MPs told to follow standing orders in parliament

Members of Parliament have been reminded to adhere to the standing orders when raising questions or making statements.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Attorney-General Davis Steven was responding to questions raised by Madang Governor Peter Yama in Parliament on Friday.
Yama, while asking questions, made statements as well that were against parliamentary standing orders and was told by Deputy Speaker Jeffery Komal to withdraw the statements but he did not.
His refusal to withdraw certain statements caused a stir in the House as MPs and ministers interjected him several times.
Steven said Yama’s question was accompanied by a lot of statements that in the process, his question had diminished to the point where an answer was not possible.
“I take the opportunity to remind the honourable house and learned leaders of our standing orders of national parliament,” he said.
“And under part 8, the standing orders are very clear, questions seeking information and under rule 141 for questions, the following general rules apply to question.
“A question cannot be debated, it should not contain statements of facts and names of persons or arguments or infringes, not contain imputations and expressions.
“A question should not be asked to a minister for an expression of opinion or for legal opinion.”
Steven said discussions generated by Yama had important legal issues about the sensitivity of parliament and privileges that MPs had.
“These are matters within the prerogative of the clerk but also as the attorney-general I’m interested and concerned. The discussions also related to matters that seem to arise from an election petition and court cases, action in Port Moresby and Madang.
“Whilst I recognise very important legal issues that have been raised, this is not the place and the forum to provide legal opinions.
“The opportunity given for this honourable House is through the clerk and my officers to look into these issues.
“I would therefore in pursuit to standing orders, ask Governor Yama to put facts and circumstances that he has referred to in a written notice so that those issues will be dealt with according to standing orders,” Steven said.