Ruling coalition defeats no confidence vote

Caption: Government caucus taking their side of the floor during the vote.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, July 24, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

FRIDAY’S Vote of No Confidence saw the O’Neill-Dion Government numbers maintain its strength with a resounding victory over the Opposition’s vote of no confidence motion introduced with 85 against the motion and 21 for.

In a session that showed the strength of government before the get go- the entire ruling coalition contingent made its way into the chamber just as it had did so from its Alotau outing clearly showing the result for the day.

Despite, both the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and Sir Julius Chan’s presence on the Opposition benches, both still turned heads from other side being in their unaccustomed seats for the vote.

Debate on the vote took place as the Supreme Court ordered, which the Speaker of the house Theo Zurenouc maintained would take place in strict compliance of the orders of the court.

“The chair reminds Members of ancillary orders given that one, Parliament meet at 2pm to comply with order number 7 and order number 8 parliament address motion and adjourn 1 week to Friday 22nd July 2016 for motion to be moved, debated, and voted in accordance with Section 145 (1b) of the constitution,” the Speaker said.

“The requirement of the first part of that order were met last Friday. With the introduction of the vote of no confidence and it has followed that a period of 7 days is required by section 145 (1b) has been complied with.”

“This only leaves the latter part of the order whereby the debate and vote will be the next part of business.”

He reiterated to both parties of any tempering of process amounting to contempt of the court.

“Any attempt at changing or altering the terms of the motion will amount to a breach of the Supreme Court’s intentions and orders. Any attempt to change the nominee will amount to a deviation of the Supreme Court’s ruling and will not be entertained.”

“It is the chairs desire to see and hear reasonable constructive debate on this matter.”

“I would ask you to refrain from provoking each other during debate, but instead I ask you concentrate on presenting your side with reasonable clarity and demeanour.”

But provoke they did as both sides took swipes at each other during debate with the opposition highlighting numerous allegations laid against the Prime Minister by the Deputy Opposition Leader as the mover of the motion.

Leader of government business and Finance Minister James Marape, however, labelled the motion as one to create instability that would hurt the country’s image.

“The only purpose of such a malicious motion is to create instability. This is not the first time- it is a fourth attempt of a vote of no confidence by the opposition. The previous three were rejected by the house committee.”

“The mandate you get to run government secured directly by the constitution determined by the people directly at elections so for you as elected voice representing your people to change government you do not play monkey business when you submit section 145 notice.”

“You must comply to the strictest sense compliance,” Marape said.

However, Mr Basil, raised a point of order to make mention of, what he said was lack of bipartisan in the permanent parliamentary committee.

“Regarding house committee rejecting motion four times. The house committee is the responsibility of this parliament to make sure that the house committee is bipartisan.”

With debate given by a handful of speakers, the speaker the called for the suspension of debate which received a verbal backlash from the opposition benches, in particular, the opposition leader and alternate Prime Minister Nominee Don Polye.

“You have a PM with allegations against him and he has a right to defend himself and clear himself.”

“Malicious motion to stop debate, PM must have right to defend himself on the floor.”

Despite the speaker taking note of Polye’s point, debate was closed and the vote took place with the speaker announcing the result.

“Members the result is those against the vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister 85 and those in favour 21.”

I declare the motion against the PM negative,” the speaker announced.

Parliament was then adjourned to 2pm Tuesday, August 9.