Poverty alleviation is the theme of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) for this election, and many heads have been turned. They have just announced the removal of a 15 per cent tax on basic food items and $ 1,000 to each newborn after 15 months, provided they complete all their vaccinations.

HRPP has so far introduced the COLA, PELEGA and now SUPA. Each of these initiatives targets different types of social benefits that have been missing from every government’s plan. The initiatives are not bad, and they will require budgetary commitment to be successful. This is not a new or unheard-of practice, and other Pacific countries have been doing the same.

The Tuilaepa-led HRPP was in power from 1998 to 2021, and if they can clearly remember their time in power, they will recall that they never introduced any such assistance. It was the HRPP that introduced the VAGST to increase tax revenue. The governments in power have often been reminded to remove all taxes and duties, including VAGST and import-related tariffs on food items, to lower the price of food. This was suggested to the previous government as well because feeding a family on minimum wage is a difficult task, and perhaps one of the main reasons why people are unable to afford a balanced, nutritious meal. The ripple effect of this has been the high levels of non-communicable disease cases being dealt with by the hospitals, and going for overseas medical treatment.

To remove tax from food items is something that needs to be done. This has to be done by any government that will come into power, irrespective of which party comes into power. Any government that continues to tax basic food items while knowing that people are finding it difficult to buy food items simply cares more about government revenue. There are other means to increase government revenue, and taking out VAGST and other import tariffs on food items would be a start to making food affordable. If food is affordable, more will be bought, and there will be more money in circulation.

HRPP’s initiative on the $1000 for newborns who complete all vaccinations until 15 months is a double-edged sword. It is great because it will motivate many parents to take their children for vaccinations. This is a major health issue and the main reason why there was a measles epidemic. But on the other hand, there will be people who will become baby factories, producing children just for $1000 and not taking into account the children’s welfare, education and the future costs of having too many children. If this initiative is to be implemented, then there is a need to fund the Family Planning Association and allow them to implement the use of contraceptives. There are already people talking about benefiting from the $500 per family member initiative and planning to increase family sizes.

According to the HRPP leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, during their reign, prices of items were low, and there was no need to remove the taxes from these items. What Tuilaepa forgets to mention is that he was in power up until four years ago, and he could have done something then. The prices of items were low so were the wages for many people. The social benefits being promised now could have been done five years ago, and people would now be in a much better state. So why start focusing on these issues now? It is because people are waking up and wanting action, and not just words. People want elected leaders to improve the lives of the people and not be in the game for their benefit. Let us hope that these promises will be kept if the HRPP returns as the government.

The race to be in power has become interesting in this election. Unlike previous years, no one party can stand up and claim that they have the numbers and confidence of the people. It seems that some voters have woken up and are asking questions about the benefits they would see if they vote. Political parties are having to think about how they can get their votes. The HRPP has had a lot of time to think, and they have come up with costly but meaningful social benefits that could help people. It is also a challenge to other political parties to come up with better or equally good ‘promises’ or plans. The HRPP campaign has also been very well thought out. The others will have to come up with equally strong promotions or even better.

It will be an interesting weekend ahead. The nation is looking forward to all the beneficial initiatives that will be announced by the different parties. More than anything, all promises that are being made should be kept when in power.