“We had a full Cabinet today for our National Executive Council meeting and our government business for the two weeks of Parliament starting next Tuesday have been cleared,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
“We are not deterred by any conversations on a vote-of-no-confidence despite all the hype.
“If a vote-of-no-confidence is put up, the Parliament process will deal with it.
“The title or position of prime minister is not my birthright, as I have said many times. If there’s anyone else out there who is better than me, then they can take over. I’m only doing my part in the time that I am here.
“Pangu Pati has support with 59 MPs as of today and another to join and bring this up to 60. Coalition numbers are intact. We won 39 seats at the 2022 elections, which is a record number as far as the history of our elections is concerned. Our numbers are intact and secure as we go into this sitting of Parliament.”
Prime Minister Marape welcomed any challenges from the Opposition or other opposing parties outside of Parliament, emphasising their right to hold the Government accountable as part of the democratic process and freedom of expression.
Prime Minister Marape reiterated earlier statements, saying: “I will present a full report of what this Government has done under my leadership since taking office in May 2019. I will table this report on May 30, 2024, during the Parliament session.”
Addressing the vote-of-no-confidence motion proposed by the Opposition, Prime Minister Marape advised: “My advice to the Opposition is not to repeat the same mistakes from the February sitting of Parliament when the last vote-of-no-confidence motion was filed.
“They brought in a motion with defects on it.
“If they are filing a motion, it must be filed in accordance with the legal and technical requirements.
“These include correct signatures and designations of MPs involved. These are elementary and primary matters but they seem to get it wrong. Since our country’s Independence in 1975, vote-of-no-confidence procedures have been in place and are entertained if done in the proper way.”
Prime Minister Marape added: “This Government under my watch will not avoid any of the challenges from those in the Opposition benches.
“But they must comply with all laws to do with vote-of-no-confidence.
“We’re not ignorant to the requirements of law.
“In fact, be reminded that there are a couple of MPs on that side now who crossed the floor of Parliament and broke laws in 2011, with the intention of forming a new Government.
“In 2024, due process is complied with. I welcome scrutiny and attempts of vote-of-no-confidence, but please follow due process.”
Prime Minister Marape announced that Constitutional Bills the Government will bring to this Parliament sitting include the Declaration of PNG as a Christian country (second and final readings), PNG’s Court Structure Amendments, and Proposed Amendments on vote-of-no-confidence filing attempts and the grace period for Government following an unsuccessful vote-of-no-confidence.
“The National Gold Corporation Bill 2024 will not be brought to Parliament in this sitting but we will allow for further consultations, without removing the goal post of establishing a gold refinery in PNG,” he said.
“The Opposition voted against declaring PNG a Christian country in the first reading in the last sitting of Parliament. I urge them to rethink and support this Bill for the good of the country. Other important bills will also be tabled.”
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