17 Jul 2015

Defections bolster Solomon Islands government

6:50 pm on 17 July 2015

The Solomon Islands govenment's hold on power has been bolstered following the defection of three MPs to the Democratic Coalition for Change.

no caption

Photo: RNZI Koroi Hawkins

The SIBC reports the three MPs -- Moses Garu, Alfred Ghiro, and Martin Mokolo Kealoe -- resigned from the opposition and independent benches to join the governing coalition.

The Prime Minister's Press Secretariat Office says Mr Garu will chair the cabinet subcommittee on RAMSI, while Mr Ghiro will chair the cabinet subcommittee on the Development Bank of Solomon Islands.

Mr Kealoe has also been earmarked for a chairmanship position.

The latest defection brings the government coaltion to 35 MPs, while the opposition and independent side only has 15.