It is incumbent upon the Government bench to maintain its numbers when Parliament deals with government bills.
Leader of the Parliamentary Independent Group, Dr Derek Sikua raised this point of order in Parliament yesterday.
Dr Sikua made the point when Parliament resolved into Committee of the Whole House to deal with the Whistleblowers Protection Bill 2016 clause by clause.
Minister of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Bradley Tovusia raised the issue of quorum saying it is every MP\’s responsibility to be in Parliament for deliberations.
But Dr Sikua says it is incumbent upon the Government side to always maintain their numbers when government bills are discussed.
\”The conventional practice Mr Chairman, is when we deal with Government Bills, it is the Government\’s side that it is incumbent on them to make sure that it maintains numbers in the chambers Mr Chairman. We all have the same responsibility but more so sir if we want to pass the bills because it is the Government that has numbers so it must maintain its numbers in the chambers.\”
Dr Sikua said it is incumbent upon the Prime Minister and the Caucus Chair to ensure that they maintain their numbers in the chamber.
Parliament passed the Bill yesterday.
By: Rickson Bau
