Bird blames clerical error for failed motion of no-confidence

By ANTOINETTE POIVI
THE error in the no-confidence motion submission was a clerical one, says East Sepik Governor Allan Bird.
He said governors had three interchangeable titles.
“We are known as governors, regional members and provincial members.
“The clerical error was to put me down as the regional member for East Sepik.
“In terms of meaning, it was the same but in terms of what’s on the writ, it said provincial member,” Bird said.
He said on the writ, it did not say he was the governor or regional member.
“Whoever was typing this was, maybe, in a rush and had put me down as regional member for East Sepik.
“The error was fixed and sent back in.”
Bird said in terms of party affiliates and political movements, predictions were difficult to make at this point in time.
“The kind of politics we have today, if you move, your district services improvement programme funds and provincial budgets are cut.
“Many members of Parliament are scared to move because they are going to see cuts in their provincial budgets,” he said.
“One thing we (Opposition) would like to look at is to stop the idea of the prime minister’s public funds holding members of Parliament to ransom.
“Every province gets a budget cut and there’s no consultation or consideration,” he said.
He said one key thing was that Papua New Guineans wanted change.
At least the citizens are assured now that the Opposition is putting its hands up and challenging the government.
“By us challenging the government, it’s giving comfort to the people of the country.
“Even if members don’t cross the floor and even if the vote of no confidence fails, most important thing is that at least the people of this country know that some MPs are seeing the problems
around the country, we see the pain that our people are feeling and we are doing something about it.
It’s up to the members if they want to move or not.”