Despite concerns, the travel and allowance budget for the current financial year was increased by nearly half a million dollars in February. Photo: Cook Islands News
By Rashneel Kumar, Cook Islands News
Cook Islands MPs spent over $350,000 on overseas travel in the first half of the 2024/25 financial year, with a significantly increased budget allowing for further expenditures and calls to upgrade MP travel classes.
Documents released by parliament show that 11 Members of Parliament incurred $131,180.24 in overseas travel and allowance expenses during the second quarter, from October 1 to December 30, 2024. In the first quarter, from July 1 to September 30, 2024, the expenditure was $219,638, bringing the half-year total to $350,818.24.
The initial budget for MP Travel and Allowances (local and overseas) was $450,000, but it increased to $913,516 in the supplementary budget passed last month.
Prime Minister Mark Brown was the top spender in the second quarter, with expenditures totalling $32,817.98. Of that amount, $20,401.07 was spent on his visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, in November last year for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29).
Opposition leader Tina Browne was second highest spender, accumulating $27,551.18 over two trips followed by Minister Vaine "Mac" Mokoroa, who spent $23,595.59 on four overseas trips.
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Foreign Affairs Minister Tingika Elikana, who is expected to travel overseas often for meetings, was the second lowest spender. He took a single trip during the period to Brisbane for the partially-funded Pacer Plus Ministerial Meeting, spending only $2940.
The increasing travel and allowance expenses of MPs have received widespread public scrutiny following the revelation that the total overseas expenditure for the 2023/24 financial year reached $659,000.16, a significant increase of approximately 51 per cent from the previous year. In total, $717,083 was allocated for MP Travel and Allowances (local and overseas) in the 2023/24 financial year.
Despite concerns, the travel and allowance budget for the current financial year was increased by nearly half a million dollars in February. This brings the 2024/25 MP Travel and Allowances (local and overseas) spending to $913,516, a 27 per cent rise from the previous year.
During the supplementary budget debate last month, Opposition MP Vaitoti Tupa of Matavera, while supporting the increase, asked the Government to consider upgrading ordinary MPs to premium economy when they travel.
According to the Civil List Act, the prime minister is entitled to first-class travel when travelling outside of the Cook Islands on official business while deputy prime minister, ministers, Speaker of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition are entitled to travel business class. The Act also states all MPs are to travel economy class.
Tupa, who is also the deputy chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: "I have heard some concerns from Members of Parliament on both sides of the House regarding travel arrangements outside the country. It is clear that when a Member of Parliament travels to places like New Zealand or Australia, they typically fly in economy class. However, Ministers are afforded business class travel."
"I empathise with the Member for Are-Nikau, who had to travel a long journey in economy class. I just wanted to put this request through, understanding the existing criteria for MP travel. I am requesting that in this appropriation, the government consider upgrading ordinary Members of the House to premium economy when they travel."
Tupa acknowledged Minister Mokoroa, who, during their trip to New Zealand, upgraded him to premium economy "out of compassion".
"As such, I stand before you to support this request and to seek the government's support for upgrading MPs to premium economy Class for their travels."
- Mark Brown $32,817.98
- Tina Browne $27,551.18
- Vaine Mokoroa $23,595.59
- Speaker Tai Tura $15,247.97
- Tai Herman $8,801.25
- Tereapii Kavana $6,157.00
- Toanui Isamaela $4,358.15
- Tukaka Ama $3,909.22
- Sonny Williams $3,814.00
- Tingika Elikana $2,940.00
- Rose Toki-Brown $1,987.90
-This article was first published by Cook Islands News
