Parliament convened yesterday and voted to suspend Standing Order 18, effectively extending the second extraordinary session by an additional two hours. Following a brief adjournment on Wednesday, the session resumed with a renewed focus on reviewing essential legislation.
The motion to suspend the standing order was introduced by the Leader of Government Business and Member of Parliament for Pentecost, Charlot Salwai, who acted upon a request from the Leader of the Opposition, Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau. This extension was deemed necessary due to concerns raised by Kalsakau, highlighting the need for adequate time for Members of Parliament to thoroughly review new bills. Some MPs had recently faced technical difficulties with their parliamentary iPads, which resulted in delays in receiving important documents.
The motion garnered strong support, passing with 47 votes in favor, and Speaker of Parliament Stephen Felix noted the lack of any objections to the extension before adjourning proceedings until this morning.
During this extraordinary session, a total of 19 bills will be considered, including significant legislation such as the Cocoa Act, the Energy Efficiency of Electrical Appliances Bill, and the Industrial Hemp and Medical Cannabis Bill. This broad agenda underscores the government’s commitment to tackling various pressing social and economic issues.
Additionally, the session has been marked by the absence of Seoule Simeon, the former MP for the Epi constituency, who was recently sentenced to two years and six months for car theft. Although he is now out on bail while appealing his conviction, he remains ineligible to attend parliamentary sittings. Clerk of Parliament Maxime Banga emphasized this point. However, Speaker Felix has granted Simeon a 30-day extension regarding his parliamentary seat, in accordance with the Members of Parliament (Vacation of Seats) Act, pending the outcome of his appeal.
As Parliament prepares to resume today at 8:30 am, there is a clear sense of urgency and hope among lawmakers. They are set to engage in meaningful debates and decisions that have the potential to significantly shape Vanuatu’s legislative landscape. These developments not only showcase the dynamic nature of the political environment but also reflect the dedication of MPs to collaborate on vital national issues, fostering an optimistic outlook for governance and public service going forward.