Pomat: Court ruling confirms Parliament followed the law

Speaker of Parliament Job Pomat has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling supporting the constitutional amendment on Votes of No Confidence.

Mr Pomat said the court decision confirms that Parliament followed the law and constitutional process when passing the amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court recently dismissed a legal challenge against the amendment, which changes some rules relating to motions of no confidence against the Prime Minister.

Mr Pomat said the Supreme Court has now ruled twice on the same matter, first by a three-judge bench and now by a five-judge bench.

“The Supreme Court has now twice affirmed that the conduct of Parliament and the laws passed by Parliament were constitutional and proper,” Speaker Pomat said.

“These decisions were made by some of the nation’s most senior judges after carefully considering the same constitutional questions that had been raised publicly and politically.”

He said claims that Parliament acted unlawfully had now been tested in the country’s highest court.

“The Court has upheld not once, but twice, that the parliamentary process followed constitutional provisions and that the amendment was passed lawfully,” he said.

Speaker Pomat said Parliament follows many legal and constitutional steps before any law is passed.

“There are extensive checks and balances involved before any law reaches the floor of Parliament,” he said.

“Processes include legal clearances from relevant state agencies, certificates of necessity where applicable, State Solicitor clearance, NEC deliberations, parliamentary readings, debate, and ultimately voting by elected Members of Parliament.”

Mr Pomat said constitutional amendments require strong support from Members of Parliament before they can become law.

He also said the Office of the Speaker remains neutral and independent.

“The Speaker’s office does not operate based on political interests. Our duty is to uphold the integrity of Parliament and ensure laws are made in accordance with constitutional requirements,” he said.

Speaker Pomat said the amendment does not remove the constitutional right to move a vote of no confidence.

“The Vote of No Confidence mechanism remains fully intact under our Constitution,” he said.

“What these amendments seek to address is the culture of continuous political instability where repeated attempts are made to change governments despite insufficient numbers on the floor of Parliament.”

Mr Pomat said the amendment is aimed at promoting political stability while still protecting democracy and accountability.

“Our Parliament and Cabinet processes always strive to ensure good laws are passed in the best interests of the country, and the Supreme Court has now affirmed that these particular amendments were made consistently with the Constitution,” Speaker Pomat said.