Page 15 - IB June 2019

Advertorial Politics

Return to Paradise Resort – the name says it all. ment of the constitution bill was submitted
to parliament on 14 March this year. This
original version of the bill contained the
wishes of the electorate in the election of
the Prime Minister.
He said Sopoaga opposed the bill and
the Speaker of the House, who was also
chairman of the Constitutional Review
Committee, agreed that the bill should be
withdrawn. He proposed that it ought to
be tabled at the April sitting of parliament.
“On 17 April, the same bill was tabled
in parliament with minor changes made.
At the first reading, the Prime Minister
disagreed with the proposed changes to
the constitution and as a result, the bill
was not passed,” explained Taape.
“The cabinet took over the bill and es-
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres surveys Tuvalu from the sky Photo: Supplied
tablished a new arrangement to work on
Sopoaga is saved by the bell the bill. The Constitutional Action Com-
mittee (CAC) replaced the Constitutional
Review Committee (CRC), and the same
Confidence motion against Tuvalu PM withdrawn members of the CRC (all 15 MPs) were
told to work with a taskforce, which had
This beautiful four star resort set on its own private stunning beach must be on is beautiful and the entire front wall opens taken over the role of the CRC Secretariat.”
your bucket list for so many reasons. It many ways it is utterly unique. up to the sea if you want an open feel. For By Samisoni Pareti bill, we decided to withdraw our motion It was this new CAC that removed the
those wanting a beach wedding, there are on Tuesday (21 May) because we had proposal to have the electorate vote for the
Our History – Return to Paradise Resort is you as a hotel guest, they see you as visiting an unlimited number of beautiful spots to do A mere technicality in parliamentary rules achieved our goal. new prime minister of Tuvalu, and instead
named after the movie of the same name that their family – and in many cases, becoming a this. .And if it rains, don’t worry, just move the saved the government of Tuvalu Prime “It was up to the Prime Minister to step retain the status quo.
was filmed here in 1953 starring Hollywood part of it. ceremony into the chapel. Minister Enele Sopoaga, from facing a down or not because the ball was now in The bill also sought to amend the Tuvalu
legends Gary Cooper and Roberta Haynes. confidence motion last month. his court.” Constitution in response to likely impacts
Robert Haynes died at Easter 2019 and Our Location – a stunning private beach Maeva Band – every Saturday night, the News of the motion of no confidence According to the member for Vaitupu of sea level rise on the land and sea bound-
because she loved this place so much, her with everything – dazzling tropical fish and Resort’s gardeners put down their tools and against the Sopoaga Government broke Island, who is Tuvalu’s newest MP after aries of Tuvalu.
coral (and yes, Nemo is here with his family),
perform a dinner concert for the guests. The
last wishes were that her ashes be brought blowholes, forest walks, beach walks, and warmth and special feeling of this concert have the same day he hosted visiting United Na- being elected in a by-election on August “The baseline coordinates declared un-
back to Return to Paradise – and so a full almost 2 km of privacy, there is a new photo to be appreciated, it is so difficult to describe. tions Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, 2017, the failed bill was an attempt by der the Maritime Zones Act (2012) shall
funeral service will be held on 23 July 2019 in the capital Funafuti. the Sopoaga Government to block moves remain unchanged, notwithstanding any
after which her ashes will be deposited in the shot around every corner here. And as it faces Suffice to say that Chris Paulsen, Managing A non-government backbencher, Isaia to change provisions relating to the elec- regression of the low water mark, until and
special Fale built for her overlooking the sea. west, the views at sunset are amazing. Director of House of Travel Group said after Taape had filed the motion days before tion of the Prime Minister in the island’s unless otherwise prescribed by an Act of
watching the concert that it was the best night
That a Hollywood actress would love a shoot Our Atmosphere - Return to Paradise of Pacific entertainment he had experienced in Guterres arrived on the island nation, as constitution. Parliament,” the failed bill had proposed.
location so much that she would choose to is designed to make you feel you are in 40 years in the Pacific and promptly invited an attempt to block changes he claimed Consultations by the Constitutional Re- “Nothing in this section prevents a
be buried there is probably unprecedented in a Samoan village – magnificent carvings Sopoaga had made to a bill on amend- view Committee with the people of Tuvalu law from proclaiming the jurisdiction of
movie history. everywhere, traditional buildings, original Maeva Band to perform at their Industry ments to the island’s constitution. had recommended changes to section 63 Tuvalu, complete or partial, over any area
Samoan artworks, tropical gardens, and yet International Awards night in Wellington. Taape told Islands Business, the gov- (1) on the election of the Prime Minister. of land or water or airspace above, or pre-
100% Samoan Owned and Operated – this inside the rooms is four-star luxury with Giving Back – Ramona and her family
is the only large resort in Samoa (98 room ernment simply ran out of time, and since Currently, that section states that the vents a law from having extra-territorial
spaces spread over hotel rooms and self- ensuites, air conditioners, multichannel TV, believe they have been blessed to give back. the mandatory “processing mechanism” of “Prime Minister shall be elected by the effect in accordance with section 86 (vest-
contained villas) that is still in Samoan original artworks and generous verandahs off The Resort has initiated a local Tertiary 21 days for the bill could not be met, the members of Parliament in accordance with ing of the law making power),” it added.
Scholarship Fund, Medical Fund, Primary
ownership. The resort is owned by the Family every room. Many have kitchens, and some Education Support, and has donated time and Speaker of the Tuvalu Parliament ruled it Schedule 2 (election and Appointment of With parliament running out of time to
even have jacuzzis.
Trust of Ramona Su’a Pale, the Matriarch, prizes that have raised hundreds of thousands could not be tabled. Prime Minister).” process the amendment to the constitution
General Manager and a child of the local Our Awards – Return to Paradise is current “Sopoaga had no choice but to withdraw However the CRC said that most Tu- bill, Sopoaga has succeeded in stopping
village, and a group of Samoan business holder of the Supreme Award of Excellence for of dollars for Spinal Injury Care, Lifeline the bill, and as a consequence, we also valuans wanted the election of the Prime moves to take the powers of the election of
owners who have supported her. You can also Samoa. This is an outstanding achievement for Suicide Prevention, Cancer Societies and withdrew our motion of no confidence Minister to be done by the electorate. the Prime Minister away from parliament
many others. In the ten years since the resort
know that all the money you spend here stays a 100% Samoan family owned and operated construction first started, over $1million has against his government,” said Taape. It recommended that the newly elected to give it to the voters.
in Samoa building the economy of Samoa. resort. We also hold the Prime Minister’s been distributed to many charities from the “The motion of no confidence was made 15-member parliament decide on two But opponents like Taape like to think
Surely this should be the intention of the Cup for Best Culinary Dish, Best Samoan as a compromise to the bill,” he explained. names to contest the Prime Minister posi- they have also succeeded in thwarting
tourism industry everywhere – that the money String Band (First), Junior Fire Dancer (First), fundraising efforts initiated by Ramona and “Because the Prime Minister did not want tion, and that these names then be put to moves by the Prime Minister to perma-
guests spend stays in the local economy. Senior Fire Dance pairs routine (First), her family. to withdraw the bill, we (five private the electorate for a vote. nently eliminate any attempt to change the
Senior Single Fire Dancer (First, Second and members of parliament) decided to file the “Sopoaga vigorously opposed this pro- section of prime minister election under
One Extended Family - because Ramona’s Third). Needless to say, the Fia Fia night on motion of no confidence to the office of posed amendment of section 63 (1) of the the constitution.
family own the resort and are from the village, Almost every guest feels something special the Speaker and I agreed to be the mover constitution,” Taape told IB. “He knows he Sopoaga faces re-election after parlia-
they take caring for guests very seriously. Wednesdays is amazing. at Return to Paradise Resort and almost of the motion. does not have the support of the electorate ment is adjourned sine die on 22 June,
There are 150 staff, with around 100 of them Marble Chapel by the Sea – available for everyone says they are coming back. I “However, when the point of order we and wanted the powers to elect the prime with general elections scheduled for Sep-
being Ramona’s vast extended family. This weddings, anniversaries and other special suppose that is why it is called RETURN to raised (about the mandatory bill process- minister to remain with the 15-members tember, weeks after he will have hosted his
family have been guardians of this beach for dedications, this might well be the only all- Paradise. Yes, this resort must be on your ing mechanism time of 21 days) was of parliament.” counterparts for the Pacific Islands Forum
1000 years, so when you visit, they do not see marble chapel in the Pacific. It’s location bucket list. successful, and the Speaker ruled out the He said the first reading of the amend- leaders meeting in Funafuti.

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