PNGBLOGS

PNGBLOGS Contributor OneCountry responds to critics and makes a point about why the Constitution is supreme, I want to thank you for your comments and contribution. It shows, like me you have all been thinking seriously about what is going on in our country. You have a right to express your views, and that is a great thing. You express them because we live in a democracy. However, that is now in question and put at issue here. We are entering an uncertain phase in our nations history, an unfamiliar place that does not accord with all notions of democracy as we know. The whole nation has been in turmoil. The opinion leaders have been playing politics with the whole thing. Commentators have been on a feeding frenzy, misleading the whole nation. Some of you want me to give my name, but you sign off in your pen names. Others of you call me a coward. Still others call me things that are indecent to repeat. Why? Have I rocked your little comfort zones with the truth? Have I o

PNGBLOGS Contributor OneCountry responds to critics and makes a point about why the Constitution is supreme, I want to thank you for your comments and contribution. It shows, like me you have all been thinking seriously about what is going on in our country. You have a right to express your views, and that is a great thing. You express them because we live in a democracy. However, that is now in question and put at issue here. We are entering an uncertain phase in our nations history, an unfamiliar place that does not accord with all notions of democracy as we know. The whole nation has been in turmoil. The opinion leaders have been playing politics with the whole thing. Commentators have been on a feeding frenzy, misleading the whole nation. Some of you want me to give my name, but you sign off in your pen names. Others of you call me a coward. Still others call me things that are indecent to repeat. Why? Have I rocked your little comfort zones with the truth? Have

As Prime Minister Peter O’Neill settles into his new role, Papua New Guineans should be asking why this man has never been prosecuted for his role in the NPF tower fraud and why our Nations MPs thinks it a good idea to have an accused fraudster in charge of the country. This is what the Post Courier reported on 22 Nov 2002: FORMER businessman and now government minister Peter O’Neill “definitely benefited from proceeds of the NPF Tower Fraud,’’ the final report of the NPF Commission of Inquiry states. The report says the commission made a thorough study of Port Moresby First Real Estate’s accounts and traced all monies paid in and out on account of Mr O’Neill. “This conclusively showed that Mr O’Neill had definitely benefitted from the proceeds of the NPF Tower Fraud,” it said. “It also shows that despite his denials, Mr O’Neill is the beneficial owner of Port Moresby First Real Estate.” The report says it is clear that there is a relationship between Jimmy Maladina and Mr

As Prime Minister Peter O’Neill settles into his new role, Papua New Guineans should be asking why this man has never been prosecuted for his role in the NPF tower fraud and why our Nations MPs thinks it a good idea to have an accused fraudster in charge of the country. This is what the Post Courier reported on 22 Nov 2002: FORMER businessman and now government minister Peter O’Neill “definitely benefited from proceeds of the NPF Tower Fraud,’’ the final report of the NPF Commission of Inquiry states. The report says the commission made a thorough study of Port Moresby First Real Estate’s accounts and traced all monies paid in and out on account of Mr O’Neill. “This conclusively showed that Mr O’Neill had definitely benefitted from the proceeds of the NPF Tower Fraud,” it said. “It also shows that despite his denials, Mr O’Neill is the beneficial owner of Port Moresby First Real Estate.” The report says it is clear that there is a relationship between Jimmy Malad

By OBSERVER * The constitutional crisis that Papua New Guinea is facing today has far deeper implications that it appears. Even if the impasse is settled politically, either in favour of Sir Michael Somare or Peter O’Neill, the outcome will have far-reaching constitutional consequences that will affect future issues of similar nature and questions of good governance according to law. Both camps are claiming to be “abiding by the rule of law”.  That is a big statement and it is confusing the people. Most people do not seem to care, all they want is normalcy while many more are simply emotional and they want a government that delivers what they want. These emotions and sentiments aside, the question of which side is right is a constitutional issue which can be authoritatively answered by the Supreme Court. Parliament is the ultimate authority but it is also bound by the Constitution and it has to carry out its business according to the meaning and spirit of the Constitution. It

By OBSERVER * The constitutional crisis that Papua New Guinea is facing today has far deeper implications that it appears. Even if the impasse is settled politically, either in favour of Sir Michael Somare or Peter O’Neill, the outcome will have far-reaching constitutional consequences that will affect future issues of similar nature and questions of good governance according to law. Both camps are claiming to be “abiding by the rule of law”.  That is a big statement and it is confusing the people. Most people do not seem to care, all they want is normalcy while many more are simply emotional and they want a government that delivers what they want. These emotions and sentiments aside, the question of which side is right is a constitutional issue which can be authoritatively answered by the Supreme Court. Parliament is the ultimate authority but it is also bound by the Constitution and it has to carry out its business according to the meaning and spirit of the Constit

Papua New Guinea has deported an Australian businessman, reportedly because of his involvement in local politics. The foreign affairs ministry in PNG told Radio Australia the prime minister Peter O'Neill issued the orders for New Zealand-born Graham Osborne to be removed from the country. The government, which recently faced weeks of political unrest, have accused Mr Osborne of meddling in PNG's affairs. Mr Osborne, who runs a business in Port Moresby, said he had no idea why he's been told to leave. "I'm not involved in any political parties, I am not a member of any political pary. But I am very good friend of the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, so maybe that is the reason," he said. Graham Osborne runs the Ela Beach Brasserie. The Post Courier reports that immigration and police officers went to his house early on Wednesday with a search warrant. They were looking for a unregistered gun, drugs and pornography but the paper quotes a friend of Mr Osbor

Papua New Guinea has deported an Australian businessman, reportedly because of his involvement in local politics. The foreign affairs ministry in PNG told Radio Australia the prime minister Peter O'Neill issued the orders for New Zealand-born Graham Osborne to be removed from the country. The government, which recently faced weeks of political unrest, have accused Mr Osborne of meddling in PNG's affairs. Mr Osborne, who runs a business in Port Moresby, said he had no idea why he's been told to leave. "I'm not involved in any political parties, I am not a member of any political pary. But I am very good friend of the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, so maybe that is the reason," he said. Graham Osborne runs the Ela Beach Brasserie. The Post Courier reports that immigration and police officers went to his house early on Wednesday with a search warrant. They were looking for a unregistered gun, drugs and pornography but the paper quotes a frie

Full marks to Peter Donigi for coming up with a treatise on PNG Constitutional law, teaching us all on the finer points of the Constitution as it related to separation of powers and dismissal of a Prime Minister and member of Parliament 18 months before the issuing of writs etc etc. Come on Peter, really??? Is that the best you can do??? If so, who has paid you and how much Peter Donigi...pronounced Doo-nigi in Arapesh! Thank you for regurgitating Constitutional provisions that we common men on the street have since had ourselves well acquainted with. You are to be admired for putting your opinions. That shows you have courage. But your courage is unfortunately misplaced. Your whole theory and thesis collapses and comes crumbling down on your self because you miss the most fundamental issue that is staring at you in the face. You are assuming what Parliament has done over the course of the first Nape led coup (in declaring a vacancy in office and installing Peter O'Ne

Full marks to Peter Donigi for coming up with a treatise on PNG Constitutional law, teaching us all on the finer points of the Constitution as it related to separation of powers and dismissal of a Prime Minister and member of Parliament 18 months before the issuing of writs etc etc. Come on Peter, really??? Is that the best you can do??? If so, who has paid you and how much Peter Donigi...pronounced Doo-nigi in Arapesh! Thank you for regurgitating Constitutional provisions that we common men on the street have since had ourselves well acquainted with. You are to be admired for putting your opinions. That shows you have courage. But your courage is unfortunately misplaced. Your whole theory and thesis collapses and comes crumbling down on your self because you miss the most fundamental issue that is staring at you in the face. You are assuming what Parliament has done over the course of the first Nape led coup (in declaring a vacancy in office and installing Pete

WE owe Sir Michael Somare for what he has done for PNG.  He has mastered the art of uniting a nation of diverse cultures. The best gift Sir Michael has given PNG is to ensure the Constitution has not  been compromised. He also gave us a 40-year blueprint called Vision 2050. The amended Prime Minister and NEC Act by parliament to unseat him should be interpreted and clarified by the courts.   Sir Michael is the legitimate East Sepik regional member. The East Sepik provincial government’s Supreme Court reference showed the confidence East Sepiks have in Sir Michael. He must be reinstated as MP. Once he has been reinstated, I urge Sir Michael to lead an effective opposition to keep a check and balance on the government. I appeal to all MPs to give our founding father an honourable exit after the writs are issued in April. I urge the East Sepiks and the Somare family to allow Sir Michael to retire. He has been bestowed the title of the “father of the nation”. No one can match his achieveme

WE owe Sir Michael Somare for what he has done for PNG.  He has mastered the art of uniting a nation of diverse cultures. The best gift Sir Michael has given PNG is to ensure the Constitution has not  been compromised. He also gave us a 40-year blueprint called Vision 2050. The amended Prime Minister and NEC Act by parliament to unseat him should be interpreted and clarified by the courts.   Sir Michael is the legitimate East Sepik regional member. The East Sepik provincial government’s Supreme Court reference showed the confidence East Sepiks have in Sir Michael. He must be reinstated as MP. Once he has been reinstated, I urge Sir Michael to lead an effective opposition to keep a check and balance on the government. I appeal to all MPs to give our founding father an honourable exit after the writs are issued in April. I urge the East Sepiks and the Somare family to allow Sir Michael to retire. He has been bestowed the title of the “father of the nation”. No one can match his

By PETER DONIGI Both the  O’Neill camp and the Somare camp claim that the Constitution must be upheld. There is no question about the desire of both parties to uphold the Constitution. Many other community leaders also expressed similar sentiments. The problem however, is the nature of the constitutional law. No one has yet expressed what the constitutional law says about this conflict. People use phrases like “uphold constitutional law” or “respect the rule of law” or “respect the ruling of the court” to justify their positions. What is the constitutional law that must be upheld and respected? I will try to be brief in my explanation. First, the constitution provides for separation of powers between the three arms of government. This is provided for in Section 99 of the Constitution. Second, separation of powers means simply that no arm of government must interfere with the workings of the other arm of government. Third, I have read the orders of the Supreme Court. I have

By PETER DONIGI Both the  O’Neill camp and the Somare camp claim that the Constitution must be upheld. There is no question about the desire of both parties to uphold the Constitution. Many other community leaders also expressed similar sentiments. The problem however, is the nature of the constitutional law. No one has yet expressed what the constitutional law says about this conflict. People use phrases like “uphold constitutional law” or “respect the rule of law” or “respect the ruling of the court” to justify their positions. What is the constitutional law that must be upheld and respected? I will try to be brief in my explanation. First, the constitution provides for separation of powers between the three arms of government. This is provided for in Section 99 of the Constitution. Second, separation of powers means simply that no arm of government must interfere with the workings of the other arm of government. Third, I have read the orders of the Supreme Court. I

PNG should be proud that our West Minister Parliamentary System of Government has come of age and matured and is very vibrant. The recent constitutional crisis has truly demonstrated that. The Laws and Courts do not exist in a vacuum. In PNG the Judges need to understand and know that the current political, economic, social and cultural environment must be taken into consideration so that justice is not only be done but justice is seen to be done with the wider community perception. When considering all the factors that led to the recent constitutional crisis, the final analysis is that the Supreme Court Decision went overboard beyond the prescribed constitutional powers reinstating the Grand Chief as PM, we all know that a mistake made by Parliament can only be corrected by the Parliament itself. That is what exactly has happened and though the Parliament the people have spoken and the majority rules in a democratic society such as ours. Namba Wape Ulutange A Political Obs

PNG should be proud that our West Minister Parliamentary System of Government has come of age and matured and is very vibrant. The recent constitutional crisis has truly demonstrated that. The Laws and Courts do not exist in a vacuum. In PNG the Judges need to understand and know that the current political, economic, social and cultural environment must be taken into consideration so that justice is not only be done but justice is seen to be done with the wider community perception. When considering all the factors that led to the recent constitutional crisis, the final analysis is that the Supreme Court Decision went overboard beyond the prescribed constitutional powers reinstating the Grand Chief as PM, we all know that a mistake made by Parliament can only be corrected by the Parliament itself. That is what exactly has happened and though the Parliament the people have spoken and the majority rules in a democratic society such as ours. Namba Wape Ulutange A Poli