Prime Minister James Marape, left, defeated the no-confidence vote on Tuesday. Sir Peter Ipatas, right, says he had accepted the opposition's nomination because he wanted to answer the people's call for change. Photo: RNZ / PNG Parliament
The man who lost Tuesday's vote of no confidence in Papua New Guinea is calling on Prime Minister James Marape to make tough decisions in the time remaining before the 2027 elections.
Sir Peter Ipatas was the latest to unsuccessfully challenge Marape, losing by 89 votes to 16.
NBC reports Sir Peter saying he had accepted the opposition's nomination because he wanted to answer the people's call for change.
He said accepting the nomination wasn't easy but he did it in the best interests of the country.
Sir Peter reminded Marape that he had had six years in power and the people want to see tough action taken to solve the issues confronting the nation.
He called on ministers and coalition partners to give the Prime Minister the opportunity to solve these issues, telling MPs not to constantly put him under pressure over discretionary funding.
Under legislation passed earlier this year, no further vote of no confidence in Mr Marape can happen within 18 months.
With the election just two years away that effectiively means Marape will not face any such threat.
However, there is a possibility that the amendment could be challenged because of concerns that the no confidence rules provide PNG citizens with an opportunity to ease tensions in the country, from time to time.
Meanwhile, the Marape government is seek the Supreme Court's interpretation on key constitutional matters regarding the separation of powers.
This comes after the Court ordered parliament to hold a special sitting to hear the vote of no confidence motion.
NBC reports the motion aims to address ongoing questions surrounding the powers of the judiciary and the internal workings of parliament.
The proposed questions to the Supreme Court include:
- The powers of the Supreme Court to recall Parliament under Sections 124 and 11 of the Constitution and the Organic Law on the Calling of Meetings of Parliament.
- The principles of separation of powers, non-justiciability of parliamentary proceedings, and parliamentary privilege under Sections 99, 134, and 115.
- The procedures and standing orders surrounding a Vote of No Confidence under Sections 145, 133, and 111.
Any other related constitutional issues.
Marape had earlier indicated that, if he survived the no confidence vote, his government would pursue legal clarification on the boundaries of judicial intervention in parliamentary matters.
