Ketan Ends Speech When asked to Explain

Opposition MP Ketan Lal abruptly ended his speech in Parliament after being challenged to identify the actual provisions of the Constitution Bill he was criticising.

Lal was reading extensively from a prepared script, delivering a string of broad criticisms, political catchphrases and general statements about democracy, accountability, equality and constitutional reform, when Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Hon. Siromi Turaga rose on a point of order.

Turaga questioned why Lal, despite speaking at length, had failed to identify specific provisions of the Bill that formed the basis of his criticism.

“He has not referred to a specific section on the amendment. He’s like reading an essay,” Turaga told Parliament.

Turaga challenged Lal to move beyond the broad rhetoric and point directly to the provisions he disagreed with.

“If you said it’s not legitimate, pick out which provision is not,” he said.

Turaga also took aim at Lal over the consultation process, questioning his criticism when he had not participated in the consultations.

“If you have not participated in the consultation, you can come here and complain,” Turaga said.

The Speaker then intervened and referred Parliament to Standing Order 85, ruling that debate during the second reading was confined to the principles and merits of the Bill and was not an opportunity for general criticism.

The Speaker directed Lal to address definite and particular parts of the Bill rather than continuing with general commentary.

Lal attempted to respond, saying his understanding was that members could not speak directly on the contents of the Bill, and was again shut down by the speaker.

“I will end my address here. And I cannot support the second reading of this bill,” Lal said.

Following the exchange, a number of readers questioned in comments and messages to Duavata News whether Lal had actually read and properly understood the Constitution Amendment Bill before reading his criticism from a piece of paper.

Those questions were fuelled by the fact that, despite speaking at length, Lal did not identify a specific provision when challenged on the floor of Parliament and instead chose to end his address and sit down.

Lal has publicly declared his support for the newly formed One Nation Party.