A total of ten bills will be debated during the first ordinary sitting of Vanuatu’s new 12th legislature.
The sitting will commence on 11 June and will run to 19 June.
Following the March 2020 National Election, the new Parliament met for the first time on 20 April.
The bills to be debated concern mainly economic and financial regulatory matters.
A Supplementary Appropriation bill concerns the economic stimulus package the government has developed to cope with a COVID-19 economic downturn and other government expenses.
Another bill will concern Members of Parliament’s entitlements which were the subject of comment and debate during the recent National election.
Raymond Manuake, the Parliamentary Clerk said these bills are:
– Bill for the Financial Dealers Licensing (Amendment) Act No. of 2020
– Bill for the National Payment System Act No. of 2020
– Bill for the Value-Added Tax (Amendment) Act No. of 2020
– Bill for the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act No. of 2020
– Bill for the Companies (Amendment) Act No. of 2020
– Bill for the Tax Administration (Amendment) No. of 2020.
– Bill for the Parliament (Members’ Expenses and Allowances) (Amendment) Act No. of 2020.
– Bill for the Supplementary Appropriation (2020) Act No. of 2020.
Two other bills for debate will deal with foreign and social issues. They are the Bill for the Treaty between the Solomon Islands and the Republic of Vanuatu concerning their Maritime Boundaries (Ratification) Act No. of 2020 and the Bill for the Adoption Act No. of 2020.
During the first meeting of the Paraliament, Bob Loughman of the Vanua’aku Pati was elected Prime Minister. His coalition government includes the Vanua’aku Pati, the Union of Moderate Parties, the National United Party and other minor parties.
