Proceedings into DBSI Bill adjourned due to lack of quorum
By Gary Hatigeva
FURTHER deliberations of parliament and Committee of the Whole House over the much talked about Development Bank of Solomon Islands Bill 2018, were disrupted and adjourned to today due to a lack of quorum.
The issue of quorum was raised following a point of order from the Chairman of the Bills and Legislation Committee and MP for Aoke/Langalanga, Matthew Wale after realising the number of members present was unable to meet requirements under parliamentary standing orders.
After covering almost half of the total number of clauses contained in it, Committee proceedings were suspended for lunch, but the lack of attendance by members for the resumption had sparked the issue of quorum, giving the speaker no choice but to adjourn yesterday’s session, including the Committee session.
Before the committee proceeding was suspended, parliament was able to go through 24 clauses, leaving another 25 to be covered.
The government had projected for all proceedings and final reading on the bill to be completed by yesterday, but because of the adjournment, further deliberations into the Bill will likely be put forward to any other sitting session, after the 27 of this month, as they have proposed for a motion to call for a special adjournment today.
However, parliamentary officials suggested that the government can also use today to complete all committee proceedings into the DBSI Bill, and push forward all its other businesses that were laid out earlier, for today’s session.
Matters that were outlined for this morning’s session according to the Prime Minister, includes the second readings for both the 2019 Appropriation Bill 2018 and the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2018 number two, and the motion for a special adjournment of parliament.
The Special Adjournment, according to government officials is to allow for necessary scrutiny to be conducted by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the 2019 Appropriation Bill 2018 and a second Supplementary Appropriation Bill for this year.
Island Sun understands that the Prime Minister will also be leaving today for the APEC Summit due to take place in Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby this week.
Parliament was adjourned to this morning.
