Dear Editor – I share my concerns again about the Government Caucus in the hope that since the Political Stability and Leadership Integrity Bill has now become law, there is the golden opportunity for the country to do things in the proper and fair way.
I continue to hold that the Caucus as it is; is a misguided and ill-conceived body.
Its proximity to Cabinet in the Prime Minister’s Office and the fluidity of membership within and between these two bodies often confuses the role of Cabinet as the supreme body of the Executive arm of Government.
The fact that this Caucus is funded and supported by the Government of the day is another cause for concern.
For one thing, why should this be the case when the Caucuses of all the other political parties not in Government, are not similarly supported by the tax payers?
This is the same thing as the Government funding only some private political parties and individuals using public funds. It tantamounts to an unfair advantage to a few at the expense of the country.
A Caucus is supposed to be the organising Committee of a political party therefore an integral part of a private body.
This Government Caucus has become the organising committee of the Government. How about Cabinet?
Not only is this Caucus, a private body funded by the public’s tax payers’ money, but the funding is also for this private body to pursue and sustain the interests of its members and not necessarily that of the country.
Caucuses are integral parts of political parties. Their rightful place to operate and be directed from is within the political party headquarters and boardrooms.
They must be entirely independent of Government funding. In a coalition government situation, there is no need for another as it were, grand caucus in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Parties that are members of any governing coalition situations should already be well represented in Government through Cabinet and as Government Backbenchers.
The new law regulates the establishment and conduct of political parties and leaders. It is my sincere hope that this will lead to political parties being strong enough on their own not to need another grand Caucus as the one presently in existence.
The development of this country and its national priorities have long been retarded and distorted by this self-serving body.
Gabriel Taloikwai
Honiara
