Parliament convened yesterday and voted to suspend Standing Order 18, thereby extending the second extraordinary session by an additional two hours. After a brief adjournment on Wednesday, the session resumed today with a strong focus on reviewing crucial legislation.
The motion to suspend the standing order was introduced by the Leader of Government Business and Member of Parliament for Pentecost, Charlot Salwai, following a request from the Leader of the Opposition, Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau. The need for this extension arose due to concerns from Kalsakau regarding ample time for Members of Parliament to review the new bills in detail, as some MPs had only recently received important documents due to technical difficulties with parliamentary iPads.
The motion was overwhelmingly supported, passing with 47 votes in favor. Speaker of Parliament, Stephen Felix, noted the absence of objections to the extension and subsequently adjourned proceedings to this morning.
During this extraordinary session, a total of 19 bills are slated for consideration, including significant pieces of legislation like the Cocoa Act, the Energy Efficiency of Electrical Appliances Bill, and the Industrial Hemp and Medical Cannabis Bill, among others. Such a diverse agenda illustrates the government’s commitment to addressing various social and economic pressing issues.
Additionally, the session was marked by the absence of Seoule Simeon, the former MP for Epi constituency, who has recently been sentenced to two years and six months for car theft. Now released on bail while appealing his conviction, he is no longer eligible to participate in parliamentary sittings, a fact reiterated by Clerk of Parliament Maxime Banga. Despite this personal setback, Speaker Felix has granted Simeon a 30-day extension related to his parliamentary seat, pending the outcome of his appeal, adhering to the Members of Parliament (Vacation of Seats) Act.
As Parliament gears up to resume today at 8:30 am, there is a palpable sense of urgency along with hope among lawmakers as they prepare to engage in meaningful debates and decisions that could shape Vanuatu’s legislative landscape. The developments not only reflect the dynamic nature of the political environment but also the commitment of MPs to collaborate on vital national issues, fostering a hopeful outlook for governance and public service.