Papua New Guinea Parliament has passed a law requiring an 18-month grace period after a motion of no confidence fails in Parliament before a subsequent motion can be moved.
This followed the passing of an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution in Parliament.
The first amendment passed in 1991 was for the grace period of six months to be extended to 18 months.
According to the Justice Minister and Attorney-General Pila Niningi, who brought the bill to Parliament, “the new amendment means that when the motion of no confidence against the prime minister is unsuccessful, a subsequent motion of no confidence in the prime minister shall not be moved for a period of 18 months commencing on the date that the motion of no confidence is unsuccessful”.
The amendment bill received the support of 81 MPs. Four voted against it. Niningi thanked everyone for the support saying the new law aimed to provide stability and give assurance to investors.
Marape said last year: “We must not waste any more time. We have squandered months to politicking – precious time which we could have invested in bettering the lives of our people.
“The motion of no confidence, unfortunately, has become the recurring theme of every government since Independence. I have pointed out these unnecessary disruptions a number of times in the past.
