Papua New Guinea parliamentarians today begin considering law changes that are aimed at producing stable governments.
Since independence, no PNG administration has lasted its full five-year term because of many votes of no confidence.
The planned changes to the Integrity Law are designed to stop party hopping and will force a general election if a government is defeated.
A political scientist at the University of PNG, Ray Anere, says it is hoped the MPs will think twice before trying to bring down a government.
"The idea here is that if they think twice about the consequences they'll probably decide not to vote in favour for a motion should there be a motion of no confidence. In that way the house doesn't have to be dissolved and all 109 members of parliament will have to go back to the polls."
