After continuous calls for Parliament to convene so a national budget can be passed, the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Party now says there is no real need to rush to convene Parliament.
Samoa Observer reports that Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said Cabinet needs more time to screen and review the financial arrangements used by former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and the Human Rights Protection Party.
Fiame said last Saturday that Parliament would meet “in the first opportunity” this week to pass a budget.
The Ministry of Finance was instructed to prepare a budget using article 95 that allows 25% of the previous budget to operate until a full budget is prepared for parliament to pass.
The Tuilaepa government had been using this provision since the 2020/2021 budget ended on 30 June which amounts to about $220 million tālā.
According to Fiame, with 25% there is a figure but there’s a lack of supporting details even though the processes seemed to be followed for payments under the Emergency Budget.
She explained the Ministry of Finance wanted Cabinet to use the budget they have prepared and announced by the caretaker prime minister last month.
“We still want our own Budget to deliver what the FAST Party has in place in its manifesto,” said Fiamē.
Fiame said Parliament would possibly meet around September and also reminded that the 17th Parliament has already convened in the swearing-in ceremony of May 24 which was declared lawful by the Court of Appeal.
