The governance landscape in Melanesia has long been dominated by political patronage, and MPs have seldom engaged with their constituents on policy issues. PiPP’s MP Face to Face challenged that by facilitating a series of “town hall” public meetings, and culminated in two special events that saw the Vanuatu prime minister and leader of the opposition engage in a truly national conversation on the issues, Following the success of the MP Face to Face and PM finale event across Vanuatu, one observer noted ‘the genie is now out of the bottle – it is no longer possible for politicians to avoid the hard questions from their constituents.’
The two separate events – PM Face to Face and Face to Face featuring the Leader of the Opposition were produced as a special one – hour event broadcast live on TV and radio and transmitted throughout Vaunt using the e-government network.
The following is a summary listing of the questions asked during PiPP’s two Face to Face events held at the Vanuatu Parliament house and featuring Prime Minister Sato Kilman Livtunvanu and Opposition Leader Rialuth Serge Vohor. Note that these are informal notes taken on the fly during the event itself. While we’ve made every effort to ensure that they are a fair and accurate representation of the questions as asked and their responses, they are subject to error and should not be construed as an authoritative record of events.
PM Face to Face
Question 1 – from Port Vila
Q: In reference to the PM’s Independence Day statement that Vanuatu will not be able to meet MDG goals by 2015. What is the strategy to help improve the literacy level in Vanuatu?
A: The PM notes challenges of islands spread over long distances and other concerns. He refers to the education road map and says education will be a priority for years. He wants to reach the goal of universal education but he wants to ensure the quality is not compromised in a rush to meet a goal, i.e., quality teacher training is currently a critical issue in Vanuatu.
Question 2 – from Port Vila
Q: The Universal Primary Education Policy, in which primary school fees are subsidised by the government – which party’s policy was it?
A: The PM responds that this is a direct result of Vanuatu’s commitment to MDG goals. Although roughly 4 political parties are strongly advocating for this policy, Free Education Policy must be perceived as a government policy. PM reminds us that Vanuatu governments are typically coalitions, and policy is developed collectively.
Question 3 – from Port Vila
Q: After Vanuatu’s ratification of CEDAW, what are concrete steps (policy/legislation) as regards gender equality, particularly women’s involvement in politics?
A: The PM responds that recent developments show prospect for progress in this regard. This is an important issue that will require strong backing from all political parties. “Why do we want to have women in parliament?” For him, the issue is more about performance – how women can perform in parliament – just as expected of men.
Question 4 – from Saratamata, PENAMA province
Q: What provisions are there in the Melanesian Spearhead Group for associating with Asian countries at the expense of West Papuans?
A: The PM responds that the MSG operates on consensus of the membership.
Question 5 – from Port Vila
Q: Will there ever be compensation of 1979 police officers?
A: [not recorded]
Question 6 – from Port Vila
Q: What is government strategy on supporting civil society?
A: PM responds that government engagement with civil society is crucial – or else country loses out.
Question 7 – from Port Vila
Q: When will ombudsman be given the power to prosecute those leaders indicted in its reports?
A: PM says there is no need for the ombudsman to be given such power – however it is in the interests of the public to do what it can with the Ombudsman’s reports.
Question 8 – from Lakatoro, MALAMPA province
Q: What is the status of Vanuatu’s economy? A healthy economy is essential for improved infrastructure.
A: PM responds that economy is growing at a slow rate of roughly 2.3 percent –nevertheless this minor growth is sustaining us. Economic growth must precede population growth. There is currently a very high demand on government to provide services. Vanuatu has undergone huge progress on infrastructure development. Development partners have assisted immensely in addressing infrastructure issues e.g. the AusAID-funded VTSSP road-building project by Ausaid on Tanna, Ambae and Malekula. A very important issue is locating where to place infrastructure, and prioritizing this against PAA and PLAS. 13 infrastructure projects have been identified so far.
Question 9 – from Lakatoro, MALAMPA province
Q: Following the recent allegations concerning mismanagement in the Vanuatu National Provident Fund, what updates can you offer us?
A:PM responds that government has requested an independent audit and government will act on the recommendations of this audit. VNPF is a very significant body and failure to observe the rule of law will ultimately have very negative repercussions on development.
Question 10 – from Isangel, TAFEA province
Q: What is the government’s commitment to telecommunications and electrification in TAFEA province?
A: PM responds that UAP funds will address telecom issues on matters of payment by telecom companies, and their part in agreements with Vanuatu government.
Question 11 – from Port Vila
Q: Who did the Vanuatu government ask to forge diplomatic relations with Indonesia?
A: PM responds that the Vanuatu government is a sovereign body, and as such, has absolute control over whatever decisions it takes.
Question 12 – from Sola, TORBA province
Q: What is the source of the 2013 national budget?
A: PM responds that tax is a main revenue earner for Vanuatu. Vanuatu has a very small tax base, and is obliged to raise tax – this often means venturing into new developments, e.g. infrastructure projects.
Question 13 – from Luganville, SANMA province
Q: Will Vanuatu government’s signing of WTO be costly come the national elections?
A: PM responds that Vanuatu’s membership is at perfect timing. It is the best deal Vanuatu can ever get. Vanuatu can now bargain at the international table. Vanuatu can’t lose its land, as land laws come under the authority of the national constitution and not elsewhere. It is also a myth that ni-Vanuatu jobs will be lost, as there is currently a reserved list for ni-Vanuatu businesses.
Question 14 – from Port Vila
Q: Are old politicians ever going to hand the baton over to young blood?
A: PM agrees that young and potential leaders must be groomed and engaged as they will be the future leaders. It is ultimately the voters who will get to decide if young leaders are ready.
Question 15 – from Port Vila
Q: Out of the national budget, what portion is allocated for development?
A: PM responds that only a small fraction (30 percent) is for development, with the rest going towards salaries. In the long term, this is sound – if the public service performs well, then government savings should accrue.
Question 16 – from Port Vila
Q: Vanuatu is signatory to a number of conventions against corruption. What is the government’s stand on recent allegations of corruption in the country?
A: PM responds that he has always referred to corruption in its broadest terms. His government is not ignoring alleged corrupt practices within his cabinet and the public service – the courts are taking care of this, and the constitution is the ultimate judge. When the courts have taken a decision on a matter – there is no need to judge the offender a second time by sacking.
Leader of the Opposition Face to Face
Question 1 – from Port Vila
Q: How do you define corruption?
A: Leader of Opposition (LO) responds that it will take all sectors to work together to combat corruption.
Question 2 – from Port Vila
Q: Vanuatu was once on the top list of criminal countries by OECD. LO once planned on shutting down Offshore Financial Center. What’s his current position on this?
A: LO responds that OECD is irrelevant to Vanuatu, when it comes to finding solutions to Vanuatu’s problems. Vanuatu’s tax haven position to be further considered.
Question 3 – from Port Vila
Q: Free Education Policy is which party’s policy? Where is funding coming from?
A:LO responds that UMP is one of the political parties advocating for this policy. Education is fundamental for development in any country – if there had been free education 30 years ago, Vanuatu would be manufacturing mobile phones and creating car engines by now – today we cant even produce a match. Development partners such as AusAID and NzAID have made significant contributions in this sector.
Question 4 – from Saratamata, PENAMA province
Q: Government budget is recording a deficit of 1.7 billion every month. What is the Opposition’s say on this?
A: LO asks who told you that? [The information is clearly incorrect.]
Question 5 – from Luganville, SANMA province
Q: The CRP [Comprehensive Reform Programme] was initiated under your government. What’s your opinion on CRPs implementation?
A:LO responds that CRP is modeled around transparency, but the current government is not transparent. CRP goals not achieved as a result.
Question 6 – from Port Vila
Q: Why is it that chiefs and church leaders are not involved in policy formulation in the country?
A: LO agrees that national decisions must be made by consensus.
Question 7 – from Lakatoro, MALAMPA province
Q: Corruption is symbolic of a weak government. There are too many political parties and factions, and too many independents. What is your approach?
A: LO responds that there are differing views and existing differences leading on to this.
Question 8 – from Port Vila
Q: What will be your governments approach to youth unemployment?
A: LO agrees that employment creation is a significant need within the country to be seriously considered. We need to consider the reality of life for the average ni-Vanuatu in order to effectively address this issue.
Question 9 – from Isangel, TAFEA province
Q: Concerning the expulsion by PM Kilman of the Australian Federal Police contingent in Vanuatu: What is LO’s opinion?
A: LO responds that Vanuatu must accept the fact that it is interdependent. “ We are not against any country, or foreigner. We want to be friends with everyone. But we want them to put their foot next to ours, but not to stand on our foot. If the latter happens, that’s when things can go wrong”
Question 10 – from Port Vila
Q: Do you agree that the Ombudsman should be given more power?
A: LO responds that he personally sees the ombudsman’s role as a ‘goal-keeper’ his job being to warn government of any advancing misconduct, “but there cant be any two prosecutors – just one”
Question 11 – from Port Vila
Q: The constitution gives the right of custom land to custom land-owners. What will be your approach to giving recognition to custom landowners?
A: In terms of compensation, LO emphasizes the need for a win-win situation between customary landowners and the government. The issue of whether foreigners have the right to subdivide and lease land is also worth exploring.
Question 12 – from Port Vila
Q: Why is economic growth slow?
A: LO stressed the need for reform within the economic sector.
Question 13 – from Port Vila
Q: When are Vanuatu Freedom Fighters (Vete Land Movement) going to be compensated by Vanuatu government for land in the municipal areas appropriated by the government?
A: LO invites Vete leaders to submit their petition to him once he is in power.
Question 14 – from Port Vila
Q: Recent issue of government officers granting visa’s to Indonesians – why has the opposition been silent?
A: LO responds that diplomatic relation’s with Indonesia is a separate issue to West Papuan independence. The issue of West Papua needs to be tabled before the UN.
Question 15 – from Port Vila
Q: Service delivery is still an issue for the outer islands. There is no budget to fund provincial officers’ visits to local communities.
A: LO sees this as a direct result of no clear policy direction from the current government.
Q: What is government strategy on supporting civil society?
Q: Free Education Policy is which party’s policy? Where is funding coming from?
