The newly elected Member of Parliament for West Guadalcanal, Hon. Mary Daniella Zae Garu, was officially sworn in this morning during a brief ceremony held in the National Parliament Chamber, prior to the commencement of the day’s proceedings.
Hon. Garu secured her seat through a by-election held on 4 June 2025, and now formally assumes her role in the House.
The oath of allegiance was administered by the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Jefferson Hallu, in accordance with Section 63 of the Constitution, which requires that all Members of Parliament must take their oath before participating in the proceedings of the House.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Morris Toiraena, informed Parliament of the appointment of a new Leader of the Independent Group. He advised that, pursuant to Section 66(2) of the Constitution, His Excellency the Governor-General had, on 6 June 2025, appointed the Member of Parliament for East Malaita Hon. Manasseh Maelanga as the Leader of the Independent Group in Parliament.
Parliament then proceeded with the remainder of its scheduled business before adjourning to Monday, 4 August 2025, to allow the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sufficient time to scrutinise the 2025 Supplementary Appropriation Bill.
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