Manele suggests reforms to processes on moving motions of no confidence

By Fredrick Kusu

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele made suggestions to undertake reforms to the processes on moving motions of no confidence in parliament.

This comes after the withdrawal of two motions of no confidence against his Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) within a year in office with the second one just a week ago.

Manele told parliament on Monday that while he supported the individual right of each member of parliament to move a motion of no confidence, the collective rights of the house to respond to that motion must also be considered as long as it matures.

He explained a motion of no confidence is an integral part of representative democracy and exists because it serves to protect the democratic principles of majority rule.

He said there must be a balance between the right to move a motion and protect parliamentary processes from being abused.

“Most importantly, political stability must be intentionally aided because it is a necessary prerequisite for development.

He said reforms and amendments are also needed to strengthen the country’s political party system.

“I will bring a paper to the cabinet to appoint a task force to do these reforms.

“I understand this reform is not new. It has been around for sometimes and it was even brought to parliament in 2010 but was withdrawn on the floor.

“It is time that we re-visit these reforms,” Manele said.

Since in office after the 2024 joint election, two motions of no confidence have been put on notice against GNUT.

Both filed by the Member of Parliament for Central Honiara Gordon Darcy Lilo, these motions were later withdrawn in parliament.

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