A walk out? HoA lost quorum when ‘Vote of No Confidence’ was to be read!
It appears that most Government Members had left the Chambers, along with the absence of Hon Marlon A Penn (R8) who is leaving for a Commonwealth Parliamentary Trip with other HoA Members to Australia.
With the lack of a quorum of seven, which does not include the Attorney General, this was brought to the attention of the Hon Speaker Corine N. George-Massicote in keeping with Standing Orders 9: 1 & 2.
Hon George-Massicote then requested that the Sergeant of Arms summon Members back to the Chambers; however, most of the Government Members appeared to have already left the compound since she had placed the House on recess after Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), the Minister for Communications and Works, had finished a motion to add a new Committee to the House. The motion was passed.
Opposition uses the 'walkout' as a tool
Without a quorum, the motion on the Vote of No Confidence was not heard; therefore, the Speaker was forced to adjourn the HoA. It is unclear when the motion will be heard, as a new Sitting will start on November 11, 2024, when the Budget Address will be delivered.
The Opposition has walked out of the HoA on more than one occasion.
With the Sitting of Tuesday, October 29, 2024, after the Supplementary Additional Provision (SAP) was passed, the Opposition, with the exception of Hon Melvin M Turnbull (R2), had left the Chambers. This resulted in the SAP debate being put off until last evening, October 30, 2024, even though all Government Members were present and there was a quorum.
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