O’Neill: Changes will ensure stability

 THE constitutional changes overwhelmingly approved by parliament will help ensure political stability and good government, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said on Friday.

“Claims by the opposition, and some commentators, that they give the government too much power are false,” O’Neill said.

He said the Government was committed to providing community services and growing the economy in a stable political environment. The changes were not designed to give the government too much “power”.

O’Neill said all the “checks and balances” on the government remained in place. 

“The only changes were the Parliament’s sitting programme, which would now be better planned.

“No confidence motions would have to be subject to proper debate and consideration.

“Claims that these changes give the government too much power simply don’t stand up to scrutiny,” he said.

O’Neill said he appreciated the overwhelming support of MPs for the two constitutional changes.

“Members understand why the changes are necessary. 

“They are fed up with political games, and instability, as much as the people they represent are,” he said.

“The government will use the political stability we now have to make certain basic community services are delivered to the people across the nation, to promote sound economic development, and especially develop our small business and medium sized enterprise sectors.

“Parliament is meeting more regularly, and functioning more effectively than ever.

“My Government will respect the overwhelming support it has received from the National Parliament, and focus on delivering good government for the people of Papua New Guinea.”