Nauru parliament lacks a quorum as it enters third week
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
14 May, 2013
Nauru parliament lacks a quorum
as it enters third week
The Parliament of Nauru has entered its third week in which it
has not been able to conduct business due to lack of a quorum.
After opening prayers Speaker Godfrey Thoma proceeded to
introduce the first business of the sitting that being the advice
to dissolve parliament delivered to the former speaker by His
Excellency President Sprent Dabwido, but realized there were still
not enough members in attendance to proceed.
The only members present today (14 May) were Minister Roland
Kun, Marcus Stephen, Landon Deireragea, Mathew Batsiua, Dominic
Tabuna and Dr Kieren Keke. Minister Riddell Akua is off island.
Since the April 25th sitting parliament has failed to
conduct business with certain members, namely, President Dabwido,
Minister Bernicke, Minister Amwano, David Adeang, Valdon Dowiyogo,
Milton Dube, Ludwig Scotty, Ryke Solomon and Baron Waqa,
continually not turning up.
The continued absences are preventing debate on the president's
second advice made on 18 April to dissolve parliament and set an
election date.
The absent members wrote to the speaker on 26 April advising
that they would not attend the Friday 26th April sitting as they
believed that the life of the 20th parliament had expired at
midnight on Thursday, 25th April - seven days after the president's
advice was delivered to the speaker.
However, under Article 41(4) of the Constitution the president's
advice to dissolve parliament must be followed by an opportunity
for all members to debate that advice in the House. Members are
also afforded the opportunity to move and vote on a No Confidence
motion under Article 24.
The seven day time period to dissolve the House runs from the
time that the debate begins.
Today's (14 May) sitting is the ninth consecutive time in which
parliament has failed to reach a quorum.