Theofelus dismisses ministers 'absconding' allegations, blames time consuming processes

Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus has rejected claims that ministers deliberately dodge parliamentary sessions or delay progress on national matters, insisting that such assumptions are “wrong and unfair.”

Responding to ongoing frustrations in the National Assembly over delayed responses from the executive, Theofelus said ministers remain committed to their duties but face time-consuming processes to ensure accuracy and accountability.

“That assumption or that inference to the public is wrong. Ministers in this house are committed to the issues being raised. We take hours to engage with our officials, we take hours to engage with our public enterprises, and we review and over-review the responses they give to ensure the members of this house and the public have the right information to make the right decisions that affect their lives,” she said.

Theofelus stressed that delays in responding to parliamentary questions stem from rigorous review procedures, not negligence.

“So this situation about absconding or trying not to answer questions is not correct. In fact, we are being delayed in getting responses to the public. As ministers, we are balancing a very difficult schedule,” she added.

Her remarks came as the National Assembly once again debated concerns over unanswered parliamentary questions, with some lawmakers calling for better coordination between the legislature and the executive.

Common purpose

National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu said parliament remains concerned about the handling of questions and answers.

“We want to solve the issue of Thursday in terms of questions and answers. However, the executive, when we have given them time to respond, they either abscond.

"So I think it's a matter of engagement and discussion to find the common purpose of what we want to do in this house. Because there are ministers who abscond coming to parliament to respond to questions,” Kandorozu said.

Similarly, member of parliament James Uerikua expressed frustration over what he described as “a deliberate process” that prevents the executive from responding to pending questions.

“Today is the third day, which is primarily reserved for the executive to answer the questions that have been posed… there is indeed a deliberate process going on on questions that are piled up and lined up to ensure that the executive doesn’t get time to respond to those very questions that have been posed,” Uerikua said.

He urged fellow lawmakers to act pragmatically, allowing ministers the space to address outstanding queries for the sake of legislative progress.

“Let’s also honour the very people who put us here, the citizens of this country, who are expecting the best from us. Let’s allow time for the executive to respond to those questions that have been piling up,” he said.

Meanwhile, three Affirmative Repositioning Movement (AR) members submitted a notice requesting the removal of three questions from the order paper to reduce the growing backlog of unanswered parliamentary inquiries.

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