A few minutes after parliament met today, leader of government business James Marape announced the adjournment of parliament to August 26th, an announcement that received hostility from the opposition benches.
Reasons for the adjournment were because the government was not ready to pass important legislations and because the country was playing host to the Melanesian Arts and Culture Festival, which will see 3 Prime Ministers of 3 island nations in attendance.
The chambers were empty at 2:00 when the speaker walked in.
Most members, including the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, walked into the chambers after 30 minutes.
After the prayers, leader of government business James Marape announced the adjournment of parliament to August.
He made the reasons known to the media in a conference after the adjournment.
The announcement was not welcomed by the members of opposition, who called for a vote to determine if all members were in support of this.
Those in favour of the announcement scored 74 votes, outnumbering the opposition who scored only 5 votes. Sidelined Attorney General Kerenga Kua was part of the five.
Marape also dispelled rumours of the Prime Minister resigning, saying PNG and the government caucus was intact and that was displayed during the vote for the adjournment in parliament today.
He also announced and welcomed new members of parliament to PNC. These members include Member for Sohe and Minister for Higher Education Delilah Gore, Member for Ijivitari David Arore, Forest Minister Douglas Tomuriesa, Mendi Open MP De Kewanu, Talasea MP Francis Marus, all of whom left opposition earlier to join URP, and now joining PNC and Benjamin Philip.
He said PNC had 56 MPs, was solid and intact and business was as usual in politics.
Marape further said he was also a party in the Paraka matter and has gone through the normal police interviews.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=AN3-lG2NKzs%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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