23 Jun 2006

Vanuatu opposition says government not committed to parliament

3:48 pm on 23 June 2006

The leader of Vanuatu's opposition has questioned the government's commitment to parliament after fewer than the expected number of ministers attended this week's sitting.

The Daily Post quotes Serge Vohor as saying it's a sign the government is not committed to addressing the nation's real issues.

Members of the Opposition protested on Tuesday in what they described as a "suspended boycott" which resulted in parliament delaying its session until afternoon.

Mr Vohor says the main purpose of the boycott was to show the opposition's disapproval of the government's lack of effort in their responsibility to parliament and to the people of Vanuatu.

Meanwhile, the deputy prime minister Sato Kilman had to ask the speaker yesterday afternoon to suspend parliament until the arrival of a government delegation from Santo.

The delegation of MPs and ministers was led by Prime Minister Ham Lini, and was returning from Luganville after launching a bio fuel project.