By Loretta B Manele
The audit report of the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) will be debated in parliament Friday next week.
This motion was moved by Opposition Leader Matthew Wale, and was put on notice on October 4, satisfying standing order’s required notice period.
Announcing this in parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said the motion is ready for debate.
Manele adds that matter will be debated on a Friday since it is a private member’s motion, according to standing orders.
“The audit report on the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP) is one of public interest and it is only right that parliament considers this report,” Manele said yesterday while moving the motion that parliament be adjourned for Friday, November 15.
He said there is already a motion for parliament to resolve in committee of the whole house to consider Motion No.8 on the Business Paper by the Leader of Opposition.
Manele said the Standing Orders prescribe that only government motions and bills can be debated on Mondays to Thursdays.
“Therefore, to allow the Leader of the Official Opposition to move the motion that stands in his name in the Business Paper, I move that on the adjournment of Parliament today, Parliament shall adjourn to Friday, November 15, 2024”
Manele emphasised that the ESP audit report is of public interest hence it is only right that parliament considers it.
“The Government for National Unity and Transformation believes that we must discharge our duty of considering this audit report.
“I therefore thank the Auditor-General, who is also the Secretary to the Public Accounts Committee, for auditing the ESP report.
“I thank the Speaker as well for presenting the paper to Parliament and of course the Leader of the Official Opposition for putting on notice the motion for Parliament to resolve in the Committee of the Whole House to consider this report.”
Manele said the special adjournment will also give time for caucus and cabinet to deliberate on the 2025 budget this week.
“Once Cabinet passes it, we can forward it to Parliament for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to start its inquiry into the 2025 Appropriations Bill. When we return on the 15th of November, we should get a fair idea on how much time the PAC needs.”
He added that as a government they expect PAC’s report on the budget to be ready by Dec 2, 2024.
Manele appealed for the support and understanding of all members of Parliament to support the government in this regard.
He mentioned that there are instances in the past where PAC has been trying to delay the passage of the Budget by dragging its feet.
“I am not saying that this will happen. I am just saying that we are aware of these procedural tricks sometimes that have been used in the past to test the unity and solidarity of the government.”
Manele hopes the 12th parliament will work together in terms of deliberation and ensuring that they pass the 2025 Appropriation Bill when it is presented to parliament in the first two weeks of December this year.
He also urges the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to prioritise the inquiry into the budget once it is laid before Parliament.
