Speaker Grants Extension Request by Prime Minister
The Prime Minister has formally requested an extension from the Speaker to submit his response to the Motion of No Confidence. Initially due by 12 noon on Friday, November 29, 2024, the new deadline is set for 12 noon on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
The motion was originally scheduled to be tabled on Tuesday, December 3, when Parliament resumes. However, the Speaker approved the extension through a resolution circulated to Members of Parliament on Thursday, November 28 and will now be tabled on December 9,2024.
The opposition has criticised the decision to grant the extension, arguing that the government has had ample time and resources to prepare its response. A spokesperson for the opposition stated:
“This delay is unnecessary. The government has the staff and resources to address the relatively few issues raised. The extension is clearly a tactic to manipulate the process in their favour.”
Speaker Lord Fakafanua defended his approval of the extension, emphasizing that it adhered to the procedural requirements of the Legislative Assembly Rules and Procedures. Despite this, the opposition remains critical, arguing that the delay undermines the integrity of the parliamentary process.
The extension has reignited discussions about the procedure for handling no-confidence votes. A 2023 court ruling clarified that the Speaker has discretion in conducting proceedings in line with the Legislative Assembly’s Rules and Procedures. While the opposition advocates for debate before voting as outlined in Section 62 of the Constitution, the court has upheld that immediate voting after readings is permissible under the rules.
The possibility of a noble bloc aligning with the opposition has fuelled speculation. However, a senior noble denied these claims, stating that recent meetings among nobles were unrelated to the extension request.
“The extension decision was made solely by the Speaker in his capacity as Speaker of Parliament. Our meeting focused on broader issues leading up to the vote, not the extension itself,” the noble explained.
The noble also acknowledged that three members of their bloc are overseas, and the extension allows them to participate in the debate and vote.
Echoes of 2023
The situation is reminiscent of September 2023, when the government faced similar accusations of stalling tactics during a no-confidence motion. While the opposition views the delay as a strategy to weaken their momentum, the government argues that the additional time ensures a comprehensive response to the motion.
