Former Minister of Customs and Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt who was the drive behind the taxing of Church Ministers, says he “respects” the decision by the Government.
“It is their prerogative to do what they require now that they are in office,” said Tialavea.
This week, the bill to repeal the imposition of taxes on Church Ministers was deliberated before Parliament and is now before Committee after it was approved in second reading.
The Act came into effect in January 2018 with only the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa defying the law.A year later the Ministry of Customs and Revenue proceeded to charge the Church Ministers, which was later dismissed in court.When the FAST administration took office they opted to review this specific law and as a result its now before Parliament to be repealed.
Tialavea declined to comment when asked of his thoughts on the move by Members of Parliament from the Human Rights Protection Party who have opted to support the repeal of the Act.
Further questions regarding comments this is the downfall of the HRPP, Tialavea declined to comment.
In Parliament last night Member Deputy leader of the HRPP, Fonotoe Lauofo Meredith appealed to the Government to consider the appeals from his colleagues such as exempting all Church Ministers from paying taxes.
He pointed out two issues that’s concerning as expressed earlier, the impact of the public possibly refusing to abide by the laws in the future if it does not suit them; and secondly whether the Minister had the power to cease a certain provision of the act from being enacted.
Deputy Prime Minister Tuala Iosefa Ponifasio told Parliament last night that he does not have the authority or power to change a law that only happens in Parliament.