An Opposition Member of Parliament has two days to submit evidence to support claims that a Cabinet Minister is behind an overseas-based media that defamed the Ministry of Police. 

Member of Parliament for Safata no1, Leaana Ronnie Posini was given the resolution from the House after he made accusations against the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt. 

The M.P. made the comments in the Legislative Assembly during the 2024-2025 financial year budget debate on Wednesday. 

Leaana had raised concerns about a New Zealand-based broadcaster that continued to air defamatory statements directed at a judge for being corrupt pending a trial. 

He did not name the media outlet however he urged the person to be criminally charged stressing the importance of respecting the other arm of Government namely the courts. 

La’auli interjected and defended the media outlet saying they can do whatever they want, its freedom of expression. 

He told Lea’ana if he too wants to share his views he can do so, adding that the Court has the right to respond to those involved. 

In a heated argument with La’auli the M.P. snapped back to say that Parliament should be making decisions about these people. 

He went further by accusing the Cabinet Minister of hiding behind the overseas broadcaster that is defaming the Ministry of Police.

This brought La’auli to the floor again and this time he accused the M.P. for Safata No.1 of making a provocative speech that caused commotion in the House earlier on the day. 

He then demanded evidence from the opposition member to support his claims against him reminding Leaana that he was the one who was rude and being defamatory. 

At this point, the Minister of Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele interrupted in support of his Cabinet colleague. 

Valasi told the House the M.P. for Safata No.1 keeps talking about defamation from the broadcaster against the courts and he should be reminded that the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) defamed the courts in 2021. 

“The H.R.P.P. made substantial defamatory claims against the courts,” he said. 

“The court ruled on that, don’t forget about it.” 

The Minister of Health went further and accused Lea’ana of making speeches that were not constructive and moved a motion to give the member 48 hours to provide evidence to support his allegations against La’auli. 

The motion was approved by the House despite Lea’ana’s objection.