PNG Constitution and Vote of No Confidence: Section 145
In Papua New Guinea, the vote of no confidence and the motion of no confidence are crucial tools for elected representatives to ensure that the government represents the interests of the people. This article aims to explain the significance of these mechanisms, how they work, and why they are essential for Papua New Guinea's democracy. By understanding these processes, readers can gain a deeper understanding of Papua New Guinea's political system and the importance of holding elected officials accountable.
A vote of no confidence, also known as a motion of no
confidence, is a crucial mechanism used to remove the Prime Minister or any
other minister from power. This constitutional provision is outlined in Section
145 of the PNG Constitution, which states that "The Prime Minister shall
be elected by members of the Parliament from among their number, and shall hold
office during the pleasure of Parliament."
However, if members of Parliament are dissatisfied with the
Prime Minister's performance, they can pass a vote of no confidence, which
effectively removes the Prime Minister from office. This provision is a crucial
part of Papua New Guinea's parliamentary system, as it provides a mechanism for
elected representatives to hold the government accountable and ensure that the
interests of the people are protected.
A vote of no confidence is typically initiated by a member
of Parliament who proposes a motion, which is then debated and voted on by the
entire Parliament. The motion must be supported by a minimum of one-third of
the total number of members of Parliament to proceed to a vote. Once the motion
is passed, the Prime Minister and his or her cabinet are required to resign,
and a new Prime Minister must be elected within a specified period.
The reasons for initiating a vote of no confidence can vary,
but they are typically related to issues such as corruption, mismanagement, or
failure to deliver on promises. When a Prime Minister loses the support of the
majority of the Parliament, it is an indication that the people have lost
confidence in the government's ability to serve their interests.
On the other hand, a motion of no confidence is initiated by
the opposition in the Parliament to remove the current government, instead of
only the Prime Minister. It requires the support of a majority of members of
Parliament to succeed. This means that the opposition must convince members
from the government's own party or coalition to support the motion.
A motion of no confidence is often used as a last resort
when the opposition feels that the government is not representing the interests
of the people or when they believe that the government has lost its mandate to
govern. When a motion of no confidence succeeds, the current government must
resign, and a new government must be formed.
There have been several instances of votes of no confidence
in Papua New Guinea's history. Some of the notable ones include:
1980: The first vote of no confidence in PNG's history was
held against Prime Minister Michael Somare. It was initiated by opposition
leader Sir Julius Chan, who accused Somare's government of mismanaging the
country's finances. The motion failed to get the required number of votes, and
Somare remained in power.
1982: The second vote of no confidence was initiated by the
opposition against Prime Minister Somare. This time, the opposition accused
Somare's government of being too friendly with foreign companies and not doing
enough for the local people. The motion succeeded, and Somare was replaced by
Paias Wingti.
1985: The third vote of no confidence was initiated against
Prime Minister Paias Wingti. The opposition accused his government of
corruption and mismanagement of the country's finances. The motion failed to
get the required number of votes, and Wingti remained in power.
1997: The fourth vote of no confidence was initiated against
Prime Minister Bill Skate. The opposition accused Skate's government of
corruption and mismanagement. The motion succeeded, and Skate was replaced by
Sir Mekere Morauta.
2011: The fifth vote of no confidence was initiated against
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. The opposition accused his government of
corruption and failing to implement reforms. However, before the vote could be
held, Somare was declared incapacitated, and Peter O'Neill became the Prime
Minister
In conclusion, the vote of no confidence and the motion of
no confidence are important mechanisms in Papua New Guinea's parliamentary
system. They allow elected representatives to hold the government accountable
and ensure that the interests of the people are protected. While the vote of no
confidence is used to remove the Prime Minister, the motion of no confidence is
used to remove the entire government. Both mechanisms provide an opportunity
for the people's representatives to exercise their power and ensure that their
interests are served.
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