On coming to office, as Minister of Finance, Pitcher inherited the burden of the austerity measures associated with the outgoing Scotty Administration.

[4] On 28 March, Adeang ordered Pitcher and another minister, Kieren Keke, to vacate their seats in Parliament, since they both hold dual Nauruan and Australian citizenship.

[1] Specifically, opposition leader David Adeang accused Stephen of soliciting potential kickbacks from Thai businesspeople looking to buy phosphates in Nauru.

[1] Frederick Pitcher, who had previously served as Minister for Commerce, Industry and Environment, became the new President of Nauru on the same day as Stephen's resignation.

[7] Pitcher dismissed corruption allegations against Stephen as baseless upon taking office, telling reporters, "There was no evidence or proof.

"[7] Pitcher's presidency was not expected to affect the Australian opposition's plan to open a new immigration centre in Nauru.