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POWERBALL RESULTS Drawn: 1/1/15 Draw num: 972 PB TATTSLOTTO RESULTS Drawn: 3/1/15 Draw num: 3491 Shock Proof SUPP: Portable Hard Drives OZLOTTO RESULTS 500GB $138 Drawn: 6/1/15 Draw num: 1090 Next draw: 1TB $189 SUPP: 2TB $309 Cook islands Herald 07 January 2015 Political Commentary 2 Hyperbole Rasmussen’s media stunts tiresome and fast emptying the Demo goodwill account e had the chance to in the fore front of political measure up against news. Obviously egged on by Hthe Prime Minister fellow job seekers Faireka, Eddie Henry Puna in a campaign Drollet, Shaun Willis and Paul television debate but the Allsworth, Rasmussen is trying former leader of the Opposition to make a splash but he can’t Wilkie Rasmussen got a dose part the Red Sea. of chicken liver and invented The more he tries to bait Puna every possible excuse to bypass by one sided media sledging that opportunity. Any criticism through a supportive CI News within the Democratic Party who readily give him premium that their Leader was giving up front page headlines the more the chance to hammer nails Rasmussen exposes his lack into the Cook Islands Party of political acumen and his coffin was robustly defended serious deficiency of strategic by vice president Tupou Faireka comprehension. His public who insisted the decision to ranting that Puna should field another candidate in the resign before he is thrown live debate telecast had to out of Government manifests be decided by the collective Rasmussen harbours personal members of the Party. fantasies he should keep locked That nonsensical diversion away in his own brain. Wilkie Rasmussen meant nothing further was Puna’s silence is evident within the Democratic Party. There are loaded guns in the done; the Demos weren’t he is never likely to dignify He can refute that statement Demo team that are never going convinced Rasmussen could Rasmussen’s political sledging. of fact by immediately to stay silent, then Rasmussen, deliver a knockout punch but Puna isn’t going to resign and calling a Conference to test Faireka and company will they were desperate to shelve give up the reins of power to two his Leadership. None of his be rudely awakened and an alternative that could go toe political misfits when Bishop four loyal followers plus ceremoniously dislodged from to toe with Puna and at the same has the corruption millstone Bishop wants a bar of a Party their positions they think they time expose the incompetence’s hanging around his neck and a Conference because all of them own simply because they are of Rasmussen’s leadership. likely arrest with charges and will be unelected. Rasmussen the only ones on the Bishop/ The relaxed Puna eventually Rasmussen having diminishing has lost the plot with the Rasmussen page of self. delivered the blow that knocked credibility within the wider members; his personal No one needs to be reminded Rasmussen right out of the Democratic Party and virtually contour of expectations is a that when a shaky panicking political ring into the arms of none in Rarotonga. Rasmussen contradiction of the Democratic Puna pulled the plug last April his corner man Aitutaki’s Teina in 2014 was a five time loser Party’s geography of the heart. the CIP goodwill account was Bishop who now is super glued that places the country at high No one was impressed with empty and the Demo one was to Penryhn’s unwanted used by risk if he manages to wriggle his Rasmussen for storming out of over flowing with credits but by date politician. way back into the tax payer’s a recent pre Christmas Caucus July 9 2014 the Demos were in The One Cook Island Movement trough. coalition meeting attended deficit and the CIP had balanced leader Bishop is Rasmussen’s When in Government by OCI representatives when their books. ticket to being a Clayton’s Rasmussen contributed more he was disagreed with and he The dumbness of Drollet and Member of Parliament, the damage like the Toa gate fiasco failed to get his way. The over Rasmussen must take the credit unelected seventh minister of than any memorable benefit bearing Rasmussen is engraving and responsibility for snatching Cabinet. for the Cook Islands and his name deep into his critics’ defeat from the jaws of victory Now more aligned to the OCI virtually nothing for his Penryhn notebooks and his behaviour and tender their resignations than his own Party, Rasmussen constituency. Rasmussen is a invites political injury, out of effective immediately. A new seems to have indulged in so political reject that is driven politeness and tolerant restraint team must step up and save much self preserving enrichment by deep political impulses of those within the Demo Party the Demos from being further he is on a self prescribed public self interest that blind him to are biding their time come savaged by its most dangerous relations effort to keep his name the unwanted messages from Conference. enemy – itself. - George Pitt PB Cook islands Herald 07 January 2015 news 3 Sea Bed Mineral plans suffer setback due to ongoing legal battles over elections By Charles Pitt the Authority’s Business Plan so due to lack of resources, both regime 014/2015 was to be the forecasts for the 2014/2015 year in personnel and funding. Up-skilling and capacity year when the Office of in regard to the tender process Currently, the work that is development of staff, in the Sea Bed Minerals have suffered a severe setback required before the Authority particular on legal aspects of 2 and will probably have to be can issue exploration licenses SBM regulatory regime, and in Authority was to commence the tender of exploration blocks written off. include: general on the overall visions thereby heralding in a new This delay means much 1. Review and finalise and policies of the SBM sector revenue stream for the country. needed new revenue from the regulatory framework moving forward. Under the Authority’s Business issuing of exploration licenses is 2. Preparing for international Tender process: Plan for 2014/2015, the office on hold and this will be troubling Tender process Set up process for future was to seek additional funding to for a government at a time when 3. Environmental management issuance of Exploration and increase its technical capacity and fiscal deficits are forecast for the The first two fall under the Exploitation Licenses expertise. Additional staff were to next few years. Authority’s mandate, which is Up-skilling and capacity be sought, increasing the number When contacted by the Herald what was applied for through development of staff, in of staff from four to eight. New on Tuesday, Sea Bed Minerals CITAF. particular on licensing, technical, staff to be sought were; Technical Commissioner Paul Lynch Goals: negotiation aspects of SBM Director (Marine Geology and declined to comment on the Legislative review: sector, and in general on the Biology), GIS Technical Officer, implications of the delay caused Streamlining of the Policy, Act overall visions and policies of the Licensing and Compliance Officer, by the current political situation. and Regulations for effective SBM sector moving forward. Admin Junior. Extract from Business Plan and efficient running of the SBM The Authority is able to However, due to the ongoing page 25 sector effectively and efficiently legal wrangling over the “The Cook Islands has a The Authority is able to administer the SBM regime outcome of the general election window of opportunity for its effectively and efficiently through the expertise gained in which took place on 9 July, and SBM industry as interest in this administer the SBM regulatory issuing of Licenses. “ with an Appeal Court ordered area is at a high – however, by-election in February, there the longer the Cook Islands SWITCH ON WITH is just four months left until the takes to enter the market – the end of the 2014/2015 financial slimmer our chances become year. In that four months there is for attracting the best investors Te Aponga Uira a possibility more petitions could if they are already engaged Cyclone Safety Tips be filed. Just who will control the elsewhere. The Authority is country’s purse strings depends acutely aware of the need upon the outcome of the to develop the SBM industry February by-election. in order to be able to issue With no Budget likely until licenses. However, it has been a new government is formed, significantly delayed from doing PM has priority for political stability he Prime Minister says his first priority is to provide a secure and stable government. That is in the best interests of the It has been mostly only rain and wet weather so Tcountry, he says. far these holidays with thankfully little sign of any “The Cook Islands Party must explore the political opportunities cyclone activity. available to it, and as Leader, I am obligated to look at those options.” But stay vigilant. Remember that weather “There’s no need for the Demos to get into a huff over it.