Solomon Star News
3rd January 2011
PM happy to continue as is
PRIME Minister Danny Philip has decided to hold the country in suspense until the March sitting of Parliament.
This was despite the Government and Opposition having locked at 24/24 in their numerical strength.
Two of the 50 members of Parliament, Toswell Kaua of Baegu Asifola and Steve Laore of Shortlands were not counted after they died last year.
Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Andrew Muaki said Prime Minister Danny Philip decided to call Parliament in March because it was his constitutional right.
"The PM does not want to call Parliament early because the Government is still functioning and not in a political or constitutional crisis," he said.
"The four vacant ministries have already been filled up by acting ministers.
"Minister for Environment John Moffat Fugui is acting minister for fisheries, Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga is acting minister for Provincial Government, Prime Minister Danny Philip is acting minister for public service and Minister for Tourism Samuel Manetoali is acting minister for police," Mr Muaki said.
"The acting ministers have the same powers as the ministers.
"All their names have been gazetted already," he said.
The four acting ministers were appointed after Douglas Ete resigned as minister for public service, Bodo Dettke for minister for fisheries, Stanley Sofu for minister for public service and James Tora for minister for police.
Former Minister for Provincial Government, Bradley Tovosia replaced Ete as Minister for Forestry.
Mr Muaki explained that in cases of motions of no confidence if the Government and Opposition was tied, the motion was defeated.
"This is what happened in the past when Paul Tovua was the speaker of parliament," he said.
When asked for further clarification, Mr Muaki did not elaborate on it.
Solomon Star understands the Government wants to table the budget and three other bills.
The bills include an amendment to the Customs and Excise Act, an amendment to the Land and Titles Act as well as a Bill to establish the National Bureau for Social and Economic Reform.
3rd January 2011
PM happy to continue as is
PRIME Minister Danny Philip has decided to hold the country in suspense until the March sitting of Parliament.
This was despite the Government and Opposition having locked at 24/24 in their numerical strength.
Two of the 50 members of Parliament, Toswell Kaua of Baegu Asifola and Steve Laore of Shortlands were not counted after they died last year.
Special Secretary to Prime Minister, Andrew Muaki said Prime Minister Danny Philip decided to call Parliament in March because it was his constitutional right.
"The PM does not want to call Parliament early because the Government is still functioning and not in a political or constitutional crisis," he said.
"The four vacant ministries have already been filled up by acting ministers.
"Minister for Environment John Moffat Fugui is acting minister for fisheries, Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga is acting minister for Provincial Government, Prime Minister Danny Philip is acting minister for public service and Minister for Tourism Samuel Manetoali is acting minister for police," Mr Muaki said.
"The acting ministers have the same powers as the ministers.
"All their names have been gazetted already," he said.
The four acting ministers were appointed after Douglas Ete resigned as minister for public service, Bodo Dettke for minister for fisheries, Stanley Sofu for minister for public service and James Tora for minister for police.
Former Minister for Provincial Government, Bradley Tovosia replaced Ete as Minister for Forestry.
Mr Muaki explained that in cases of motions of no confidence if the Government and Opposition was tied, the motion was defeated.
"This is what happened in the past when Paul Tovua was the speaker of parliament," he said.
When asked for further clarification, Mr Muaki did not elaborate on it.
Solomon Star understands the Government wants to table the budget and three other bills.
The bills include an amendment to the Customs and Excise Act, an amendment to the Land and Titles Act as well as a Bill to establish the National Bureau for Social and Economic Reform.
The National Bureau for Social and Economic Reform is a policy delivery vehicle for the National Coalition for Reform and Advancement Government.
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