A motion sought by the Speaker of the House to declare the seat of an opposition Member of Parliament vacant headed into a judicial settlement conference on Friday. 

Speaker Papalii Lio Masipau initially filed an application before the Supreme Court for declaratory orders to vacate the seat of M.P. for Sagaga No.1 seat, Loau Keneti Sio. 

The matter was called behind closed doors in chambers before Supreme Court Justice, Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke. 

Lawyers Patrick Fepuleai and Steve Chan Chui represented Loau while the Attorney General’s Office lawyers acted for the Speaker. 

Loau was asked if the parties had reached a settlement following the conference, he said nothing had been settled yet and the matter will be called again on 17 June. 

The Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) member was charged under clause 46 (2d) of the Constitution and sections 141 and 142 of the Electoral Act 2019 by the Speaker last year. 

The senior opposition M.P. responded to the parliamentary charge in a parliament sitting concerning the charges that stem from his absence in July’s sitting. 

Loau told the House his reasons were made clear during a meeting with the Speaker on the matter but it appeared the Speaker is not satisfied with his explanation. 

“I have submitted my written response and explained the reasons why I was not present during the meeting,” said Loau. 

“I believe we have different views. I deny the charge as you referred to in your announcement and I feel that I had followed the proper procedures under the Standing Orders in my absence.” 

Following the member's explanation the Speaker told the House the matter is not subject to any debate. 

Clause 46 (2) of the Constitution covers questions on the M.P.'s seat becoming vacant while the 141 provision of the Electoral Act 2019 looks into the vacation of a seat in the Legislative Assembly and 142 refers to the charge with the vacation of a seat. 

The provision states that an M.P. can be charged when on three consecutive sitting days he or she fails, without permission of the Speaker to attend the sitting of the Legislative Assembly in the manner and for the period prescribed under the Standing Orders.