CERTIFICATION The Minutes of Proceedings which appear in the following book have been established by the Clerk of Parliament and have been amended and confirmed by Parliament in accordance with the provisions of Article 18 of the Standing Orders of Parliament. Lino Bulekuli (lit SACSAC Speaker of Parliament Clerk of Parliament PARLIAMENT OF THE PARLEMENT DE LA REPUBLIC OF VANUATU REPUBLIQUE DE VANUATU FOURTH LEGISLATURE OF PARLIAMENT ABBIL, Hon. Iolu Johnson Member for Tanna BANGABITI, Hon. Amos Member for Ambae BATICK, Hon. Romain Member for Malekula BLAISE, Hon. Batick Member for Ambrym BOULEKONE, Hon. Vincent Member for Pentecost BUE, Hon. Samson Member for Ambae BULE, Hon. Allen Member for Pentecost BULEWU, Hon. Job Member for Pentecost CALO, Hon. Joseph Member for Tongoa/Shepherds CARLOT, Hon. Louis Member for Efate CARLOT, Hon. Maxime Member for Port Vila CHILIA, Hon. Jimmy Meto Member for Efate FARATLA, Hon. Thomas Brothy Member for Port Vila HOPA, Hon. Jack Tungon Member for Ambrym HOPMAN, Hon. Alick Allan Member for Port Vila IOUIOU, Hon. Henry Member for Tanna JERETY, Hon. Rasen Member for Malekula JIMMY, Hon. Willie Member for Port Vila KALPOKAS, Hon. Donald Member for Efate KARIE, Hon. Robert David Member for Tongoa/Shepherds LAHVA, Hon. Jeffrey Member for Tanna LANGO, Hon. Demis Member for Paama LINI, Hon. Walter Hadye Member for Pentecost LINI, Hon. Hilda Member for Port Vila LOP, Hon. Kissel Member for Tanna LULUM, Hon. Dereck Vanua Member for Banks/Torres MASENG, Hon. Alfred Member for Luganville MOLISA, Hon. Sela Member for Santo/Malo/Aore NAKO, CHARLIE Member for Tanna NATAPEI, Hon. Edward Nipake Member for Other Southern Islands RAVUTIA, Hon. Albert Pisuvoke Member for Santo/Malo/Aore REGENVANU, Hon. Sethy John Member for Malekula SAMUEL, Hon. Elson Member for Malekula SIMON, Hon. Jimmy Member for Epi SINKER, Hon. Cecil Member for Banks/Torres ii SOKSOK, Hon, Vital Member for Malekula SONG, Hon. Keasipai Member for Tanna SOPE, Hon. Barak Tame Member for Efate STEVEN, Hon. Franky Member for Santo/Malo/Aore TAHI, Hon. Onneyn Member for Ambae TAMATA, Hon. James Adin Member for Maexvo TAMBISARI, Hon. Edward Member for Luganville TELUKLUK, Hon. Barthelemie Paul Member for Malekula VOHOR, Hon. Serge Member for Santo/Malo/Aore VUROBARAVU, Hon. Molieno Member for Santo/Malo/Aore WELES, Hon. Timothy Member for Santo/Malo/Aore PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU FIFTH LEGISLATURE OF PARLIAMENT FIRST ORDINARY SESSION OF PARLIAMENT MONDAY, 27 MARCH 1995 SPEAKER : The Hon, Alfred MASENG, Member for Luganville PRESENT : ABSENT : 1 The sitting commenced at 8.35 a.m. 2. The Speaker declared that a quorum was present and the sitting was legally constituted pursuant to Article 24 of the Constitution. 3. The sitting was suspended from 8.40 a.m. to 9.10 a.m. 4. Hon. Onnehyn TAHI, Member for Ambae, said the prayer. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 5. Prior to his address, His Excellency President Jean-Marie Leye Lenelghau, requested a one minute silence in remembrance of the late former Head of State, Chief and Pastor Fred Kalomuana Timakata. He then presented his speech. (Text appended) 6. The sitting was suspended at 9.55 a.m and resumed at 10.30 a.m. 7 The Speaker asked the Prime Minister to respond to the Presidential address 8. In his reply to the President’s speech, Prime Minister Maxime Carlot KORMAN, confirmed the fact that many Members of Parliament never toured their constituencies despite the fact that the budget provided for such tours. He expressed gratitude to the diplomatic missions within and outside Vanuatu for their help to the country and stated that it was government policy to increase the number of Diplomatic Missions in Vanuatu. In pointing out the significance of 1 the individual’s fundamental rights, he called on electoral officers to carry out their work more efficiently, so as to ensure that everyone who had the right to vote could do so. He assured the House that the government would consider drafting a law providing for the Ombudsman’s powers and duties. With reference to the cyclone damaged State House, he mentioned that the request to diplomatic Missions to fund the reconstruction of the building had not met with success and that the Government itself would look into the matter. He pointed out that it was the role of the Government and not the President to select those who should be awarded medals. He indicated that the 4 % turnover tax was reasonable and that small businesses whose turnover amounted to one to four million vatu would not be affected. With regard to price control, he called on the responsible body to ensure overall fairness in the pricing of goods. He pointed out concerning the Investment code that the Minister of Finance would look into the matter. He was thankful for the European Community’s assistance in funding the renovation of the schools and that twelve schools were currently being repaired. He pointed out with reference to hospitals that the government had plans to renovate all hospitals and not solely those of Lamap and Whitesands. Regarding the Forestry Agreement with New Zealand, he assured the House that his government would ensure that its conditions were complied with. Concerning expatriates in the country, he pointed out that they would never have access to land in Vanuatu. He stressed the importance of ensuring that citizenship was granted to those who truly deserved it and mentioned the government’s intention to amend the citizenship law so as to enable it to withdraw this privilege if necessary. As for liquor sales on weekends, the Prime Minister pointed out that it was up to individuals to control their liquor consumption. Over-regulation in this area would kill off entrepreneurial spirit. He concluded by emphasising the significance of the Presidential address and expressing regret that the State office had refused to supply a copy of the speech in advance at his request for the purposes of preparing his reply. 9 The Speaker called upon the Leader of the Opposition to reply to the Presidential address. 10. Hon. Donald KALPOKAS, Leader of the Opposition and Member for Efate, in his reply, pointed out the significance of the government’s duty to serve the people. He then expressed regret at the fact that certain MP’s had used their MP allocation to buy votes and added that Members of the Opposition did not have the same privilege to serve their people. He pointed out that all Diplomatic Missions deserved respect from the government. He called on the Electoral Office to carry out their work efficiently so as to ensure that all who had the right to vote would be able to. He reminded the House of individuals’ rights under the Constitution and the duty of legislators to ensure that these were preserved accordingly. He s tressed that the executive body should not i nterfere with t he judiciary and legislature. He also stressed that the Ombudsman should be independent and impartial at all levels. With regard to the Leadership Code, he felt that this was required, as the conduct of many of the nation’s leaders had been 2 brought into question and such a code would ensure proper conduct. As for the question of State House, he stated that it was high time it was rebuilt as the President had been on temporary accommodation for three Presidential terms. He pointed out that medals should be awarded solely on the grounds of merit or they would be meaningless. He expressed concern that Vanuatu might become too costly a destination for tourists, due to the increasingly high cost of living. He urged the government to urgently look into maintaining the schools and providing them with staff so as to ensure fair opportunities in education throughout the country. He emphasised with regard to health that prevention was better than cure, although it was still important to maintain curative facilities. He concluded by stating that no land should be transferred without consulting the people concerned, as there were strong cultural ties with the land in Vanuatu. 11. The Speaker expressed sympathy to the late Pastor Chief Fred Timakata’s family. 12. Hon. Prime Minister KORMAN proposed a resolution expressing Parliament’s sympathies following the death of Fred Timakata. (Text appended) 13. Hon. Donald KALPOKAS, Leader of the Opposition, seconded the resolution. 14. The motion was approved unanimously. 15. Hon. Prime Minister KORMAN proposed a second resolution to suspend the sitting until 2 p.m. 16. The motion was approved with 40 votes in favour and 6 abstentions. 17. Hon. Walter LINI, Member for P entecost, moved that the sitting be suspended until the next morning. 18. Hon. Prime Minister KORMAN moved that an amendment be made to Resolution II by replacing “2 p.m” with the words “until tomorrow morning”. 19. Hon. Donald KALPOKAS, Leader of the Opposition, seconded the motion. 20. The motion was approved unanimously. 21. The sitting was adjourned at 11.30 a.m. 3 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU FIFTH LEGISLATURE OF PARLIAMENT FIRST ORDINARY SESSION OF PARLIAMENT TUESDAY, 28 MARCH 1995 SPEAKER : The Hon. Alfred MASENG, Member for Luganville PRESENT : ABSENT : 1. The sitting commenced at 8.25 a.m. 2. Hon. Elison SAMUEL, Member for Malckula, said the prayer. 3. The Leader of Government Business and Member of Santo Rural, Hon. Frankie STEVENS, read the order of Bills to be tabled in Parliament. BILL FOR THE AGREEMENT ON ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL CO­ OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU AND THE GOVERNMETN OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (RATIFICATION) ACT NO. OF 1995 FIRST READING 4. Hon. Roman BATIK, Member for Malekula and Minister of Education, introduced the Bill, explained its purposes and moved that it be read a first time.