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ONE single message from the Chamber of Parliament in Waigani in the nation’s capital rang loud and clear and throughout the length and breadth of the country .
The message was: if there is any singular business in the Big House that genuinely concerns the seven million people of PNG and the development, growth and prosperity of the country, bipartisan politics and self-interest must be discarded for the national good.
And this is what happened On Tuesday with respect to two vital Parliament business: successful passage of the K13 billion 2013 budget; and the first reading of the Bill Prime Minister Peter O’Neill introduced earlier for the extension of the grace period for votes of no confidence from 18 months to 30 months.
ONE single message from the Chamber of Parliament in Waigani in the nation’s capital rang loud and clear and throughout the length and breadth of the country .
The message was: if there is any singular business in the Big House that genuinely concerns the seven million people of PNG and the development, growth and prosperity of the country, bipartisan politics and self-interest must be discarded for the national good.
And this is what happened On Tuesday with respect to two vital Parliament business: successful passage of the K13 billion 2013 budget; and the first reading of the Bill Prime Minister Peter O’Neill introduced earlier for the extension of the grace period for votes of no confidence from 18 months to 30 months.
Opposition leader Belden Namah, who pledged to “oppose, expose and depose”
the O’Neil-Dion Government when he became leader of the alternative
Government in August, put politics aside on this important occasion and
together with his Opposition members, threw their support for the House to
unanimously pass the budget.
Mr Namah delegated to his Shadow Treasurer Joe Lelang for the Opposition’s Budget Reply, saying he supported the budget because its thrust is to move resources away from Waigani to the local level governments, districts and the provinces.
Mr Lelang, after picking holes in the 3013 money plan, concluded: “Nevertheless, we support the general thrust of the budget to support our rural population, but we also request that more effort is given to improve the capacity in the districts as well. Otherwise such rural initiatives will be slow to take effect or not turn out the way we desire.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise for many Papua New Guineans is the fact that the Government and Opposition stood united by giving unanimous support to vote 102-nil for the first reading to extend the grace period for votes of no confidence from 18 months to 30 months.
Mr Namah delegated to his Shadow Treasurer Joe Lelang for the Opposition’s Budget Reply, saying he supported the budget because its thrust is to move resources away from Waigani to the local level governments, districts and the provinces.
Mr Lelang, after picking holes in the 3013 money plan, concluded: “Nevertheless, we support the general thrust of the budget to support our rural population, but we also request that more effort is given to improve the capacity in the districts as well. Otherwise such rural initiatives will be slow to take effect or not turn out the way we desire.”
Perhaps the biggest surprise for many Papua New Guineans is the fact that the Government and Opposition stood united by giving unanimous support to vote 102-nil for the first reading to extend the grace period for votes of no confidence from 18 months to 30 months.
PM O’Neill said: “Constant shifting of loyalties on the floor Parliament
meant that governments were planning for survival rather than implementing
policies to bring real change for our people. Opposition leader Namah
agreed. He said: “How can one Prime Minister or one Government be measured
in 18 months? Today I’m in Opposition but tomorrow I may be in Government.
It’s high time we made amendments to suit our time. It’s not about politics
any more. We must take our people at heart.”
Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti – he won as PM and lost his post through no confidence votes – made the biggest impact and no doubt swayed many doubting Thomases to support the extension Bill.
He said: “I support the Bill because the country depends on political stability. If we have stability and the Government, the Prime Minister and his Executive Government are stable, they are able to better manage the affairs of the nation.
“We will support this Bill today because it is so important that the Government run our young country with confidence and is able to plan long-term for the country.”
It’s been a hectic Budget Session of Parliament for our leaders and PM O’Neill left on Wednessday for Australia on another hectic program Down Under to promote our country. The PM must be feeling very confident as he departs our shores, knowing that he has the full support of Parliament. He will tell Australia, with confidence, that PNG has made a good start to a better future ahead.
Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti – he won as PM and lost his post through no confidence votes – made the biggest impact and no doubt swayed many doubting Thomases to support the extension Bill.
He said: “I support the Bill because the country depends on political stability. If we have stability and the Government, the Prime Minister and his Executive Government are stable, they are able to better manage the affairs of the nation.
“We will support this Bill today because it is so important that the Government run our young country with confidence and is able to plan long-term for the country.”
It’s been a hectic Budget Session of Parliament for our leaders and PM O’Neill left on Wednessday for Australia on another hectic program Down Under to promote our country. The PM must be feeling very confident as he departs our shores, knowing that he has the full support of Parliament. He will tell Australia, with confidence, that PNG has made a good start to a better future ahead.
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