by Delly Waigeno – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Following the Budget Lock Up, Treasurer, Patrick Pruaitch, presented the 2016 National Budget to Parliament.
But there was uproar on the floor when Opposition Leader, Don Polye’s motion to move the Budget debate to a later date caused a division.
The majority of the Members’ of Parliament voted against an adjournment of the budget debate.
Treasurer, Patrick Pruaitch, presented the 2015 Supplementary Budget and the 2016 National Budget to parliament this afternoon.
After presenting all the numbers, the Treasurer said the government adopted a conservative stance on both budgets in order to build a strong economy.
Opposition Leader, Don Polye, then moved a motion to have the budget debate postponed to a later date.
There were more “No’s” than “Aye’s” for the deferral, causing Mr Polye to raise a Point of Order.
Acting Speaker, Aida Ganasi, then called for a vote to gauge numbers of MP’s ‘for’ and ‘against’ an adjournment of the budget debate.
When the votes were tallied, it was 84-12 against an adjournment.
Therefore parliament is still in session with the budget debate continuing. The budget is expected to be passed at the end of the debate, later tonight.
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