James Marape
Photo: Nathan McKinnon
The Papua New Guinea Parliament has passed a significant constitutional amendment, introducing an 18-month grace period following any unsuccessful Vote of No Confidence (VONC) against a sitting Prime Minister.
The amendment was passed on yesterday with an overwhelming vote of 81 to 4, surpassing the two-thirds majority required for constitutional changes.
Prime Minister James Marape hailed the decision as a crucial step towards fostering political and administrative stability.
Speaking at a press conference following the parliamentary session, Marape emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between governmental continuity and the constitutional mechanism of checks and balances.
"Our MPs voted in big numbers today. This shows that a VONC motion can be moved, but the grace period applies both ways," he said. "This amendment provides stability. It is halfway between completely doing away with the VONC provision and allowing it to remain."
The revised Section 145 of the Constitution ensures that if a VONC motion is moved but fails, the government will not face another such challenge for 18 months. Conversely, should the opposition successfully oust a government, the new administration will also be granted an 18-month period free from similar disruptions.
Papua New Guinea Parliament
Papua New Guinea Parliament Photo: EMTV Online / Tamara Pia Agavi
Prime Minister Marape, who has personally faced multiple votes of no confidence over the past year underscored that the amendment aim to discourage frivolous political moves that could disrupt governance and public service delivery.
"The MPs who voted for this law know the importance of it. They know that political instability has disturbed them and the Public Service machinery from working effectively," he said.
While the Marape-Rosso government had the numbers to completely abolish the VONC provision, the Prime Minister indicated that his administration chose a more moderate approach.
"We could have chosen to completely remove the VONC provision with the voting ability we have, but as a responsible government, we acknowledge that Section 145 is placed for a purpose-to provide a check and balance," he remarked.
The amendment has sparked debate, with opposition leaders hinting at a possible legal challenge. However, Marape remained steadfast, noting that the provision still aligns with the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
This development is seen as a strategic move to ensure stability in a country where political volatility has often hindered effective governance.