Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has reminded Opposition Whip, Lynda Tabuya, that when a ruling is made by the Speaker, no point of order can be raised.

The Speaker gave an earful to Opposition Members of Parliament, Pio Tikoduadua and Ms Tabuya, during yesterday’s sitting after he had made a ruling to remove a motion.

Ms Tabuya had raised a point of order on an alleged breach of standing orders on Thursday when the Speaker interjected and reminded her that what she was referring to through the point of order had nothing to do with his ruling.

“When the Speaker makes a ruling, there is no point of order, that is the procedure,” he said.

The motion set forth by Mr Tikoduadua, which called for amendments to the Sugar Industry Amendment Act of 2015, was dismissed by the Speaker.

Ratu Epeli informed Parliament that a motion on its own authority could not amend or repeal primary legislation.

“It is not standard legislative practice to amend an amending law as the motion seeks to do,” Ratu Epeli said.

“If Parliament were to seek to revert the amendments made under the Amendment Act, the proper way to do so would be to amend the original law that is the Sugar Industry Act of 1984.”

He also reminded members of the implications of not undertaking adequate and further research when dealing with laws.

NFP MPs Mr Tikoduadua and Lenora Qereqeretabua walked out of Parliament in protest. Mr Tikoduadua returned to deliver end of week statement.

Edited by Percy Kean