16 May 2019

Vanuatu Supreme Court reserves ruling on amendment

8:18 pm on 16 May 2019

Vanuatu's Supreme Court has reserved its ruling on a proposed constitutional amendment that was endorsed by parliament.

Vanuatu president Tallis Obed Moses

Obed Moses Tallis Photo: Dan McGarry

Vanuatu's Supreme Court has reserved its ruling on a proposed constitutional amendment that was endorsed by parliament.

The country's President, Obed Moses Tallis, requested the court's opinion before assenting to the amendment that would create the position of Parliamentary Secretary.

The Daily Post newspaper reported Mr Moses Tallis wanted to clarify whether the amendment required a referendum.

The Solicitor General Fredrick Gilu, who appeared on behalf of the Speaker, argued that because the amendment would not affect the parliamentary system a referendum was not required as set out under Article 86 of the Constitution.

The court will resume to hear the judgement on 20 May.