THE OPPOSITITON TO CONTINUE WITH VONC MOTION

The Opposition will continue with the Vote of No Confidence (VONC) motion in next week’s recalled parliament sitting and hopes that fellow Members of Parliament (MPs) see the need for a change and join them in their quest to oust the prime minister.

Speaking to PNG HAUSBUNG this morning, the Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa, made it clear that once the parliament resumes on Tuesday 8th April at 10AM in the morning, the process will continue from where they left off last year.

“As soon it’s (VONC motion) put on paper, the process begins, but it all comes down to the nominee. If the nominee wants to continue, then the game is on,” said the Opposition Leader.

The nominee in this matter is the Governor for Enga, Sir Peter Ipatas, who accepted to be the alternative prime minister nominee for the Opposition last year when the Opposition moved the motion. He was the other nominee following the departure of the initial nominee, Raindo Paita, who returned to the Government earlier.

“If the nominee decides to withdraw for some technical reason, then it comes down to re- planning and reorganizing the Opposition again.”

Mr. Tomuriesa acknowledged that the Opposition does not have the numbers but is hoping that fellow college MPs on the other side put their people and the country first and cross the floor to join the Opposition to make a positive change, a change which the Leader said is in everyone’s best interest.

“So, Papua New Guinea is crying for a new government. If you want a new government, talk to your MPs, talk to your leaders. This cannot be done by the Opposition alone.”

Meanwhile, the recall of parliament was ordered by the Supreme Court of Justice in Port Moresby after it found that the decision by the Private Business Committee to reject the motion of a no confidence on the notice paper was unconstitutional and in breach of Section 111 of the Constitution.

The Court confirmed that the Speaker of Parliament did not follow the standing order when rejecting the motion on the 27th of November 2024.