances.

Meanwhile if Vanuatu has to learn from other countries, even in nearby Australia, their MPs are reported to always submit receipts to prove how such funds are spent.

The chairman said correct information is vital for the development of the country. “When you do not react to an issue or decision that you are not happy with then you become as bad as the instigator of your concern”, he said.

Under the current leadership he said VANGO has started asking questions to satisfy public concerns and will continue to do so as and when necessary.

“We have not received any report on the current Vt5 million that MPs are receiving. There is no justification as to show how it is spent to benefit the communities”, the Chairman confirmed.

“I am aware of the shortages of medicine and medical facilities including clinics, dispensaries and health centres in all Provinces.

“In addition, students are suffering due to the national strike by the Vanuatu Teachers’ Union. Teachers demand their rights to be respected by the Vanuatu Teaching Service Commission but there seems to be no money available for the teachers.

“But when the bill is listed to increase MP’s allowance, there is total silence! I have not seen any increase where it is discussed by parliament and then it is not passed to benefit all 52 MPs”.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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