Solomon Islands 1978 Constitution (reviewed 2018) - Page 6 of 17

Table of Contents

CHAPTER VI. THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE

Part I. Parliament

46. Establishment of Parliament

There shall be a national legislature for Solomon Islands, which shall consist of a single chamber and shall be known as the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.

47. Composition of Parliament

Parliament shall consist of persons elected in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution and, subject thereto, in such manner as may be prescribed by Parliament.
Each of the constituencies prescribed under Section 54(1) of this Constitution shall return one member of Parliament.

48. Qualifications for membership

Subject to the provisions of the next following section, a person shall be qualified for election as a member of Parliament if, and shall not be so qualified unless—

he is a citizen of Solomon Islands; and
he has attained the age of twenty-one years; and
he is registered as an elector, as prescribed by Parliament.

49. Disqualifications from membership

No person shall be qualified for election as a member of Parliament who—
1. is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state;
2. holds, or is acting in, any public office;
3. is an undischarged bankrupt, having been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law for the time being in force in any part of the Commonwealth;
4. is certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law for the time being in force in Solomon Islands;
5. is under sentence of death imposed on him by a court in any part of the world, or is under a sentence of imprisonment (by whatever name called) for a term of, or exceeding, six months, other than a sentence in lieu of a fine, but including a suspended sentence, imposed on him by such a court or substituted by competent authority for some other sentence imposed on him by such a court;
6. is disqualified from membership of Parliament or from registration as an elector or from voting at elections under any law for the time being in force in Solomon Islands relating to offences connected with elections; or
7. holds, or is acting in, or within 12 months before the date, prescribed by Parliament, by which nominations of candidates for the election must be received, has held or acted in any office the functions of which involve any responsibility for, or in connection with, the conduct of any election to Parliament or the compilation or revision of any electoral register for that purpose.
For the purpose of paragraph (e) of the preceding subsection two or more terms of imprisonment that are required to be served consecutively shall be regarded as a single term of imprisonment for the aggregate period of those terms.

50. Vacation of seats by member

A member of Parliament shall vacate his seat—

on a dissolution of Parliament;
if he resigns his seat by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker;
if he is elected as Speaker;
if he is appointed as Governor-General;
if he is absent from two consecutive meetings of Parliament without having obtained from the person presiding, before the termination of either meeting, permission to be or to remain absent therefrom unless, in the opinion of the Speaker (or, if the office of Speaker is vacant or he is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his office, the Deputy Speaker), such absence was due to causes beyond the member’s control;
if any circumstance arises that, if he were not a member of Parliament would cause him to be disqualified from election thereto by virtue of paragraph (a), (b), (d), (f) or (g) of subsection (1) of the, preceding section; or
in the circumstances mentioned in the next following section.

51. Vacation of seat on sentence, etc

Subject to the provisions of this section, if a member of Parliament is sentenced by a court in any part of the world to death or to imprisonment (by whatever name called) for a term of, or exceeding, six months, including a suspended sentence, he shall forthwith cease to perform his functions as a member of Parliament, and his seat in Parliament shall become vacant at the expiration of a period of thirty days thereafter:Provided that the Speaker (or, if the office of Speaker is vacant or he is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his office, the Deputy Speaker) may, at the request of the member, from time to time extend that period for thirty days to enable the member to pursue any appeal in respect of his conviction or sentence so however that extensions of time exceeding in the aggregate one hundred and fifty days shall not be given without the approval of Parliament signified by resolution.
If at any time before the member vacates his seat he is granted a free pardon or his conviction is set aside or his sentence is reduced to a term of imprisonment of less than six months or a punishment other than imprisonment is substituted, his seat in Parliament shall not become vacant under the provisions of this section, and he may again perform his function as a member of Parliament.
For the purposes of this section—
1. two or more terms of imprisonment that are required to be served consecutively shall be regarded as a single term of imprisonment for the aggregate period of those terms; and
2. no account shall be taken of a sentence of imprisonment imposed as an alternative to or in default of the payment of a fine.

52. Determination of questions as to membership

The High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any question whether—
1. any person has been validly elected as a member of Parliament; or
2. any member of Parliament has vacated his seat therein or is required by virtue of Section 51 of this Constitution to cease to perform his functions as a member.
No appeal shall lie from any decision of the High Court in proceeding under the preceding subsection.

53. Constituency Boundaries Commission

There shall be a Constituency Boundaries Commission consisting of—
1. a Chairman and two other members (in this section referred to as “the appointed members”) appointed by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission; and
2. the persons for the time being holding the offices of Chief Surveyor and Head of the Government’s Statistical Services, who shall be members of the Commission ex officio.
A person shall not be qualified to be an appointed member of the Commission if he is a member of, or a candidate for election to, Parliament or any provincial assembly.
Subject to the provisions of the next following subsection, an appointed member of the Commission shall vacate his office—
1. at the expiration of the period specified in the instrument by which he was appointed; or
2. if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of the Commission, would cause him to be disqualified from appointment as such.
The provisions of Section 126 of this Constitution shall apply to an appointed Member of the Constituency Boundaries Commission as they apply to a member of the Public Service Commission except that subsection (7) shall apply as if for the words “in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister” there were substituted the words “in accordance with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.”

54. Constituencies

For the purpose of the election of members of Parliament, Solomon Islands shall be divided into such number of constituencies, being not less than fifty and not more than seventy, and each constituency shall have such boundaries, as may be prescribed by Parliament by resolution on a recommendation of the Constituency Boundaries Commission in accordance with subsection (4) of this section.
The Constituency Boundaries Commission shall –
1. not later than ten years after the last review, review the number and boundaries of the constituencies whenever it considers such review to be desirable; and
2. make recommendations to Parliament for alterations in the number and boundaries of the constituencies.
In making recommendations under the preceding subsection, the Constituency Boundaries Commission shall have regard to the principle that the number of inhabitants of each constituency shall be as nearly equal as is reasonably practicable:Provided that the Commission may depart from the foregoing principle to the extent as they consider expedient in order to take account of the distribution of the population, the means of communication, and ethnic affiliations.
Parliament may, by resolution, approve or reject the recommendations of the Constituency Boundaries Commission but may not vary them; and, if so approved the recommendations shall have effect as from the next dissolution of Parliament.

55. Qualifications and disqualifications for registration as an elector

Subject to the provisions of this section, a person shall be entitled to be registered as an elector if, and shall not be so entitled for registration unless—
1. he is a citizen of Solomon Islands; and
2. he has attained the age of eighteen years.
No person shall be entitled to be registered as an elector—
1. in more than one constituency; or
2. in any constituency in which he is not ordinarily resident as prescribed by Parliament.
No person shall be entitled to be registered as an elector who—
1. is under sentence of death imposed on him by a court in any part of the world, or is under a sentence of imprisonment (by whatever name called) for a term of, or exceeding, six months, other than a sentence in lieu of a fine, but including a suspended sentence, imposed on him by such a court or substituted by competent authority for some other sentence imposed on him by such a court;
2. is certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged to be of unsound mind under any law for the time being in force in Solomon Islands; or
3. is disqualified from registration as an elector or from voting at elections under any law for the time being in force in Solomon Islands relating to offences connected with elections.
For the purposes of paragraph (a) of the preceding subsection two or more terms of imprisonment that are required to be served consecutively shall be regarded as a single term of imprisonment for the aggregate period of those terms.

56. Right to vote at elections

Any person who is registered as an elector in any constituency shall be entitled to vote in such manner as may be prescribed at any election for that constituency unless—
1. on the date appointed for polling he is under such sentence of death or serving such sentence of imprisonment as is referred to in paragraph (a) of Section 55(3) of this Constitution or (except in so far as may be otherwise prescribed) he is for any other reason unable to attend in person at the place and time appointed for polling; or
2. he is prohibited from so voting by any law in force in Solomon Islands because he holds or is acting in any office the functions of which involved responsibility for, or in connection with, the conduct of that election or because he has been convicted of any offence connected with elections.
No person shall vote at any election for any constituency who is not registered as an elector in that constituency.

57. Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission is established.
The Commission comprises:
1. a Chairperson; and
2. two other members; and
3. the Chief Electoral Officer appointed under section 57A.
The Governor-General may, acting on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, appoint the members mentioned in subsection (2)(a) and (b) (the “appointed members”).
The Chief Electoral Officer:
1. may take part in any deliberation of the Commission; but
2. must not vote on it.
At least one member of the Commission must be a woman.
Only the following persons are qualified to be appointed as appointed members of the Commission:
1. a former Governor-General;
2. a former Speaker;
3. a retired judge;
4. a former Member of Parliament;
5. a current or retired head of any religious organisation or of any civil society organisation;
6. a person who has held a distinguished career in the government or private sector;
7. a public officer of the permanent secretary level.
The following persons are not qualified to be appointed as appointed members of the Commission:
1. a member of or candidate for election to:
  1. Parliament; or
  2. a Provincial Assembly; or
  3. the Honiara City Council; or
2. a person who is a member of a political party registered under a law relating to political parties.
Subject to subsection (9), an appointed member vacates the office of the member:
1. when the member’s period of appointment expires; or
2. if any circumstances arise that, if the person were not an appointed member, would cause the person to be disqualified from appointment as a member.
An appointed member may be removed from office under section 126 as if the office of appointed member were an office to which that section applies.
However, reference to “in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister” in section 126(7) is modified to read “acting on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission”, for the purpose of subsection (9) of this section.
Any other terms and conditions of appointment of the appointed members are as prescribed.

57A. Chief Electoral Officer

The position of the Chief Electoral Officer is established as a public office.
The Chief Electoral Officer is the administrative head of the office responsible for electoral matters and other prescribed matters.
The Governor-General may, acting on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, appoint a suitably qualified and experienced person as the Chief Electoral Officer.
Other terms and conditions of appointment and other functions, duties and powers of the Chief Electoral Officer are as prescribed.

58. Functions of Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission shall have general responsibility for, and shall supervise, the registration of electors for the election of members of Parliament and the conduct of elections of such members and the Commission shall have such powers and other functions relating to such registration and such elections as may be prescribed.
Every proposed Bill and every proposed regulation or other instrument having the force of law relating to the registration of electors for the election of members of Parliament or to the election of such members shall be referred to the Electoral Commission at such time as shall give them sufficient opportunity to make comments thereon before the Bill is introduced in Parliament or, as the case may be, the regulation or other instrument is made.
The Electoral Commission may make such reports to the Governor-General concerning the matters under their supervision, or any draft Bill or instrument that is referred to them, as they may think fit, and if the Commission so request in any such report other than a report on a draft Bill or instrument, that report shall be laid before Parliament.

Part II. Legislation and Procedure in Parliament

59. Power to make laws

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Parliament may make laws for the peace, order and good government of Solomon Islands.
The laws referred to in this section shall take the form of Bills passed by Parliament; and when a Bill has been passed by Parliament it shall be presented to the Governor-General who shall assent to it forthwith on behalf of the Head of State, and when such assent is given the Bill shall become law.
No law shall come into operation until it has been published in the Gazette but Parliament may postpone the coming into operation of any such law and may make laws, subject to Section 10(4) of this Constitution, with retrospective effect.
All laws made by Parliament shall be styled “Acts of Parliament” and the words of enactment shall be “Enacted by the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.”

60. Introduction of Bills, etc

Except on the recommendation of the Cabinet signified by a Minister, Parliament shall not—

proceed upon any Bill (including any amendment to a Bill) which, in the opinion of the person presiding, makes provision for imposing or increasing any tax, for imposing or increasing any charge on the Consolidated Fund or other funds of Solomon Islands, or for altering any such charge otherwise than by reducing it, or for compounding or remitting any debt due to Solomon Islands;
proceed upon any motion (including any amendment to a motion) which would, in the opinion of the person presiding, if the motion were carried, require the introduction of such a Bill as is referred to in paragraph (a) to give effect to the motion; or
receive any petition which, in the opinion of the person presiding, requests that provision be made for any of the purposes aforesaid.

61. Alteration of Constitution

Subject to the provisions of this section, Parliament may alter this Constitution.
A Bill for an Act of Parliament to alter any of the following provisions of this Constitution, that is to say—
1. this section;
2. Chapters II, VII and IX;
3. Sections 46 to 58 (inclusive), and 108; and
4. Chapter XIV to the extent that it relates to any of the provisions specified in the preceding paragraphs,
shall not be passed by Parliament unless it is supported at the final voting on two separate readings in Parliament by the votes of not less than three-quarters of all the members of Parliament.
A Bill for an Act of Parliament to alter any provision of this Constitution (but which does not alter any of the provision of this Constitution as specified in subsection (2) of this section) shall not be passed by Parliament unless it is supported at the final voting on two separate readings in Parliament by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of Parliament.
Without prejudice to the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a Bill for an Act of Parliament under this section shall not be passed by Parliament unless—
1. notice of the Bill has been given to the Speaker at least four weeks before the first reading of the Bill in Parliament; and
2. the Bill is clearly expressed to be a Bill for an Act of Parliament to alter the Constitution.
In this section—
1. references to this Constitution or to any particular provision thereof include references to any other law in so far as that law alters the Constitution or, as the case may be, that provision; and
2. references to altering this Constitution or any particular provision thereof include references—
  1. to repealing it, with or without re-enactment thereof or the making of different provision in lieu thereof;
  2. to modifying it, whether by omitting or amending any of its provisions or inserting additional provisions in it or otherwise;
  3. to suspending its operation for any period, or terminating any such suspension; and
  4. to making any other provision that is repugnant to or otherwise inconsistent with it.

62. Rules of Procedure of Parliament

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may from time to time make, amend and revoke rules and orders for the regulation, and orderly conduct of its proceedings and the despatch of business, and for the passing, intituling and numbering of Bills.

63. Oath of allegiance

No member of Parliament shall be permitted to take part in the proceedings of Parliament (other than proceedings necessary for the purpose of this section) until he has made before Parliament an oath of allegiance in the form set out in Schedule 1 to this Constitution.

64. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker

Parliament shall at its first sitting after any general election elect—
1. from among persons who are qualified for election as a member of Parliament, a Speaker; and
2. from among its members, a Deputy Speaker.
The office of the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker shall become vacant—
1. if he announces the resignation of his office to Parliament or if, by writing under his hand addressed to Parliament and received by the Clerk to the Legislature, he resigns that office;
2. if Parliament passes a resolution supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members thereof requiring his removal;
3. in the case or the Speaker—
  1. if any circumstances arise that would cause him to be disqualified from election as a member of Parliament; or
  2. when Parliament first sits after a general election; or
4. In the case of the Deputy Speaker—
  1. if he ceases to be a member of Parliament or if, under the provision of Section 51 of this Constitution, he is required to cease to perform his functions as a member of Parliament;
  2. if he becomes a Minister;
  3. if he is elected as Speaker; or
  4. if he becomes a recognised leader in parliament of any political party.
If the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant Parliament shall, unless it is sooner dissolved, elect a person qualified under this section to fill the vacancy at its next sitting after the occurrence of the vacancy or as soon as practicable thereafter.
No business shall be transacted in Parliament (other than the election of a Speaker) at any time when the office of Speaker is vacant.
Save as otherwise provided in this Constitution or any other law, the Speaker shall not hold any other office.

65. Presiding in Parliament

The Speaker or, in his absence, the Deputy Speaker or, in their absence, a member of Parliament (not being a Minister) elected by Parliament for the sitting, shall preside at any sitting of Parliament:

Provided that at the first sitting of Parliament after any general election, until a Speaker is elected there shall preside the person who last held office as Speaker or, in his absence, the person who last held office as Deputy Speaker.

66. Leaders of opposition and independent groups in Parliament

If, at any time it appears to the Governor General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Speaker, that the leader of an opposition group, by reason of the numerical strength of that opposition group or by reason of the support which he receives from the members of opposition groups generally, should be appointed as Leader of the Official Opposition, the Governor-General shall appoint him as such leader.
If, at any time it appears to the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Speaker, that the leader of an independent group, by reason of the numerical strength of that independent group or by reason of the support which he receives from the members of independent groups generally, should be appointed as Leader of the Independent Members, the Governor-General shall appoint him as such leader.
If the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Speaker, considers that the Leader of the Official Opposition is no longer the person who, if the office of Leader of the Official Opposition were vacant, would be appointed thereto under subsection (1) of this section, the Governor-General shall remove the Leader of the Official Opposition from office.
If the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Speaker, considers that the Leader of the Independent Members is no longer the person who, if the office of Leader of the Independent Members were vacant, would be appointed thereto under subsection (2) of this section, the Governor-General shall remove the Leader of the Independent Members from office.
Before tendering advice to the Governor-General under subsections (1) and (3) of this section, the Speaker shall consult with the leaders and members of the opposition groups and such other persons as he deems appropriate, and before tendering advice under subsections (2) and (4) of this section, the Speaker shall consult with the leaders and members of the independent groups and such other persons as he deems appropriate.
If the Leader of the Official Opposition or the Leader of the dependent Members—
1. is required under Section 51 of this Constitution to cease to perform his functions as a member of Parliament;
2. otherwise ceases to be such a member; or
3. is elected as Deputy Speaker,
his office shall become vacant.
For the purposes of this section—
- “opposition group” means a group of members of Parliament in opposition to the Government, whose number includes a leader who commands their support;
  
  “independent group” means a group of members of Parliament whose members are independent both of the Government and of any opposition group and whose number includes a leader who commands their support.
Parliament may by resolution supported by an absolute majority of the members thereof prescribe the minimum number of members of opposition or independent groups there must be before the Leader of the Official Opposition or of the Independent Members, as the case may be, is appointed under this section.

67. Quorum

If objection is taken by any member or Parliament present that there are present in Parliament (besides the person presiding) less than half of all the members thereof and, after such interval as may be prescribed in the rules or procedure of Parliament the person presiding ascertains that the number of members present is still less than half of all the members, he shall thereupon adjourn Parliament.

68. Proceedings in Parliament

Subject to the provisions of the preceding section, Parliament shall not be disqualified from the transaction of business by reason of any vacancy in its membership, and any proceeding in Parliament shall be valid notwithstanding that some person who was not entitled to do so took part in those proceedings.

69. Privileges of Parliament and its members

Parliament may prescribe the privileges, immunities and powers of Parliament and its members.

69A. Members of Parliament (Entitlements) Commission

There shall be a Members of Parliament (Entitlements) Commission consisting of the Chairman and four other members.
The Chairman and two of the members (in this section referred to as the “appointed members”) shall be appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The person for the time being holding the office of the Minister of Finance, and the person for the time being holding the office of the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee appointed under Standing Order 69 of the Standing Orders of the National Parliaments of Solomon Islands, shall be the other two members.
A person shall not be qualified to be appointed member of the Commission if he is a member of, or a candidate for election to, Parliament.
The office of the Chairman and an appointed member shall become vacant—
1. at the expiration of such period not exceeding three years as may be specified in the instrument by which he was appointed; or
2. on death, or by resignation in writing addressed to the Governor-General; or
3. upon his removal, in relation to which the provisions of Section 126 shall apply as they apply in relation to the removal of a member of the Public Service Commission.
The Chairman and the members shall be entitled to receive a daily allowance at the rate from time to time prescribed by the Constitutional Offices (Salaries) Act 1978 (No. 6 of 1978) in respect of the members of the Public Service Commission.

69B. Powers of the Members of Parliament (Entitlements) Commission

Power to determine the entitlements of the Parliamentarians and to amend them by yearly review shall vest in the Members of Parliament (Entitlements) Commission.
In the exercise of their powers, the Members of Parliament (Entitlements) Commission shall—
1. consider such representation as they may receive from persons or body of persons, within such time as may be notified by them;
2. have regard to such information as may be supplied to them by the Government, Parliament or any other organisation in relation to the following matters—
  1. the state of the national economy and the financial position of the Government;
  2. movements in the level of the pay and other entitlements admissible to other persons in employment; and
  3. changes in the retail price index and other relevant indicators showing the cost of maintaining the standard of living that Parliamentarians might reasonably be expected to enjoy;
3. make regulations and having made them, amend those regulations, in accordance with Section 137, providing for the following matters—
  1. the scales of salaries and other entitlements payable to Parliamentarians;
  2. the terms, conditions and manner of payment of such salaries and entitlements and of loans and advances on such salaries;
  3. exemptions of such salaries and entitlements from taxes and other liabilities;
  4. such other matters including matters specified in subsection (3) as may facilitate the discharge of their functions as Parliamentarians.
In making or amending the regulations, the Members of (Entitlements) Commission shall—
1. consider in relation to Parliamentarians and their families the following matters, namely, accommodation during sittings of Parliament, housing, medical treatment, internal transport, external transport, travelling imprest, death and retirement benefits, appointment and terminal grants, advances and loans, additional payment for service in committees of Parliament, insurance and such other matters as may facilitate the discharge of their function as Parliamentarians;
2. secure that the salaries and other entitlements of Parliamentarians increase at no less a rate than the rate of increase, if any, of sale entitlements (taken as a whole) of the public officers.
Every regulation made or amended under this section—
1. shall come into force on 1st April—
  1. of the year in which it is made, if it is made on that day; or
  2. of the year next following the date on which it is made, if on any other date;
  Provided that the Members of Parliament (Entitlements) Commission may, in order to comply with the requirements of subsection (3)(b) enforce any such regulation from such other date prospectively or retrospectively, as they may specify in that regulation; and
2. shall, during the period such regulation is in force, have effect as if it were a provision of this Constitution.

69C. Admissibility of entitlements to be in accordance with the regulations

Upon the commencement of the regulations made or amended under Section 69B, no entitlement and no exemption of an entitlement from any tax or other liability shall be admissible to any Parliamentarian except in accordance with those regulations.
In this section and in Sections 69A and 69B—
1. “entitlements” include salaries, allowances and such other benefits, services or facilities, whether in cash or otherwise, as the Members of Parliament (Entitlements) Commission may consider it necessary to be provided to the Parliamentarians to enable them to maintain the dignity of their office; and
2. “Parliamentarian” means the Prime Minister, Ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Independent Group, the Deputy Speaker and all other members of Parliament, whether or not Parliament is in session or is sitting;
3. “year” means a period of twelve months commencing on 1st April and ending with 31st March next following.

70. Proceedings of Parliament to be held in public

The proceedings of Parliament shall be held in public except in so far as its rules of procedure otherwise provide.

71. Voting

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, all questions proposed for decision in Parliament shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting.
If the person presiding is—
1. the Speaker, he shall have neither an original nor a casting vote;
2. the Deputy Speaker or a member elected by Parliament for the sitting under Section 65 of this Constitution, he shall not have an original vote but shall have and shall exercise a casting vote if on any question the votes are equally divided.
Subject to the provisions of subsection (2)(b) of this section, if upon any question the votes are equally divided the motion shall be declared lost.

72. Sessions of Parliament

Subject to the provisions of this section, each session of Parliament shall be held at such place within Solomon Islands and shall commence at such time as the Governor-General may appoint by proclamation published in the Gazette.
Sessions of Parliament shall be held so that a period of twelve months does not intervene between the end of one session and the first sitting of Parliament in the next session.

73. Prorogation and dissolution

If at any time Parliament decides by resolution supported by the votes of an absolute majority of the members of Parliament that Parliament should be prorogued or dissolved, the Governor-General shall forthwith prorogue or, as the case may be, dissolve Parliament by proclamation published in the Gazette.
A motion for a resolution under the preceding subsection shall not be passed by Parliament unless notice of the motion has been given to the Speaker at least seven clear days before it is introduced.
Parliament, unless sooner dissolved under subsection (1) of this section, shall continue for four years from the date of the first sitting of Parliament after any general election and shall then stand dissolved.

74. General elections

There shall be a general election at such time within four months of every dissolution of Parliament as the Governor-General shall appoint by proclamation published in the Gazette.