Saturday, June 26, 2010

Comment ion Samoa's Rising debt in Samoa Observer

All voters preparing for the 2011 general elections in Samoa ought to be concerned about Samoa's national debt that has now exceeded the targeted figure of 40percentof GDP.
All voters ought to be asking their MPs to detail to them(the voters) how the debts will be paid. This is such an important question. The answers should indicate whether the current government really care. It is quite possible that the strategies accepted and planned for paying the national debt may increase poverty for the majority of the population. So voters you need to ask and find out from the government.
(18-06-2010 05:36)

Comment on Samoa Observer editorial -How much debt is too much

Good explanation, Mr Hunter.
It helps me to see the real problem; that the real revenue figure after subtracting all the spending has not been revealed.
Why should this figure be kept away from the voters?
Isn't being transparent part of the public-government democratic deal?
How can the public (voters) help their government to work out what's best if the figures are not known?
I agree with you that it is ok to have debts as long as it means Samoa can retain a sustainable domestic life, basic needs met in a well conserved natural environment that will be hard to find in the world in the next fifty years.
Voters ought to elect leaders who will introduce into the system a Freedom of Information legislation that will facilitate the true sharing of vital information with the people.
Ia manuia Samoa.

Male fa'aaloalo lava.

Meripa Weir
(21-06-2010 02:16)

Friday, June 25, 2010

Personal message to Julia Gillard - new PM

Who has been left unattended?

Julia Gillard...Welcome aboard the aircraft of the Australian people as the new chief pilot. We await with patience how you will tackle the big election issues at the moment in the country – climate change, mining tax, asylum seekers, education, health…
It is very important however to ask the question - Who of the passengers have been left un attended by the government chief steering pilot? I repeat. Who has been left unattended by the government?
One very real example are the unfortunate mental health victims who through the systems faults end up dead, neglected, jailed, or a life of helplessness. These people are at the moment in the bottom deck or in the cabin of the craft.
This is what the GetUp current petition is all about. As a nurse I feel that the health reforms has not really touched this very real issue in Australia.
Julia, the quality of your leadership can be guided by the above question.
Don't forget all passengers want to be safe in your hands. All the best.

Meripa Weir
2 Rivergum Place
Calamvale Qld 4116

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Julia Gillard - first woman to lead Australia

Today is a historic day in Australian politics. The Labour government has put pressure on PM Kevin Rudd to step down and replaced by Deputy leader Julia Gillard. This Caucus move is to ensure the Government is re-elected at this years general election.
Mr Rudd has been a great leader since Labour won in 2007. Julia will work even harder to persuade the Australian public that they will be safe, and cared for under her leadership.

I agree with Queensland's ex-Premier of Queensland who said that Australia has matured by having a woman representing 50 percent of the population as Prime Minister.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Letter to politician

Dear Politician ( Federal MP Graham Perrot)

Having a son who attempted to commit suicide twice in one day and ended up with criminal charges, and a head injury before anyone recognizes he was suffering from mental illness is the cause for my husband and I to support the GetUp petition for Government action to improve the inadequate provision of mental health including suicide prevention in Australia.

In addition we urge for a better understanding of the relationship between drug addiction and mental health through new research findings (Professor Barry Everitt of Cambridge University). New approaches are urgently needed to prevent the incarceration of many many many mentally ill individuals. Correct diagnosing and correct treatment are badly needed to ensure effective outcomes for the sufferring individuals.

Hospitals services are stretched to the point where it is inadequate and unsafe for the mentally ill. There is too many individuals admitted with attempted suicide. There is too many individuals discharged too soon to empty hospital beds for the next suicidal patient. It is grossly inadequate for Australia.

We join GetUp to urge urgent government action.


Yours faithfully

Meripa Weir and David Weir

2 Rivergum Place
Calamvale Qld 4116

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Think and Act local and global

Comment in Weekend Observer 18/06/2010

Think and act local and global

Good work Mr Hunter. I agree with you about the lack of national debate and the last minute re-election carry-on by Members of Parliament. Of course it is all show in Parliament!
Voters must wake up to the fact that political parties (especially in their current one sided constitution) cannot save Samoa from global and regional economic and environmental consequences.
What is vital to the survival of Samoa is a ‘united’ sense of concern by the people (voters) for what is happening and will happen to their country in today’s global climate of world assets and resources (including Samoa’s measina) in the hands of ‘a few’.
There are global movements of people who are well informed about the global injustice affecting all countries of the world. Samoa now needs a global justice Mau Movement if we care about the future of our children, grandchildren and the unborn generation.
Start by looking at the soaring national debt. Ask questions about the real underlying reasons for the Land Regisration Act 2008 and the Casino Bill 2010. Find out from your MPs and if they don’t know the answers then you know not to vote them back next year. Do not accept “don’t worry” answers from your leaders. That’s not true accountability nor good governance.
“Samoa ala mai ma fai le fa’afetai i le Atua le Tupu o le atunu’u” sang the Manu Sevens. That was their driving force.
Ia alofa le Atua ia toe ola i Samoa le agaga alofa mo le atunu’u a e fulitua i le manatu fa’apito ma le fa’apitonu’u.

Ma le fa’aaloalo lava

Meripa Weir

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Looks like an election budget

Given general elections pending in March 2011, HRPP government budget announced 28 May 2010 looks like an election budget with public servant, pensioners and tourism to benefit the most.

Here's my quick comments to an Editorial 'Election year looms large over budget' by Mata'afa Keni Lesa in Samoa Observer 29 May 2010 :-

Response to HRPP Budget 2010 2011

To me, it is as if the country has money to throw away despite the global financial crisis
You watch... after the general elections 2011, if the HRPP is still in government, the real figures will come out, the unemployment figures will triple, and there will be wage freeze in the bulk of the workers, a drop in minimum wage, more privatization and overseas led investments and the national debt will soar. But a security approach will be in place to cater for increase crimes (a sign of a more impoverished country)

Thank you Mr Lesa.

Human rights and Elections - Samoa

Letter published Samoa Observer 30 May 2010


Human rights and Elections


Dear Editor,

Samoa’s record for upholding human rights is not a good one for the world to see, as demonstrated in the recent by-elections.

Whilst full marks can be given for ensuring these elections were peaceful, reports of banishment being used to threaten non-compliant families (those who do not vote as dictated to by select matais of a village) earn Samoa zero marks in my assessment.

It is un-democratic, unchristian and un-constitutional because the individual over 21 years is denied the freedom to choose a candidate they see fit in their informed mind to represent them in Parliament.

Why is it that in some villages, adults (over 21) are being treated as if the senior matais of the village can do their thinking and make their decisions for them? It is even worse when you find out that the victims are matais themselves or are very well informed people.

I know that bribing at the village level by particular political parties is a possible factor in the behaviours of some senior matais. But this is not legal. How many more court cases are needed to bring the point home?

Why does there have to be expensive court cases when the twenty-first century Samoan has had the most education (including the tofa mamao and tofa loloto taught by our forebears) to correct what is wrong?

Denying the freedom for adults to vote for the election candidate of one’s choice is wrong.

Denying the opportunity for us Samoan adults overseas to participate in Samoa’s general elections is also wrong. The twenty-first century leaders of Samoa should not let funding shortage as an excuse to deny our constitutional and political rights as active contributers to Samoa’s economy.

Why not use some of the many millions of aid money given to Samoa to at least give us that right?

Samoa cannot go back to the pre- adult universal suffrage years. She can only move forward to ensure full political participation of her people.


Ia manuia sauniuniga mo faiga palota i le 2011.

Ma lo’u fa’aaloalo lava.

Meripa Olive Weir – Keen Samoan Watcher from Abroad.