The Speaker of National Parliament Job Pomat has adjourned Parliament to 10am Tuesday, 15th April 2025.
The Speaker reconvened Parliament today after the Supreme Court decision ruled that the decision by the Private Business Committee to reject the 27th of November 2024 motion of No Confidence in the Prime Minister on the Notice paper was unconstitutional and in breach of Section 111 of the Constitution.
Before presenting the decision by the Supreme court and adjourning Parliament Mr. Pomat made an announcement in Parliament that lawyers or anyone should not go to the media to tell Parliament how it should conduct its business.
He said after going to the media to air their thoughts, they even showed up in Parliament to serve the Parliament Clerk and Speaker to tell them how to conduct their business following the court order and asked them to resign.
“This is not right as Parliament has its process and procedures and its standing orders on how it conducts its business,” Mr. Pomat said.
He added that there are 3 arms of government, and these 3 arms of government have their functions.
“The first arm is Parliament, and its job and function is to create and change laws and others. The second arm is the National Executive Council (NEC) where the Prime Minister leads to implement these laws and the third arm is the Judicial where the Chief Justice leads,” he said.
He said Parliament was recalled today by the Supreme Court to debate on a Notice of Motion of No Confidence against the Prime Minister and Member for Tari James Marape.
“The Notice was moved by Sir Puka Temu nominating the Member for Enga Provincial Sir Peter Ipatas as the alternate Prime Minister. The decision of the Supreme Court was made on 31st of March 2025.
The Supreme Court ordered the Speaker to recall Parliament to facilitate and debate the Motion of No Confidence 27th November 2024. The Supreme Court also ordered that the Private Business Committee should deliver the Motion of No Confidence to the Clerk of the Parliament to list on the notice paper.
The Chair in compliance with the court orders on the 2nd of April 2025 fixing 10am today as the time to recall Parliament. The Chair as the Chairman of the Private Business Committee delivered the motion of no confidence of 27th November 2024 to the clerk to place it on the notice paper. The Motion of No Confidence is now on the Parliament Notice Paper on 8th April 2025.
To facilitate debate and comply with section 145 sub-section 1 paragraph (b) of the constitution the notice of No confidence motion of 27th November 2024 will be on the notice paper for 7 days before it is called on for debate,” Mr. Pomat said.
He added that this means that on 15th April 2025 at 10am the motion of No Confidence will be called on for debate.