VONC

Police are on high alert to keep the crowd under control and control traffic going into Independence Drive.

Police are sending people who are cutting the line to the back as those who had come early are starting to get frustrated.

Drivers have been urged to drive in to do drop offs and drive out again.

People are still fighting for space in the queue.

Only a few minutes ago the first 50 members of the public were let through by police who are trying trying to control the crowd.

There are only 300 passes available for public gallery.

“Our Members and each of us must be urgently reminded of the provisions pertaining to Bribery within the Criminal Code Act 1974,” said the Chairman of TIPNG, Lawrence Stephens.

Stephens stated that Sections 61 and 62 of the Act clearly outline that bribery of Members of Parliament involves, “attempts, directly or indirectly, by fraud, threats or intimidation of any kind, to influence a Member of the Parliament in his vote, opinion, judgement or action on any such question or matter, or to induce him to so absent himself.”

In a media conference right after the parliament session, O’Neill said this is an indication of the government that has numbers and mandate to continue to rule until 2017.

He said this is when the people will decide whether the government has done a fair job in managing the affairs of the country or not.

He added that the Opposition are just wasting the country’s precious time in coming up with such ‘jokes’ of the notice of the motions of the vote of no-confidence.

Signatures on no-confidence motion to be checked

http://www.looppng.com/content/signatures-no-confidence-motion-be-checked

The signatures on the motion for the vote of no-confidence (VONC) against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill will have its authenticity confirmed.

HB Case: Empty shell matches weapon

He said advice received from two constitutional lawyers have shown that the Opposition had followed the requirements of the Constitution and Standing Orders of Parliament when filing the VONC last week.

Polye said he has received assurance from the Deputy Speaker Aide Ganasi last week that the Private Business Committee will sit this Wednesday to go through the VONC motion.

The Oposition Leader further added that the VONC is of national importance because of the current economy of the country and also many outstanding allegations against the Prime Minister.    

Govt to hike GST rate

http://www.looppng.com/content/govt-hike-gst-rate

Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch in handing down the 2016 budget of K14.2 billion says the increase in revenue is expected to come from excise duty and the goods and services tax.

And the Opposition Leader Don Pomb Polye has challenged Mr O’Neill to test his numerical strength again on the motion against him, saying the leader of government business and the PM must not adjourn the Parliament unnecessarily to avoid this motion being entertained.

The motion was moved by the Deputy Opposition Leader Sam Basil and seconded by Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.

Mr Polye said they were told that the motion was in order and met all the technical requirements.

Opposition Leader Don Polye announced that they have given the notice to the clerk and the speaker of parliament.

The motion has been moved by the deputy leader of the Opposition and Pangu party leader Sam Basil, while the motion seconder is the Governor of East Sepik Sir Michael Somare.

This motion he says is backed by all Opposition members.

Polye says that the motion was handed over to the acting speaker of parliament in the presence of the clerk and the acting clerk and the lawyer of parliament.

Opposition Leader Don Polye showed two documents, one containing the notice and the other the reasons for the proposed motion of VONC.

The Opposition could not discuss in detail the notice.

The notice will be brought before parliament's private members committee.

The committee will then discuss the notice and if all is in order under the law and parliament standing orders, a copy shall be handed to the clerk of parliament.

Seven days after the notice is lodged the motion can be moved on the floor.

Picture source: Elliot Raphael

Most people went to parliament anticipating the Vote of No Confidence (VONC) however nothing about that occurred.

According to section 145 of the Constitution at least 11 members of parliament must sign a private notice of a motion for a Vote of No Confidence.

This notice must be given to the Chairman of the Private Business Committee who is also the Speaker of Parliament.

After determining that a notice of motion is in order under Parliament Standing Order 22, the Private Business Committee shall deliver a copy of its terms to the Clerk.