Vanuatu Opposition

More MPs defect to opposition ahead of leadership challenge in Vanuatu

An extraordinary parliament sitting was called on Monday to debate a vote of no-confidence in the recently installed Prime Minister, Sato Kilman.

On the opposition side 26 MPs turned up but only two government MPs showed face; Vanua'aku Party MP for Malekula, Esmon Sae, and his counterpart from Malo constituency, Wesley Rasu.

The other 22 MPs loyal to government boycotted the session forcing an adjournment until Friday due to the lack of a quorum.

Kilman losing support

Vanuatu Opposition lodges complaint over mysterious superyacht release

The yacht was arrested after illegally entering Vanuatu waters near the island of Maewo in the northern part of the country.

Bold was directed by maritime police to sail to Port Vila for the captain to answer before the court, but it was suddenly released.

RNZ Pacific correspondent believes this was on the orders of the Deputy Prime Minister, Ishmael Kalsakau, after the owner had paid a fine of 10 million vatu or $US87,600 dollars.

Vanuatu Opposition calls on govt to speed up vaccine introduction

This comes as Vanuatu's Speaker of Parliament called the House to meet next month for its first extra-ordinary session of the year

The Opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu raised concern that the government hadn't put the introduction of a Covid-19 vaccine for approval in Vanuatu on the session's agenda.

Regenvanu said countries in the Pacific had their vaccine but not Vanuatu, and that Prime Minister Bob Loughman should stop delaying.

Under Parliament Standing Orders, the House could only debate an agenda cited in the calling document.

Vanuatu opposition calls for engagement with New Caledonia loyalists

New Caledonia last week narrowly rejected independence from France, but a third referendum is likely in 2022.

Ralph Regenvanu, who is a staunch advocate for decolonisation in the region, says New Caledonia is Vanuatu's closest neighbour and home to the largest group of ni-Vanuatu abroad.

He says New Caledonia's independence is the goal of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, for which it was set up.

"We also need to convince the anti-independence lobby that New Caledonia can be a viable state in the Pacific like the other states in the Pacific," he said.

Vanuatu Opposition asks where stimulus payments are

RNZ Pacific understands the Employment Stabilisation Payment to workers and the SME Stimulus Payment for July and August are yet to be paid.

Many businesses were reportedly preparing to lay off more workers in the wake of the downturn caused by Covid-19.

The Leader of the Opposition, Ralph Regenvanu, said the delays in the payments were defeating their purpose.

He said the delay could not be attributed to the case of the government not having the money.

Vanuatu Opposition claim police bias in govt investigation

Police are currently investigating an allegedly unlawful contract issued by the Minister of Public Utilities, Jay Ngwele.

Regenvanu asked the acting police commissioner to explain why his staff were reportedly working with private investigators who were close friends of Ngwele.

Regenvanu claimed the investigations were "biased".

He also queried aspects of the investigation into the alleged contract which concerned the tarsealing of a road in Paray area in the captial of Port Vila.

Torres MP moves to Vanuatu Opposition

Emelee, who is the single MP from the Vanuatu National Development Party, tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Bob Loughman last week.

He said he could no longer accept watching the government unravel without Loughman's office holding anyone accountable for allegations of public misconduct, misappropriation, and insubordination.

In July the Torres MP was removed by the prime minister from the Parliamentary Accounts Committee, only a couple of weeks after being nominated by Loughman himself.

Vanuatu Opposition taking suspension to court

On Tuesday night parliament voted to suspend the 22 opposition MPs for two sittings, over its boycott of the first sitting last week.

Opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu said the vote by the government members was an outrage.

He said the first sitting had been boycotted many times in the past.

"Boycotting the first sitting of a session is a parliamentary practice in Vanuatu that has been going for 40 years.

Vanuatu Opposition boycotts parliament over COVID-19 breach

It was revealed that Climate Change Minister Bruno Leingkon entered a quarantine area, but still showed up at Parliament today without isolating himself.

The opposition opted to boycott the sitting over concerns surrounding Mr Leingkon's actions.

Opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu said Mr Leingkon had threatened the health of members of parliament and its staff.

Fellow opposition member, Pentecost MP Charlot Salwai, said it was unfair that the minister had not followed rules that other ni-Vanuatu had been adhering too.

Ralph Regenvanu to lead Vanuatu opposition bloc

According to our correspondent in Vanuatu, Mr Regenvanu was nominated in a meeting on Wednesday by the 22 MPs in the opposition bloc.

Former prime minister Charlot Salwai has been chosen to be his deputy.

Mr Salwai nominated Mr Regenvanu as the opposition's candidate for prime minister in parliament on Monday.

He lost to the newly elected prime minister and president of the Vanuaku Party, Bob Loughman 31 votes to 21.