(l-r) Minister of Agriculture Laauli Polataivao Schmidt and Opposition MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi.
By Staff Writer
Angry fighting words flew across the floor this morning between opposition MP Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi and Agriculture Minister Laauli Polataivao Schmidt.
The flare-up was sparked, as debate in the House was just warming up, by a Select Committee report showing a cost increase in the internet communications link,
Tempers burst when Laauli joined the exchange between Lealailepule and Communications Minister Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo on the issue.
The opposition MP did not take well to Laauli blaming the involvement of Vodafone and Digicel as private company shareholders in the internet marine cable, where Government holds 70 per cent majority shares.
Lealailepule slammed the Minister’s claim as ignorant it ignited the explosive verbal punch up.
A trigger happy Minister of Health Tafito Selesele shot in to team with his Cabinet colleague, with a lash out motion to remove the opposition MP from the House.
Speaker Papali’i, who was at an initial loss to stop the heated outburst, was all set to call the vote on the motion when PM Fiame Naomi Mataafa intervened.
The PM asserted her leadership appeal to restore calm to the enflamed environment and with the support of the opposition leader.
The joint peace call by the two leaders diffused the hostilities.