CJ throws out the case challenging the validity of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2022 to extend the life of the current Parliament
THE High Court yesterday threw out the case challenging the validity of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2022.
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer announced his decision after giving a summary of the submissions for and against the controversial amendment.
He took about 45 minutes to read out the judgement as the packed High Courtroom sat in silence without any visible reaction.
In the end, he concurred with the arguments advanced by government lawyers, including Australia’s Kings Counsel Tim Matthews that the government had satisfied the legislative procedures described under Section 61 (3) in the Constitution in the process for the passage of bills.
The impact of the ruling, if any, is being absorbed, especially by members of the public who see the court as the only way to remove the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) from office.
The Leader of the Independent Group in Parliament John Dean Kuku said after the ruling that yesterday’s proceedings had never addressed the important constitutional issues raised in his submission.
“The proceedings focused more on the government submissions than anything else, ignoring important matters we have raised,” MP John Dean Kuku told a small crowd that gathered outside the General Post Office building yesterday.
His office is considering an appeal to the Court of Appeal which begins its session in Honiara next month.
Yesterday’s decision meant that the current 11th Parliament would end on 31 December 2023. Under the Constitution, the National General Election must be held within four months of the dissolution of Parliament.
By Alfred Sasako
