'Only one shot': PNG opposition to challenge changes to no-confidence vote law

Allan Bird, left, and Kerenga Kua Photo: Supplied

Papua New Guinea's opposition has announced plans to challenge the recent constitutional amendments that bar a vote of no confidence within 18 months of a failed attempt.

The amendment was passed this week with an overwhelming 81-4 vote, surpassing the two-thirds majority required for constitutional changes.

Opposition members who spoke to reporters after the parliament on Thursday said the amendments, which were pushed through using the government's numerical strength, were not adequately debated and are dangerous for the country.

Sinasina-Yongomugl MP Kerenga Kua said the vote of no confidence provisions act as a pressure valve in a democratic system and should not be tampered with.

"We hold the power in trust for the people. If you remove those pressure valves, there is nothing stopping the people from taking the law into their own hands on the streets," Kua said.

Prior to the changes, a new prime minister was allowed a grace period of 18 months from the formation of the government to the first vote of no confidence.

After that period, the opposition could initiate multiple votes of no confidence if the first one failed. With the changes to section 145 of the constitution, there can now only be one no-confidence vote followed by another 18 months, if the attempt fails.

This effectively gives the prime minister three years of uninterrupted rule if the government is able to fend off that one challenge.

"This amendment here effectively means that, over a five-year period, you have only one opportunity to hold the government accountable.

"You have one year, and within that, only one shot."

Kua then highlighted amendments to the Prime Minister and National Executive Council (NEC) Act, saying that these changes make the NEC decisions non-justiciable.

He expressed concerns that this move undermines accountability, leaving the NEC unanswerable to established systems and processes.

The opposition will also challenge the constitutional declaration of making PNG a Christian country.

"We all know the problems with fundamentalism of any kind, whether you are a Muslim or Christian," East Sepik governor Allan Bird said.

"We have to protect our people from this kind of extremism. That is why we have to challenge this amendment."