PNG government challenges GG ruling

Ilya Gridneff, AAP Papua New Guinea Correspondent
December 17, 2010

Papua New Guinea's government has challenged a court ruling that found the governor-general's appointment was invalid and parliament must resit by January 20.

As the year comes to a close, PNG remains in confusion regarding the legal status of numerous office holders and the stability of the National Alliance-led government.

PNG's Post Courier newspaper reports the government is challenging the Supreme Court ruling, by arguing the court may have "misapprehended the constitution" and cannot order parliament to reconvene.

Last week, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare voluntarily stepped aside to face a leadership tribunal for misconduct in office, regarding allegations he failed to lodge financial statements.

Sam Abal is now acting prime minister, but it is not clear who is the acting governor-general, after the supreme court deemed Sir Paulias Matane's controversial June re-appointment invalid.

The National and Post Courier newspapers both reported Sir Paulias will put his name forward to run again as governor-general.

PNG's National newspaper on Friday reported the higher education minister is the acting governor-general, but government representatives would not explain why it was not Speaker Jeffery Nape.

The Supreme Court ruling on the governor-general also criticised Mr Nape for his role in the unconstitutional appointment.

The legal status of several new ministers who were sworn in earlier this month in a snap cabinet reshuffle, seen as a pre-emptive strike by the prime minister facing the leadership tribunal, is also under scrutiny.

Sir Michael's leadership tribunal is not expected until February at the earliest, the Post Courier reports.

PNG's courts shut down on Monday for their Christmas break and do not return until the end of January.

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