Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities Christopher Emelee said the Government has not violated the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu.
He made the comment after the Supreme Court dismissed the Opposition’s case challenging the appointments of Parliamentary Secretaries (PS).
Mr. Emelee said the Government has remained silent over a long period of time putting its trust in the justice system and today the justice system has ruled that the Government has not breached the Constitution by the appointments of PS.
He said the court ruling is great news for the current coalition Government.
“We are happy because once again the Court of Law has upheld our democracy ruling that the rule of law applies to all and does not necessarily favour for the so called victims who made invective comments towards the Government’s action,” he said.
He said the Opposition Members, who played a key role in the establishment of the Parliament Secretaries including those who were PS’s themselves and those who signed the famous MOU at Pele in 2016 should now feel reassured that it does not violate the Constitution.
“The Government solely intended to legitimize the appointments but this however is no longer needed as the appointments were recently deemed legitimate and legal. The Government is also unanimously calling on the Opposition to stop doing politics and campaigning with the Court of Justice and start working in Parliament for the people of Vanuatu,” he said.
Early this week, Justice Dudley Aru struck out the case on the ground that the appointment of the Parliamentary Secretaries did not violate the constitution.
Photo supplied. Caption: Acting Prime Minister Christopher Emelee