Member of Parliament Loau Keneti Sio has been charged for allegedly breaching the Standing Orders of the Parliament over claims that he failed to report during the July sitting.
Following the swearing-in of the Members of Parliament, the Speaker Papalii Lio Taeu Masipa’u confirmed during its session that Loau was served with the charges in August, citing clause 46 of the Constitution and section 142 of the Electoral Act 2019.
In response, Loau said he has the utmost respect for Parliament and assumed that his explanation in a previous meeting with the Speaker had settled this matter, but that is not the case.
Former Cabinet Minister Loau said his written response would explain his absence and denied the charge against him. He also acknowledged the Speaker for upholding the standing orders of Parliament, but he is adamant that he followed the process.
He thanked the Speaker for his advise and also apologized to the Speaker for not officially informing him of his absence in the past.
