OPPOSITION Leader Mathew Cooper Wale did not move the ‘Special Motion No.8’ for Parliament to debate the damning Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) Audit Report last Friday when the house resumed after being adjourned on Monday 4 November.
This is due to following reasons:
- Decision by the Parliamentary House Committee to defer consideration of the ESP Report;
- The examination of the ESP Audit Report by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee; and
- Presentation of reports on the PAC to Parliament by the Minister of Finance and Treasury.
According to the Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele when moving the special motion of adjournment to further adjourn Parliament till Monday 2 December last Friday, the special adjournment until Friday 15 November was also to give time for the Opposition Leader to move Motion No.8, which stands in his name.
He said Motion No.8 sought the approval of Parliament for the House to resolve into Committee of the Whole House to consider the Audit Report on ESP because it has generated much public debate and the constituencies were also beneficiaries of the ESP.
“The ESP Audit Report is one that is of public interest and that is why I moved that motion of special adjournment on Monday 4 November for Parliament to adjourn for today 15 November, which is a Friday purposely to allow the Opposition Leader to move his motion because that cannot be done as we know on Government Business Day which is Monday to Thursday.
“Unfortunately, Parliament cannot consider this report today because the Leader of Opposition did not move the motion which stands in his name for Parliament to debate it. I understand from the Leader that the Parliamentary House Committee has decided to defer consideration of the ESP Report and also for the PAC to examine the (ESP Audit) Report.
“And Mr Speaker Sir, as just been presented, we have a number of reports from the Minister of Finance and Treasury relating to the ESP Report so that may also need some time for deliberation but as a government, we are keen to look at these reports so that our people can have the opportunity to hear from both sides of the House,” PM Manele said.
“I could ask the government to look at these important reports so that our people have the opportunity to hear from both sides of the house. Unfortunately, we’re not able to do that today,” the PM added.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
