The Solomon Islands government has defeated a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister, moved by the Leader of the Opposition, Patteson Oti.
28 MPs voted against the motion, 17 voted in favour and one member abstained.
Three other MPs were absent.
Moving the motion, Mr Oti claimed the government under the leadership of Sir Allan
Kemakeza had failed to deliver on promises it had made to the people of Solomon Islands.
He said the government had failed to have the right priorities and lacked the capacity and political will to implement its programmes.
In reply, Sir Allan defended his government's record saying economic activity was now picking up, the law and order situation was returning to normal and aid donors were returning to assist the country.
Our correspondent in Honiara, George Atkin,says several MPs who had earlier indicated their support for the motion changed their minds after Mr Oti's handling of the debate
"One minister who had signed a letter in support of the opposition said uotside parliament that he had changed his mind because MrOti's presentation was poor, not convincing and did not contain new facts. Another minister, who also signed the letter and did not attend a government-hosted luncheon yesterday, voted against the motion for the same reason."
George Atkin.
During the debate the minister for Peace, Unity and Reconciliation, Nathaniel Waena, launched an attack on Australia, for interfering and undermining Solomon Islands sovereignty.
Mr Waena, who said aid donors should come to Solomon Islands with open minds told parliament a travel advisory warning Australians not to holiday in Solomon Islands was killing the country.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who was in Honiara yesterday later rejected the criticism and defended the travel advisory.
He said he did not care about the criticism adding that his government had a duty to protect its citizens.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs Chris Gallus has announced that Australia is to provide more than 5 million US dollars in aid this financial year to the Solomon Islands to help improve delivery of essential health services.
The funding is in addition to just over four and a half million provided earlier to the cash-strapped nation.
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