Former Prime Minister rebuffs allegations on his involvement in Tax free initiative for Members of Parliament

-
The former Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo has rebuffed allegations & speculations made against him on the issue of Tax free exemption for Members of Parliament in Solomon Islands.  In an exclusive interview with Mr. Lilo, he says he is aware of speculations that he was responsible for the initiative of the Tax free entitlement for Members of Parliament during his time as Prime Minister.

Mr. Lilo said, as an Economist, he is well aware of the repercussion this would have on people, especially on the issues of justice and equality.  The former Prime Minister said, had this piece of document been there before him during his time, he would object to it immediately.  He said in his capacity as an Economist, there is no logic as to why these Members of Parliament should be exempted from paying tax.  He said only citizens under the threshold minimum wage standard would be exempted from paying tax, under the income tax act.

Gordon Darcy Lilo (Photo ABC)
However he says there is still hope for Solomon Islanders to sort this matter out in a professional and ambient manner.  Mr. Lilo said that for people to think that the controversial 'tax free' issue came about from his time is very wrong.  He urged the DCC Government and the PEC to sort this issue out with the people of this country.  He said they would know by now and heard that the people had spoken and the right thing for them to do is to do what is right for the people.  Mr. Lilo said the people had spoken.

A high court ruling had declared the decision made by the Parliamentary Entitlements Commission (PEC) on the tax free entitlements for Members of Parliament as null and void.  However the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal had now legally made Members of Parliament in the Solomon Islands free from paying tax.

ENDS////

 Gordon Darcy Lilo on free tax for MP's. mp3 audio


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

AUSTRALIA: A STEADFAST PARTNER AND FRIEND TO SOLOMON ISLANDS

-
Image
BY DR LACHLAN STRAHN, AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO SOLOMON ISLANDS Australia and Solomon Islands enjoy a close bond – indeed, we are Pacific family. The Blue Pacific is our shared home, our common region. The Coral Sea links us forever and continental drift is in fact pushing us closer together. But our deep friendship is based on much more than shared geography. We are bound together by our common values as democratic countries committed to peace, a rich spiritual life and a shared determination to give every individual, man, woman, girl and boy, the opportunity to reach their full potential. Family stick together, through the good times and the tough times. Australia partnered with Solomon Islands during some of the country’s darkest moments, including through RAMSI to help restore stability and law and order. And Solomon Islands has been there for Australia, with people across the country reaching into their hearts to raise funds for the communities ravaged by devastating bushfir...
Read more

VANUATU BIGGEST IMPORTER OF CANNED TUNA FROM SOLOMON ISLANDS

-
Image
BY GEORGINA KEKEA VANUATU is the biggest importer of canned tuna from Solomon Islands. National Fisheries Development (NFD) Limited Managing Director, Frank Wickham shared this information in a recent radio talkback show to mark World Tuna Day. Wickham says the biggest export destination for SolTuna’s canned tuna is Vanuatu. “Followed by Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the market is now open in New Zealand. There is a big move now to promote and market in New Zealand and Australia. We have containers going to Kiribati, Tuvalu with a few to Tonga and Marshall Islands. The biggest of them all is Vanuatu”, Wickham said. He says domestically the consumption of tuna is growing annually making Solomon  Islands one of the biggest canned tuna consumption per capita in the world. “Two years ago it was like more than 800,000 cartons a year. which means for every woman, man and child in the country, they consume one carton a year. So if you look at 48 tin cans in one carton, it is almost one ...
Read more

HOW A TINY PROVINCE IN SOLOMON ISLANDS REACHES OUT TO AUSTRALIA

-
Image
THE small island province of Temotu in the far eastern part of Solomon Islands is one of the nation’s most prone natural hazard areas. The tsunami in 2013 swamped through 20 villages With an estimated population of less than 25,000, Temotu often has its bouts of natural disasters. In 2015, tropical cyclone Pam left devastating effects on the tiny province where people were affected from damages to their fruit trees, food gardens and agricultural crops. People near the coast were evacuated. Then again in 2017, TC Donna in its wake and formation also impacted badly on the people of Temotu. Not to mention it was only seven years ago a tsunami claimed lives of more than 10 people, swamped more than 20 villages forcing the government to declare a state of emergency over the Santa Cruz Islands. Remains of household in Venga village after 2013 tsunami (Photo supplied) Their most recent bout of disaster was in January 2019 where bad weather caused people to face food shortag...
Read more