The former Deputy Speaker, Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua, has been experiencing a streak of bad luck with the government vehicle, FOFO2, which he has been driving.

He was once again involved in another car crash on Wednesday afternoon, a little over six months after he crashed a vehicle with the same number plate in Fugalei. It seems the stars are not aligning for him when it comes to the use of either the same vehicle or the number plate. The Fugalei crash in December did significant damage to the Ford Ranger. As the pictures have shown. Auapaau was not charged for the December crash; the police concluded that the accident occurred because the deputy speaker had a medical condition.

He will not be charged for the crash on Wednesday either. This time it was not his fault. Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo stated that the accident occurred at Vaimea, and the driver of another vehicle that collided with the former Deputy Speaker's car was charged with negligent driving. It is dubious to see the former deputy speaker still driving around in a government vehicle. The dissolution of parliament came into effect on 3 June. This means that no one remains a member of parliament, and therefore their salaries are stopped, and everyone ceases to use government property. There is something not right here.

If Auapaau is using a government vehicle, is it safe to assume that he is still on the government payroll? This is abuse of public funds and abuse of office if the hierarchy of the Legislative Assembly Office is allowing this to happen. It would be interesting to know the cost of the first crash and who paid for it. If the public has been forking money for the damages and then keeping Auapaau paid, then heads must roll. The Legislative as arm of the government may be independent of the other arms, but it is still part of the government. The same principles of accountability, transparency and governance apply to the Legislative Assembly Office.

Only the caretaker government remain on the government payroll after 3 June. The Constitution allows for this as the cabinet has transitioned into the caretaker government. Everyone is well aware that the Papalli Lio Masipau has refused to step down, saying he still has business to conduct even when the parliament has dissolved. This means that Auapaau has followed this path as well. However, this seems highly illegal. Auapaau should have handed in the government vehicle and all government property after 3 June. This is a crime, and therefore, it requires an intervention from authorities.

Auapaau should be charged for using government property when he is not supposed to, and if he is on the payroll, he should return the money he has been paid so far. There is no other way. There is no law supporting that Auapaau should stay in office. The parliament has been dissolved, and no MPs remain. This is corruption, and it needs to stop. Corruption also erodes the trust we have in the public sector to act in our best interests. It wastes taxes and rates meant for important community projects. This results in poor quality services or infrastructure, or projects never getting off the ground.

Is this the type of leader that people have elected? Someone who abuses public resources without feeling the need to be answerable. The general election is two months away. The public has an opportunity to elect people who will not be self-serving and definitely not abuse public funds. In the end, the power is with the people to choose better leaders.