Our Famous Minister hands over Marine Portfolio.....happy days About time too................. Bishop hands in marine portfolio Wed 7 Aug Cabinet minister Teina Bishop has handed in the marine resources and pearl authority responsibilities of his ministerial portfolio as a result of a police investigation into alleged corruption. The decision was accepted by Prime Minister Henry Puna, who agreed Bishop should step aside while law enforcement authorities investigate the corruption allegations against the minister. Puna, through a statement issued by his special advisor Trevor Pitt, praised Bishop for his decision, calling it “courageous, honourable, and totally proper”. “It also represents the minister’s commitment to due process and maintaining the integrity of his position,” said Puna. The Crown Law office acknowledged last week it has received knowledge of the investigation but said it could provide no further comment. Bishop volunteered to hand back the portfolio responsibilities late last week, which have now been taken over by the PM who will take on the extra work as the investigation process unfolds. Puna, in addition to taking on MMR and pearl authority responsibilities, also holds the previous portfolio of Queen’s Representative designate Tom Marsters, which includes natural resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration. Bishop will retain his ministerial obligations for education and tourism. “He (Puna) is confident the minister will fulfil his duties in other areas of responsibility while the investigation is completed,” reads the statement. “The Prime Minister agreed to accept Bishop’s decision to allow distance between the minister and the allegations.” Last week, police commissioner Maara Tetava confirmed an investigation was underway after Cook Islands police received an official complaint from an unidentified source. The investigation is focusing on corruption, particularly section 113 of the 1969 Crimes Act, which relates to corruption and bribery of a minister of the Crown. Under the Act, the acceptance and/or offering of bribes by government ministers is punishable by up to 14 years in prison, and any individual who “corruptly gives or offers or agrees to give any bribe to any person with intent to influence any minister of the Crown” faces a maximum of seven years behind bars. Bishop has recently come under fire over a business transaction he orchestrated with fishing conpany Huanan Fishery (Cook Islands) Co. Ltd, and the subsequent issuance of a fishing license to the company by MMR, which the minister signed off on. The investigation is currently being conducted solely by local law enforcement officials, and no timeline has been given for the investigation. “The Prime Minister said he will not get involved in the police investigation and is fully supportive of the necessary process being completed as soon as possible,” said the statement issued Sunday.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 19:21:51 +0000
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