Parliament has passed the amended Parliamentary Standing Orders after 26 parliamentarians voted for the amendments and 23 voted against it.
Leader of Government Inia Seruiratu says the proposed amendments by the Standing Committee include changing the order of business and putting parliamentary questions after motions.
Hon. Inia Seruiratu
He says this is done to allow government business to take precedence and be attended to and this will also be in line to see government business takes priority from Monday to Thursday.
Seruiratu adds they are also increasing end of week opposition statements.
Seruiratu says a member must not take any photographs or any audio or visual recording during sittings of Parliament or any parliamentary committee meeting and a member must not make any social media posting or media releases in relation to any parliamentary business during the sitting.
He says this is essential to protect the sanctity and integrity of Parliament.
While contributing to the motion, SODELPA’s Niko Nawaikula says government is trying to stop freedom of speech.
SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula
SODELPA MP Viliame Gavoka says they want to be able to speak in their own language and dialect in parliament.
SODELPA MP Viliame Gavoka
Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum stresses that there is no new limitation on Question Time in parliament for the opposition and they should stop misleading people.
Sayed-Khaiyum also clarifies that parliamentarians cannot live stream or take photos during parliament sittings to preserve the sanctity of parliament.
Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
Sayed-Khaiyum also says they cannot have people speaking in different languages in parliament.
ADVERTISEMENT
