Speaker of Parliament, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao.

 

By Nanai Laveitiga Tuiletufuga

“I will agree to disagree with the Attorney General,�? responded Speaker of Parliament, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao.

“I agree that he is the legal advisor for government but I totally disagree with his decision because I remain firm on my original opinion that there was a breach of section 25 of the Legislative Assembly Powers and Privileges Ordinance 1960.

“I have previously emphasized, that this is not an issue of freedom of speech and expression which is a fundamental freedom guaranteed under Article 13 of the Constitution of the Independent State of Samoa 1960.

“However, the proviso under Article 13 does not prevent the State from making laws or impose any laws so made to restrict the exercise of such freedoms for the protection of the privileges of the Legislative Assembly among others.

“My Constitutional role and duty as Speaker of Parliament is to protect the integrity and sanctity of the Legislative Assembly.�?

Laauli maintains that he should have had the final discretion on whether to file criminal charges or not.

But noted that by referring the matter to the Attorney General is will  ensure that neglecting the Parliament laws will not repeated or tolerated in the future.

“Let this be a lesson for the future,�? continued the Speaker. “The most important aspect is that Parliament must be respected.

“If you are not recognizing the law of the House; you are also disrespecting the Parliament and the whole country.�?

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