Two ‘Table of the House’ tables have been gifted to the Cook Islands Parliament by the Parliament of Western Australia. The centrepiece tables, constructed from the unique and symbolic Jarrah tree of Western Australia, were handed over at a special ceremony in February 2024 ahead of the first parliamentary sitting of the year. The Cook Islands and Western Australian Parliaments are ‘twinned’ through the CPA’s twinning programme between the CPA Australia and CPA Pacific Regions, established in 2007, which fosters cooperation and support between Australian and Pacific Parliaments.

The Western Australian delegation – led by Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. Michelle Hopkins Roberts, MLA and the President of the Legislative Council, Hon. Alanna Therese Clohesy, MLC – met with the Speaker of the Cook Islands Parliament, Hon. Tai Tura, Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff in Rarotonga. The Western Australia Speaker said: “We are so pleased to finally be able to present the tables and we are very honoured to have a piece of Western Australia here in the Cook Islands Parliament taking centre stage. This is part of a long-term relationship – many former Speakers, former Presidents and parliamentary delegations from Western Australia have been to the Cook Islands since 2007.” The Clerk of the Cook Islands Parliament, Tangata Vainerere welcomed the gift of the two tables for the Parliamentary Chamber and highlighted the Parliament of Western Australia’s ongoing support including programmes, training opportunities and additional assistance to the Cook Islands.