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.