Caption: Opposition MPs at the media conference after the rejection of the motion.
By MATTHEW VARI
Sunday, April 3, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)
A CLEARLY disappointed Opposition have cried foul on the conduct of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Aide Ganasi in not entertaining their motion for a Vote of No Confidence on Thursday’s sitting.
Deputy Opposition Leader Sam Basil said after Thursday’s session that the rejection of motion was not done according to the standing orders.
“We were shouted down and overruled. The reasons the deputy speaker gave were those we addressed- we gave it in time and gave to the office of the deputy speaker during and before the committee sat,” Basil said.
“The order in regard to Namah was handed to Speakers office. The order entered 5th of February is still in effect and sadly chair of the committee decided to overlook the order.”
“The deputy speaker failed and overlooked the order. Also if we exclude Kelly we will still be 12 to have the motion entertained. It is required more than 11- again we are been led to be misled by the deputy speaker.”
He said this despite the deputy speaker’s statement in the chamber saying that there were in total nine signatories confirmed supporters of the rejected motion.
Basil also welcomed his referral to the privileges committee adding that the moves taken by the ruling government through the chair of the speaker’s office were signal to the fear of the Prime Minister to allow the vote to take place.
“Peter O’Neill is very scared. If he had the number he would allow for the vote of no confidence to take place,” Basil claimed.
“He knows very well that those people around him, it is like a marriage pretend to love him but he knows that when given the chance they will dump him.”
“What is so hard about allowing it to test your numbers that you proudly boast of.”
Dr Allan Marat added that the Supreme Court reference was aimed at blocking any and all future motions against the PM’s leadership.
“This Supreme Court reference taken out on the 23rd of March just a day after we lodged the notice of motion was an attempt to place a blockage in the courts. It’s an abuse as if the PM thinks he is in the clear why is he blocking this part of the democratic process,” Marat said.
“The reference on section 142, 143, and 145 of the constitution and section 63 of the organic law are for what?”
“The reference we do not have the specific questions stated for the reference in this particular reference filed by PNC (Peoples National Congress party).”
“Now in the future if we file notice of motion with the speaker they will always use this reference as blocking our motion using the argument of sub judicial,” he added.
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