The Cook Islands’ Prime Minister’s office says the Government is not scared of any potential threats from the opposition.

And it rejects suggestions that its slim majority is rendering the Government ineffective.

Bridget Tunnicliffe reports:

_"It’s been reported that members of the opposition coalition recently approached members of the Government to jump ship and oust the Prime Minister Henry Puna.

A former MP Norman George says the Government is feeling vulnerable and as a result new legislation is being held up.

Mr George says the Government is too scared to hold longer parliamentary sessions and had to rush the Budget through.

He says the only solution is for the country to go the polls but the CEO in the Prime Minister’s Office Edwin Pittman insists the Government is not feeling nervous.

Mr Pittman says a one seat majority is not unheard of in the Cook Islands and previous Government’s have also sped up the Budget process.
He says criticism is coming from opposition groups but believes the general public just want the Government to be allowed to get on with its job."_