Govt to prioritise 2021 budget

By HELEN TARAWA
THE Government’s priority in the next sitting of Parliament is the tabling and debate on the 2021 national budget, says Leader of Government Business Rainbo Paita.
Paita, also the Finance Minister, was responding to a statement from the Opposition that a motion of no confidence would be moved against Prime Minister James Marape in next month’s sitting.
Paita told The National that the Clerk to Parliament Kala Aufa determined when a motion of no-confidence could be moved.
Aufa said the 18-month grace period allowed by the Constitution to the Marape-led government would expire on Nov 30. Therefore, he said no such motion would be entertained in the two-week session of Parliament starting on Nov 10.
Paita said the two weeks would be focused on the budget.
“The priority is the 2021 budget then we will adjourn to next year,” he said.
“The government is still intact.
“We are looking forward to 2022 (general election).
“MPs should concentrate on their electorates crying for services.”
Paita said the People’s National Congress had the luxury of governing for eight years.
“We have just been here for 18 months,” he said.
“Our government is faced with the challenge of (the) Covid-19 but we are still intact.”
Paita said for a motion of no confidence to be moved, it had to be signed by MPs and submitted to the private members committee to approve.
“We will remain in government and we are focused on preparing the budget,” he said.