Nauru’s reform agenda on track – President
President Baron Waqa has declared the nation's reform agenda "on
track", pointing to economic progress and increased living
standards as evidence that the eight-month old Government is
delivering on its promises and restoring the nation's pride.
Mr Waqa said while it's still early days, the Government has
been prepared to make the tough decisions and has stared down the
critics, for the benefit of Nauru's future.
"Nauruans elected this Government with a specific mandate to
take the nation in a different direction - one where all of our
people benefit, rather than just a select few," the President
said.
Cleaning up cronyism and corruption was the first priority,
because "a level playing field was important for all Nauruans to
prosper and have equal opportunity".
"We made the tough call to replace - and in some extreme cases,
deport - high profile people who put their own interests above the
interest of the nation, and we have brought credibility back to our
legal system," he explained.
"We are creating a healthier nation through greater access to
fresh food, we've prioritised fairer deals for landowners, we've
passed the tough but fair Immigration Act and we've made sure that
negotiations with Australia over the regional processing centre
were done with Nauru's interest in mind."
The President said it was time for Nauru to mature as a nation,
stating that greater parliamentary stability would increase its
reputation and influence across the Pacific region.
"We want to focus on higher-level issues that will secure a
prosperous future for the long-term," he said.
"For too long, our parliamentary dialogue has been petty and
childish. Unfortunately some on the Opposition side still want to
remain at that level, but the Government will not be deterred."
Mr Waqa said his Government would continue its reformist
direction.
"We are determined the stay the course and keep Nauru on the
path to greater economic prosperity."