Vanuatu Parliament

 The motion was signed in the presence of the Clerk of Parliament, Raymond Manuake, in accordance with the new Parliament Standing Orders.

 These 27 MPs are representatives from different groupings in Parliament. Daily Post was informed the MPs are from all groupings in Parliament: the two parties in the Opposition, Reunification of Movement of Change (RMC), Vanua’aku Pati (VP), Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) and G10 bloc.

If registered by the Parliament, the Motion of No Trust in Prime Minister Loughman will be the first one to be deposited this year.

The changes included increasing the number of Government Ministries from 13 to 17 and increasing domestic as well as international allowances.

The Daily Post newspaper said the Parliament sitting last Friday was "short-lived" after only 31 MPs out of 52 MPs were present.

The opposition side of the House including former Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai's faction boycotted the special sitting.

Before the sitting, opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu had appealed to MPs on the Government side of the House to join his group to boycott the sitting.

Five judges heard the appeal on Monday which was centered around the word "absence".

The urgent application appeals the decision of the Supreme Court on the election petition of 19 Members of Parliament including Prime Minister Bob Loughman and Deputy Prime Minister, Ishmael Kalsakau.

The 19 MPs had challenged Shadrack's actions in his capacity as the Speaker, claiming only the Supreme Court has the right to declare the seat of a member of parliament vacant, not the Speaker.

Seule cautioned that cameras or mobile phones would be confiscated if anyone is caught capturing photos.

He has also advised the police to remove anyone who gets caught, out from the public gallery, he further warned.

Standing Order provisions have clearly outline rules for “visitors”.

It states, “While Parliament or the Committee of the Whole Parliament is sitting, visitors must no take photographs, videos or sound recordings, or use mobile phones inside the Parliamentary Chamber.”

dismiss an appeal by the 19 MPs.

On 8th June the speaker at the time, Gracia Shadrack, declared that 19 seats, held by government MPs, were vacant, because the MPs had been absent from parliament for three consecutive days.

This was later upheld by the Supreme Court.

But the MPs affected claim that Supreme Court Judge, Oliver Saksak, erred by dismissing their constitutional application.

The MPs had contended that only the Supreme Court itself could declare seats vacant and had not done so.

Justice Oliver Saksak delivered his ruling this afternoon.

The Government members who lose their seats as a result of the ruling are Prime Minister Bob Loughman, Deputy Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, Marc Muelsul, Joshua Pikioune, Nakou Natuman, Samson Samsen, Edward Nalyal, Silas Bule, Mark Ati, Seule Simoen, Lenkon Bruno, Willia Pakoa, Willie Daniel, James Bule, Jay Ngwele, Johnny Koanapo, Anthony Harry, Xavier Harry and Edmund Julun.

Shadrach told parliament the adjournment is because of cases pending in the Supreme Court.

This morning 19 government MPs returned after their seats had earlier been declared vacant by the speaker due to their absense on three consecutive days.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered parliament to resume today, and placed a stay on the speaker's declaration.

The court's stay order also prevents the government from tabling a motion to remove the speaker.

The next step in the legal process is for a lawyers' conference on the stay orders on Monday.

This after a Supreme Court stay on a ruling by Speaker, Gracia Shadrack, who declared the seats of 19 government MPs, including Prime Minister Bob Loughmann, were vacant.

Shadrack took this action after the government boycotted parliament and missed three consecutive sitting days.

That decision is to be ruled on by the Supreme Court but not before Monday when lawyers from both sides are to hold a conference on the issue.

An agreement has been reached for parliament to resume on Friday.

The Bill considers matters regarding the operations of Parliament, its committees, and the duties and responsibilities of MPs.

The consultation was conducted for Vanuatu MPs to consider proposals on the improvements in the separation and balance of power between the state institutions, improving the financial powers of the Parliament and creating a parliamentary staff cadre.

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Japan - The Government of Japan support the Parliament Bill consultation with MPs.

Photo UNDP Pacific      

Parliament passed the Bill for the National Payment System which will pave the way for this transition.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Management, Johnny Koanapo tabled the Bill saying it would enable the transition from a manual to an electronic system to settle payments.

Apart from raising concerns about bank fees imposed on clients by banks, there was bipartisan support from both sides of Parliament towards the Bill.

The National Payment System will be operated by the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu.