VICE Minister for Treasury Solen Loifa has described the call by Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomane for a public debate outside of parliament as “diminishing for a national leader and the call alone disrespects the National Parliament”.
“The Deputy Opposition Leader is a member of the National Parliament and by calling for street-corner debates on national issues and interest outside of the National Parliament where he is supposed to debate diminishes his position as national leader and disrespects our National Parliament as well,” he said.
Loifa stressed that since independence in 1975, issues and matters of national interest were always given their prominence on the floor of the National Parliament.
“Our great leaders of the past never made a fanfare to address issues.
“They have stood gracefully with dignity to address national issues patriotically at the rightful venue.
“When the elected leaders choose alternate venues to debate public policies or issues of national interest outside of the National Parliament, it dilutes its prominence as the revered people’s house.”
“The National leaders are given a rare opportunity on the floor of the National Parliament to debate public policy issues and matters of national importance,” Loifa said.
He said over the years, governments were formed on the floor, and Bills passed on the floor, issues of national interest were debated and deliberated on the floor.
“Why disrespect the National Parliament by wanting to bring such debates from its rightful place of importance to other insignificant venues?” the Vice Minister asked.
He further described the call as nonsensical and only serve opposition’s political vendetta.
Loifa said the opposition need to outline and talk about their policies as the alternative government.
“Opposition must pronounce their alternate policies and offer alternate solutions for the issues that has been alluded about to the country rather than just mere political point scoring.
“There is no need for unnecessary public stress and anxiety when debating matters outside of National Parliament.
“Unnecessary rallies and gatherings have caused public anxiety and political groupings that disrupts work, businesses and services.
“We as mandated leaders should be mindful of our conduct because our actions can contribute to public disorder even if our intentions are noble.
“It is now time to work diligently at the district and provincial level to arrest the issues which when collectively put together will contribute to greater National outcome.”
“I am a first term MP like the Hon Deputy Opposition Leader and I am happy and willing to debate issues with him on the floor of the work we are doing and challenges we are facing in our districts and also the issues of national importance.
“Furthermore, as mandated leaders we should be busy serving our people with limited funds ear marked for the people and working towards producing results”.
“The good Deputy Opposition Leader was the former Vice Minister for National Planning and he would know very well how national budgets are formulated, expanded and reported.”
“There is a lawful process in place as stipulated under law on the report of how the national budget were expanded in a financial year.
“When such sanctioned report is presented, the opposition can have the opportunity to debate at the appropriate venue.”
