Power shift shakes the house as Opposition springs surprise

NUMBERS in the Opposition swelled as Government ministers and backbenchers moved to the Opposition in a surprise move that caught the country and the remaining members of government off guard.
Early Thursday evening, Nov 12, The National was informed that several government ministers and backbenchers were meeting with the Opposition team.
The next morning, a bus was seen leaving the premises of the Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil.
From there several vehicles convoyed to the Crowne Hotel downtown Port Moresby where they picked up the other members of the Opposition and ministers and in three buses convoyed to Parliament.
The back gate was cleared as the vehicle convoy made its way into Parliament. There, Opposition Leader Belden Namah, and all leaders of the People’s National Congress, National Alliance, People’s Progress Party, PNG Country Party, Our Development Party, United Resource Party, Liberal Party, United Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, Coalition for Reform Party, and other members of Pangu made their way into the chamber.
Western Governor Tobou Awi Yoto was in the middle of directing his questions to Agriculture Minister John Simon when the MPs walked in.
All eyes were on the Opposition as they filled the seats.
A few minutes later Basil walked in taking his seat in the deputy Opposition leader’s seat. The Opposition had 57 to the Government’s 39.
Namah then moved a motion to adjourn parliament to Dec 1.
No one objected. Deputy speaker Koni Iguan adjourned Parliament to Dec 1.
“There must be an absolute majority of 56 votes, the motion was allowed to proceed to change the private business committee,” says clerk to Parliament Kala Aufa.
“By adjourning to Dec 1 they have covered the grace period so they thought it out.”
Namah moved the motion to replace the private business committee with MPs Peter Isoaimo (Kairuku-Hiri), Jeffrey Komal (Nipa-Kutubu), Alfred Manase (Kandep) and Tomait Kapili (Lagaip-Pogera).