The Marape-Rosso Government has successfully passed a significant constitutional amendment, reinstating an 18-month grace period following a failed vote of no confidence (VONC) against the sitting Prime Minister and his government.
Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of the amendment, with 81 MPs supporting the bill and only 4 opposing it.
The constitutional change required a two-thirds absolute majority, surpassing the threshold of 79 votes.
■Ensuring Stability in Governance
Following the parliamentary session, Prime Minister James Marape on Wednesday addressed a press conference, commending MPs for supporting the amendment.
He emphasized the importance of political stability in ensuring effective governance and uninterrupted public service operations.
“Our MPs voted in big numbers today, demonstrating their support for a balanced approach,” Marape said in a media statement.
“This law ensures that a vote of no confidence can still be moved, but if unsuccessful, a grace period applies to prevent repeated disruptions to government operations.”
Marape clarified that the amendment strikes a middle ground—preserving the VONC provision as a crucial check on government power while preventing unnecessary political instability.
“I believe in keeping the vote of no confidence mechanism as intended by our constitutional fathers. It is an important tool for accountability,” he said.
“However, this amendment will discourage destabilizing attempts by those who lack the necessary support to change government.”
■A Response to Frequent VONC Attempts
Marape revealed that he had faced seven vote of no confidence attempts within a year, highlighting the need for the amendment. Another constitutional amendment: https://www.thepngsun.com/png-parliament-declares-nations-christian-identity/
He argued that repeated VONC motions hinder government work and disrupt public service efficiency.
“The MPs who voted for this law understand its significance. They have experienced firsthand how political instability affects their work and the functioning of the public service,” he said.
■Equal Application to Future Governments
The Prime Minister stressed that the grace period rule applies equally to both the government and the opposition.
“If the opposition successfully takes over government, their 18-month grace period begins. But if their attempt fails, the sitting government receives a fresh 18-month protection from further VONC motions,” Marape explained.
■Government Chooses Reform Over Complete Removal
Marape noted that his government had the numbers to completely remove the vote of no confidence provision, but chose not to in the interest of democratic accountability.
“We could have removed the VONC provision entirely, but as a responsible government, we acknowledge that Section 145 exists for a reason—to maintain checks and balances,” he stated.
■Opposition’s Right to Challenge the Amendment
In closing, Marape acknowledged that the opposition had the legal right to challenge the amendment in court if they wished.
The passing of this amendment marks a major shift in Papua New Guinea’s political landscape, aiming to stabilize governance while maintaining accountability mechanisms.
CONSTITUTION AMENDED TO REINTRODUCE 18-MONTH VONC
