Speaker Thoma adourns parliament again
REPUBLIC OF
NAURU
Government Information Office
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2 May, 2013
Speaker Thoma adjourns
parliament again
The Nauru Parliament met twice today (Thursday, 2 May) at
10.00am and 3.00pm but no quorum was obtained.
After opening prayers in the afternoon session Speaker Godfrey
Thoma announced that while some members had excused themselves from
the sitting due to being unwell the House was nonetheless still
lacking the numbers to enable the sitting to continue.
Mr Thoma delivered a brief statement that while the business of
the House was not moving forward it would seem that progress is
being made with the suggestion made by President Sprent Dabwido in
the local media that the matter of dissolution might be referred to
the Supreme Court of Nauru as early as next week.
The speaker however questioned why the referral was not made
this week instead.
Mr Thoma also reiterated that he will abide by the ruling of the
Supreme Court in its interpretation of the Constitution in that the
House cannot yet dissolve until seven days after the debate on the
advice to dissolve has taken place.
He also reminded members that the Supreme Court ruling is
something they cannot deviate from.
Mr Thoma further said that while members would prefer to go to
fresh elections, the dissolution must be done lawfully and it is
currently not possible to do so given the failure of members to
allow debate to proceed.
Following his brief statement Speaker Thoma adjourned the House
until Tuesday 7 May at 10.00am in accordance with Standing Order
28.
This is the fourth consecutive time in which parliament has
failed to reach a quorum.
ENDS///