Papua New Guinea Supreme Court orders recall of parliament to debate no confidence vote

Nicole D'Souza | U. Auckland Law School, NZ

April 2, 2025 05:05:43 am

The Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea has ordered a recall of parliament on April 8, to debate a motion of no confidence. The court decided on Monday that parliament’s rejection of an earlier motion of no-confidence against the prime minister was unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court ruled that the parliamentary Private Business Committee’s decision to reject the motion of no confidence, acted on by Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan on November 27, 2024, was unconstitutional and breached Section 111 of the Constitution of Papua New Guinea, permitting MPs to introduce new bills and motions.

Iguan, as the acting Speaker, invoked Standing Order 165 in disallowing the motion filed by Chauve MP and Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomane. Standing Order 165 allows the Speaker to “disallow any motion or amendment that is the same in substance as any question that, during the previous 12 months, has been resolved.” Filing an application in the Supreme Court under section 18(1) of the Constitution, Nomane sought to determine whether the Committee and Iguan’s November decision was constitutional.

In his public statement, Prime Minister Marape, in response to the Supreme Court decision, stated, “Our government have consulted our coalition partners as well as the rank and file of Pangu Pati; they are all in total support that we respect the Supreme Court.” Reaffirming that his government is committed to upholding the rule of law, he stated, “I just want to tell our country we respect the court decision. We will comply with the court decision.” Marape confirmed that the “Speaker will advise the country that Parliament is recalled based on the court order, and Parliament will sit on the 8th as directed by the court.”

On September 12, 2024, the parliament rejected a vote of no confidence in the prime minister with 75 votes in favor and 32 against. The present court ruling affirms that the September ruling does not prohibit subsequent motions. 

Chuave MP James Nomane Resigns From Government, Calls For PM Marape's Immediate Resignation Amidst City Unrest

In a significant development, Chuave MP James Nomane, also serving as the Vice Minister of National Planning, has resigned from the government and is now fervently calling for the resignation of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape. This demand follows a wave of widespread unrest, violent killings, and the burning and looting of businesses in the capital city of Port Moresby.

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Nomane explicitly places blame on Prime Minister Marape, accusing him of indecisive actions that have fueled the escalating chaos in Port Moresby. The city is currently experiencing unprecedented turmoil, and Nomane squarely attributes responsibility to the Prime Minister.

In a viral video post, Nomane delivers a direct message, stating, "No blame games, no excuses—the bug stops with the Prime Minister. He must resign." Nomane holds Marape accountable for the economic downturn, failures in health and education, and what he terms as the alarming descent of the country into a "banana republic."

Advocating for a change in leadership, MP Nomane calls upon all Members of Parliament to unite and spearhead a comprehensive government overhaul. He asserts that the current administration is neglecting the well-being of the people and emphasizes the urgent need for a new direction.

Nomane goes beyond Marape, singling out Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey and demanding his immediate resignation for spreading falsehoods and misleading the public. The call for accountability extends further to Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili, accused of neglecting the pay and conditions of PNG police and eroding the standards of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

The turmoil in Port Moresby, marked by burning buildings, ransacked shops, and widespread looting, is seen by Nomane as a manifestation of the frustrations felt by the people. In his impassioned plea, he implores fellow MPs not to remain complacent in their comfort zones but to actively address the concerns of the citizens and prioritize the nation's welfare.

As the city continues to witness unrest and citizens suffer, the reverberations of the call for Prime Minister Marape's resignation resonate loudly, underscoring the urgent need for a change in leadership to reclaim the country, its economy, and the well-being of its people. The situation remains tense as authorities grapple with the fallout from the unrest in Port Moresby.

Source:

PNG Facts