The Papua New Guinea government attempt to secure backing for changes to the law on no confidence votes, has failed in dramatic fashion.
The government wants the period before a vote of no confidence can be held extended from 18 months to 3 years.
It got the backing of 72 MPs of the 73 it needed, but 11 members of three parties were shown to have not voted in accordance with their party's earlier resolution, leading to parliament being suspended.
Our reporter in PNG, Peter Niesi, explains.
"Under the Integrity Law, various parties for constitutional amendments have to have a party resolution that is submitted to the Speaker of parliament before the vote is held. If any of them don't vote in line with the party resolution, then they are in danger of losing their seats as members of parliament."
Peter Niesi says the vote is likely to be held again but he says six Cabinet Ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister, Andrew Baing, are among those who voted incorrectly and their positions as MPs may now be in jeopardy.
A later report says the prime minister has sacked Mr Baing for abstaining and not supporting the government bid to extend the grace period
