Nauru parliament remains at a standstill
REPUBLIC OF
NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
7 May, 2013
Nauru parliament remains at a
standstill
The Parliament of Nauru is still gridlocked with not enough
members attending the sittings to enable a continuation of
parliamentary business notably the second dissolution advice made
by President Sprent Dabwido on 15th April 2013.
At this morning's sitting (Tuesday, 7 May) no quorum was
achieved and Speaker Godfrey Thoma recessed the House until the
afternoon.
The bells were rung again at approximately 3.30pm (Nauru time)
and again there was no quorum.
Speaker Thoma used the opportunity to advise the public that all
statements made by him in parliament would be made available to the
public through the Clerk of Parliament.
Mr Thoma also welcomed anyone with questions and enquiries
regarding the current parliamentary situation to request an
appointment with him in writing to the Clerk of Parliament.
The speaker then gave a summary of sittings since the
president's second letter to dissolve parliament on Monday 15
April, reminding the House of the lack of progress made by members
to date.
Speaker Thoma also read a letter he had written to President
Dabwido on Friday 3 May in which he stated "that the current
impasse can be very easily remedied, simply by you [the President]
and your Cabinet colleagues attending the next sitting of
Parliament,... thereby ensuring that there is a quorum and that
debate can proceed". The letter stated that it seemed to the
speaker that "all members are keen for the 20th
Parliament to be dissolved and for general elections to be held,
but the only way that can occur is if we have a quorate sitting of
Parliament at which members are given the opportunity to debate the
advice to dissolve".
Mr Thoma said that if the President or Cabinet took the matter
to the Supreme Court, he would abide by any ruling or opinion from
the Supreme Court.
Speaker Thoma then adjourned the House until Thursday 9 May at
10.00am.
ENDS///