Vanuatu parliament building in the capital Port Vila. Photo: RNZI/ Walter Zweifel
The Speaker of Vanuatu's Parliament, Esmon Saimon, has issued a public apology after the Supreme Court ruled that the government's parliamentary secretary bill is unconstitutional.
The bill sought to change the constitution to formalise the role of parliamentary secretaries, quasi-ministerial positions held by MPs that have existed since 2012.
The bill was passed by parliament but referred to the court by the President for legal clarification.
The Daily Post reports the Speaker saying the Supreme Court ruled the constitutional changes in the bill could only be enacted following a referendum.
He said he was sorry the government failed to work within the constitution.