Opposition

The President, Nikenike Vurobaravu, made the decision last week on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

Leader of the opposition, Ralph Regenvanu said, in their submission they are challenging the dissolution when the motion had already been accepted by the Speaker of Parliament.

President Vurobaravu dissolved parliament on 18th August following the government decision on 12th August.

The motion was deposited on 8th and declared to be in order by the Speaker on 9th August.

The hearing is today.

Photo file 

Regenvanu said the majority is now with the Opposition reports the Daily Post.

In Parliament, this morning there were 27 signatories of the motion and former minister of agriculture, Daniel Willie Kao.

Loughman, who was elected in April 2020, is facing a motion of no confidence in his leadership with the Opposition group, claiming to have the support of 29 MPs in the 52 seat parliament.

The first agenda was to re-instate the Member of Parliament for Malekula, Gracia Shadrack so that he can vote for the motion.

Shadrack was suspended last year.

In a statement Ralph Regenvanu called for Prime Minister, Bob Loughman, his deputy, Ishmael Kalsakau, and MP Tony Iauko, to be investigated for their role in causing the coronavirus outbreak.

Regenvanu made several claims against the three men, including Loughman's decision to lift a travel ban on incoming flights last month - that he claims was specifically to allow Mr Kalsakau to return to Port Vila.

He alleged Iauko breached Covid-19 protocols by entering and exiting the quarantine facilities, unlawfully "to socialise".

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.

This week the court dismissed claims the appointments violated the constitution despite the Opposition arguing they were not provided for under the constitution or law, yet were being paid out of public funds.

Opposition Leader Ishmael Kalsakau said the issue needs to be resolved urgently as it may affect the next session of parliament on 7 June.

Mr Kalsakau said while he respects the justice system, if the judgment is allowed to stand then it represents a very bad law as it removes the supremacy of Parliament and renders it subservient to the Government.

The court ruled the Prime Minister has the powers to appoint Parliamentary Secretaries under the Constitution.

Opposition Leader, Ishmael Kalsakau and Opposition MPs filed a constitutional case last month challenging the validity of the PS positions, saying they have no legal basis and have wasted millions of public monies.

Outside the courthouse on Monday, Kalsakau said his lawyer will go through the judgement before they decide what further action they would take.

“We will read the judgment before we go to the Court of Appeal.”

Judge Dudley Aru ruled that the motion is in order and will be heard on 4 December.

He said the court could not interfere with parliamentary matters unless required to do so.

The Daily Post newspaper reported that politicians and their supporters who packed the court room spilled out with smiling faces after the ruling.

The Leader of Opposition Ishmael Kalsakau welcomed the ruling and said the case should not have dragged on this far.

The LPV announced its decision after lengthy consultations with party colleagues and constituents.

Napat said he and his colleagues also met with the Prime Minister to learn why he and former Minister Matai Seremaiah were terminated from their positions.

‘We met with the prime minister for over an hour and he expressed his regret over our terminations”, Napat said.

“The PM told us it was not his choice or wish to terminate us yet some members of his government felt it was in their interests to do so in order to try to hold their seats in 2020.

Ishmael Kalsakau told the Daily Post the opposition has a total of sixteen MPs, following the defection of the Leaders Party from the coalition government amid a cabinet reshuffle.

However, Mr Salwai still holds a clear majority in the 52-seat parliament.

Mr Kalsakau again responded to reports of an imminent motion by saying the opposition would only table one when it has the numbers to pass it.

Last week, Mr Kalsakau told RNZ Pacific he was working to develop a perfect team.

The government of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is facing a vote of no confidence in parliament next week, after a series of defections from the government.

Mr Sogavare on Thursday announced moves to consolidate his coalition government, announcing eight new ministers.

But in a statement, the opposition group said that consolidation had included attempts at bribery.

It accuses the forestry minister Bradley Tovosia of trying to bribe MP Alfred Ghiro with cash and the fisheries portfolio, which he rejected.