Motion of no confidence filed against Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele

The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Notice of a motion of no confidence in Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele was registered with the Speaker of the House today.

The clerk of parliament, Jefferson Hallu, confirmed Central Honiara MP Gordon Darcy Lilo submitted the motion this afternoon.

Parliament adjourned this morning due to a lack of a quorum after only sixteen out of 49 MPs attended.

A source within government says several cabinet ministers have deserted the Prime Minister and are in talks with the Opposition.

The deputy prime minister and minister for mines, Bradley Tovosia voluntarily resigned today, according to the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

In a statement the office said Tovosia's decision followed a meeting of the coalition government today.

"Coalition partners unanimously resolved that the national interest must come first and the deputy prime minister's resignation was made in accordance with this collective decision," the statement said.

Tovosia remains the elected MP for East Guadalcanal and his pledged his full support to the government and its leadership.

The motion will mature next Monday and be available to be moved in parliament from Tuesday May 6th.

"There is no rule that specifies when a motion of no confidence must be moved, but sooner rather than later has been the usual practice," Hallu said.

"We expect it to be moved on the floor of parliament the middle of next week."

Lilo also moved a no-confidence vote in the Prime Minister last December, but withdrew it on the floor of parliament due to a lack of support.

Speaking on the floor at the time, Lilo, himself a former prime minister, accused government MPs of retracting their support for the motion.

"This motion should be [for] the other side of the bench," he said.

"And since those that have decided to propose this motion have retracted and had left their support in that way, I can only say to you, please [make more of an] effort to hold yourselves together," he added.