NIUE WASTED MONEY ON TRIPS

NIUE WASTED MONEY ON TRIPS

Date: 9 February 2007

The National Party spokesperson on Pacific Affairs says the administration of Niue has focused on things that it shouldn't have.

John Hayes says leaders have gone off on meetings around the world that are irrelevant to Niue and expensive, eating up money that would've been better spent elsewhere.

He says leaders have happily claimed per diems and the whole exercise of attending international meetings have been costly.

And there's growing protest at the Niue Government's decision to cut the pay of public servants by making their week a four-day one. Government hopes to save at least $150,000.

The PSA says their members aren't happy. Shane Tovaka says the pay cuts are unexpected and that locals will miss the money.