Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela has withdrawn the ‘Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill 2017’ and the ‘Citizenship Bill 2017’ on Monday to sort out issues raised by the Bills and Legislation Committee.
This means both Bills will be reintroduced to Parliament after government deals with the issues raised by the Bills and Legislation Committee.
A report by the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) suggested that the Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill 2017 be differed and the Citizenship Bill 2017 be withdrawn.
The BLC made this recommendation so Government could look at the broader policy issues that the committee had raised regarding the Citizenship Bill 2017.
However, government decided to withdraw both Bills since the Constitution (Amendment) (Dual Citizenship) Bill) is an enabling legislation for the citizenship Bill. It is a Bill to pave the way for the passing of the citizenship Bill.
Chairman of the Bills and Legislation Committee, Matthew Wale said they have no problem with government’s decision to withdraw both Bills as they can be reintroduced.
Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare explained that the Procedures on dealing with a Bill is outlined in Standing Orders 43 to 60.
But when a Bill is introduce into the system of parliament to the stage where it is now ready to be moved for second reading, the only provisions here for not to deal with it is under Standing Order 59: withdrawal of Bills.
The Bills will have to come through the normal processes again when they are ready to be reintroduce to Parliament.
– Parliament Media Unit
