A first attempt to extend the state of emergency failed yesterday after Leader of the Opposition Bishop Joseph Atherley challenged whether the vote was valid.
While it was passed on the second try, Atherley said he was not convinced even that was right as the entire process should have been done over after the first time was wrong.
It was his initial query that prompted a five-minute suspension of the House of Assembly and sent Speaker Arthur Holder into consultation with Deputy Clerk of Parliament Nigel Jones on the matter.
Upon resumption of the sitting, Holder conceded that the vote was indeed invalid as Atherley stated and at the proposal of Attorney General Dale Marshall, recommitted the resolution, which was then passed in a vote by a majority of the members.
However, Atherley told the Saturday Sun afterwards he remained unconvinced that the way the second vote was executed was proper. (AC)
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