Speakers office warned as Marape calls for calm amidst VoNC move

The National Parliament Speaker Job Pomat has been urged to comply with the Supreme Court decision of 31st March 2025, or will be slapped with civil and criminal sanctions.

Lawyer representing the Deputy Opposition Leader, Paul Mawa of Mawa Lawyers, said this when submitting a letter to the Office of the Speaker today.

Mr. Mawa in his letter, stated that the Office of the Speaker should respect the Court decision, by recalling Parliament on the 08th of April, start the process into the Notice of Motion of No Confidence in accordance with Section 145 of the Constitution.

He said that this order does not mean that Parliament will be recalled next week Tuesday to vote on the motion, but place it on the Notice Paper, and all MP's should be given a week's notice, prior to the motion to be moved, debated and voted on in Parliament.

Mr. Mawa further adds that this compliance was not followed when the motion was first introduced on the 27th of November 2024, that is why the Speaker should now allow that process to be complied with, to effect this Court decision.

He further adds that the Speaker should direct the Clerk to place the motion on the Notice Paper, when Parliament reconvenes on the 08th of April, before the House is adjourned to Tuesday the 15th of April, for debate and a vote will be taken.

The Opposition has nominated Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, as its alternate Prime Minister in their initial motion which was rejected by the Private Business Committee, on the 27th of November 2024, and it will be the same motion which will be placed on the Notice Paper next Tuesday.

The Officer of the Speaker when contacted by the NBC Newsroom, advised that the Speaker is currently in his Electorate in Manus, and is not available for comment. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister, James Marape today issued a national appeal for calm and for all citizens to respect the constitutional and legal processes currently underway in relation to the upcoming Vote of No Confidence.

Speaking ahead of next Tuesday’s Parliament’s sitting, Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed that the Marape-Rosso Government and the broader Pangu-led coalition will not interfere in any way with proceedings before the courts, and that the rule of law remains paramount.

“We welcome the court’s oversight and scrutiny. This Government will not tamper with any
court process. We respect the judiciary to the fullest and will comply with all legal
requirements,” Prime Minister Marape said.