Businesswoman Mere Samisoni sworn into Parliament today

There is clearly a need for improved Talanoa, a space for people to talk about the most difficult issues.

This was the comment made by the new SODELPA parliamentarian, Mere Samisoni in her maiden speech in parliament this morning.

Samisoni says the Prime Minister’s supporters say he goes around the country having Talanoa with the people but she says those are mostly complaints of lack of basic services and that is not Talanoa.

She says it is called feedback and it should not just be for the Prime Minister.

Samisoni says the Prime Minister should make this available to the parliament in special reports.

She says this process will collectively link Government and the Parliament to all capital resources and the people.

In response to the Attorney General’s comments regarding the collection of ethnic data in the census, Samisoni says that as a businessperson the knowledge of the ethnic mix of the nation is critical for any commercial enterprise to succeed.

Samisoni says this information that is properly managed makes economies and countries work and they are able to serve their local market and connect to global trade and business opportunities.