Madang MP, Bryan Kramer yesterday expressed his disappointment and embarrassment over the Government’s third attempt in Parliament to have passed the constitutional amendment to declare Papua New Guinea a Christian country on the eve of the Pope’ visit.
Parliament voted 73-7 in its favour but the result was short of six more votes to reach the absolute majority of 79.
Madang MP told a media conference that he was embarrassed by the Government’s failed attempt to push the 3rd vote on Christian Country Bill.
Madang MP stated in a statement that: “The Government moved a motion without notice to suspend standing orders when Parliament resumed today (on Thursday), bypassing the scheduled business of the day, which included questions without notice and private members’ bills.”
He described it as a shameless move that the Marape-Rosso Government attempted to introduce the third vote on the constitutional amendment on the eve of the VONC and the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis, without providing formal notice.
He added, following the vote tally, the Deputy Speaker announced that the Government had failed to secure the required votes to pass the amendment.
Mr. Kramer commented: “Since I was not given the opportunity to debate or vote during the first and second readings of the bill, I voted against the amendment during the third reading believed it is fundamentally inappropriate for politicians to dictate what constitutes Christianity.”
He continued: “It was embarrassing to watch the Government suspend standing orders to table the 3rd vote on the amendment, only to fall short of the required votes.
However, a desperate act of political grandstanding on the eve of His Holiness Pope Francis’ visits while all members of Parliament know that Thursdays are reserved for private members’ bills.
Madang MP further criticized the timing of the vote: “With the Pope’s visit approaching, it’s clear the Prime Minister was eager to pass this amendment, intertwining matters of church and state, especially with the looming vote of no confidence.”
He concluded: “I maintain that such a significant constitutional change requires proper consultation with our religious institutions. This is the second time Marape has failed to pass this amendment.”
In closing, Madang MP reminded the Prime Minister of Proverbs 29:2 from King James Bible: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn (suffer)”.
“Currently, the majority of people in PNG under Marape rule as Prime Minister are suffering that in itself is an indication of the government’s misplaced priorities,” Mr. Kramer said.