It is time to get back to business and focus the government's attention on urgent issues. The nation expects the government to shake off the jet lag and get straight to work.

The Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party’s fourth-anniversary celebration world tour is now over, and we should expect cabinet ministers and members of parliament who participated in this globetrotting exercise to be back in the country.

The celebration tour has helped the party gather funds, which will be used for their general election preparation, so it is safe to assume there will not be another one. This one was unprecedented, as a record number of cabinet ministers had not been in the country for a very long time.

This has led to a few important things being stalled and requiring urgent action.

For starters, urgent action is required towards the district development grant, especially for Lepa. The Attorney General has given her advice on the situation in Lepa and the district council is still awaiting funds. The return of the FAST Party members will see most of the Steering Committee members return and allow the AG to present her findings to them in-person.

The district has been unfairly singled out and this needs to be remedied. While we are still talking about the district development grant, for the sake of transparency and accountability, the cabinet needs to deal with the issue of the misappropriation of funds in Fa’asaleleaga No.2. $175,000 of public funds has been swindled and it is time to get the police to do their work.

The way the cabinet deals with this issue will also show the importance it gives to the accountability of taxpayers’ money. A law has been broken and the police need to be involved so the court system can deliver justice.

An issue that has come to light in recent days is the non-payment of allowances for the auxiliary police or the civilian staff hired for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The police have said the money was allocated and is with the finance ministry. According to the finance ministry, it requires cabinet approval to release the money. Can the 246 or so civilians who are owed money be paid at the earliest?

An international scene was caused by the Speaker and the Minister of Justice for alleged security breaches at the airport. The Speaker denied all claims but this has resulted in Air New Zealand not allowing passengers to enter from the VIP Terminal. The cabinet has to explain this situation and why there has been silence on the issue.

Another explanation the people are waiting for is how a public servant was allowed to travel with the FAST Party and was presented as a representative of the party. His actions clearly being in conflict with the Public Service Code of Conduct.

Most importantly, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa needs to connect to the people. Her absence has left many wondering why their leader chooses to be away from the nation most time. She can do that by talking to the media and returning to her regular weekly press briefings. A government needs to stay connected to its people.

It is time to get back to business and we hope that cabinet ministers realise that they are important components in the machinery that operates the nation. More action on the ground and less time in the air, that’s how things will work.