Leader of Opposition Ro Teimumu Kepa has questioned the extensive legislation against the actual parliament sittings for next year which is 5 weeks shorter.

Ro Teimumu raised the matter in her response to the President’s Address to parliament.

“How can it be more extensive when we have had 8, had had 9 weeks in the last session and only 4 weeks to debate 24 new laws and review existing legislation, what this basically means Madam Speaker is 6 pieces of legislation on average per week, all legislation as we know needs wide consultation with stakeholders, ideally it should be referred to the relevant standing committee for community participation”.

Ro Teimumu pointed out that under the government from 2006 to 2014, 413 decrees were promulgated with numerous amendments upon amendments.

She says there is a need to have more community participation to ensure this isn’t repeated.

She adds all laws should be carefully scrutinized given its overarching effect on the population.