PERMANENT secretaries and government technical advisors are soon to be banned from entering the parliament chamber during parliament sessions when a new parliamentary standing order comes into effect.

Member of Parliamentary House Committee (PHC) and Leader of Independent Group, Dr Derek Sikua made the revelation yesterday on the floor of parliament.

Dr Sikua said ministers will not have the services of their permanent secretaries to turn to during question time or when considering bills during the committee of the whole house or financial bills during the committee of supply.

“As member of the PHC, I forewarn ministers and Permanent secretaries that the House Committee is reviewing the standing orders.

“A new standing order we are looking at is introducing a standing order to ban visitors in the parliamentary chambers. This means no person will be allowed in the chambers except MPs, Attorney General, Speaker, and Clerk and parliament staff,” Hon Sikua said.

He said the PHC secretariat is being tasked with the responsibility in investigating what the practice is in other jurisdiction and parliaments.

And once the investigation is completed and necessary arrangements are in place, the committee will make a final decision on this matter.

“Practically this will mean permanent secretaries and technical advisors will be sitting in a room in the parliament, apart from the chamber and communicating with ministers by means of Information Technology (IT).

“This is a common practice in most parliaments and on the upside it forces ministers to be on top of their game all the time to speak.

“We cannot rely on our PS all the time to speak,” he stressed.

He said this will eradicate the practice of ministers sitting in the front row, moving to the back row and occupying seats belonging to another minister or backbencher.

Hon Sikua however, said this practice must be discouraged, because it shows disrespect to other MPs.