Change of govt depends on speaker’s impartiality

THE political party that returns the highest number of MPs is invited by the governor-general
to form the government.
That happened three months ago when Sir Michael Ogio in­vited Peter O’Neill to form the government as prime minister of the ninth parliament.
We saw the three government arms in action, both legislatively and politically, to define their respective supremacy.
In the end, it was obvious parliament is superior than the judiciary and the executive arms.
What was also obvious from previous episodes that the elec­-tion or removal of the prime mi­nister was the prerogative of the speaker­.
This means the speaker has the power to change a government.
When such power is bestowed on one person, how safe is it?
While I respect the personal and institutional integrity of the current speaker, I am equally concerned of his (or his successors’) impartiality in a country that is widely known for “en­couraging” political affiliation.
It is no secret that some members of parliament were swayed by po­litical parties with massive  financial support
Political loyalty is sometimes defined by how much is being dangled.
With so many bulls in the paddock, O’Neill may not be safe from a vote of no-confidence.
The speaker is in control of administering the standing or­ders to ensure political stability.
But the change of conscience may accommodate the need for
a change of government if a stronger bull emerges.

Samson Wena
Kerowagi, Chimbu