PNGBLOGS

The O'Neill group on the steps of Parliament this morning. Speaker Jeffrey Nape, has recognized Peter O'Neill as Prime Minister and Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, declared as an ordinary citizen. Mr Nape stated this, as Parliament resumed this morning, with only the O'Neill/Namah group in the House, with the Opposition side empty and less than 10 M-Ps seated in the middle benches. M-Ps are debating the National Budget. Security is tight at Parliament, with the public disallowed from watching today's proceedings. Meantime, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and his Cabinet, are in a meeting with a member of the group saying, they hope to be sworn in later this afternoon. He says, the Governor-General is aware of the court orders which are explicit and is preparing the swearing-in instruments to be signed. The Head Of State, Sir Michael Ogio, has sought independent legal advice on the turn of events yesterday, after the Supreme Court reinstated Sir Michael Somare as th

The O'Neill group on the steps of Parliament this morning. Speaker Jeffrey Nape, has recognized Peter O'Neill as Prime Minister and Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, declared as an ordinary citizen. Mr Nape stated this, as Parliament resumed this morning, with only the O'Neill/Namah group in the House, with the Opposition side empty and less than 10 M-Ps seated in the middle benches. M-Ps are debating the National Budget. Security is tight at Parliament, with the public disallowed from watching today's proceedings. Meantime, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and his Cabinet, are in a meeting with a member of the group saying, they hope to be sworn in later this afternoon. He says, the Governor-General is aware of the court orders which are explicit and is preparing the swearing-in instruments to be signed. The Head Of State, Sir Michael Ogio, has sought independent legal advice on the turn of events yesterday, after the Supreme Court reinstated Sir Michael Somare

OP/ED   Is Somare leading PNG to a Totalitarian State? On the 24 November, the Speaker of Parliament, Jeffery Nape wrote to Bart Philemon, the Deputy Opposition leader and MP for Lae. The subject of the letter was the notice of the No-confidence motion in the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. “The Private Business Committee met today and considered the notice of Motion of No-Confidence submitted. Following its deliberations, the Committee decided that the notice of Motion of No-Confidence was not in order,” the letter stated. Mr Nape went on to explain that even though the procedural requirements under the Standing Orders and Constitution were met, the subsequent withdrawal of four supporting members to the Motion means the requirements under Section 145 (1) (b) of the Constitution were not met. The MPs that withdrew their support were Charles Abel, Powes Parkop, Paru Aihi and Fr John Garia. Mr Philemon gave the notice on the Motion of No-Confidence to the PM on 20 July 2010, in acco

OP/ED   Is Somare leading PNG to a Totalitarian State? On the 24 November, the Speaker of Parliament, Jeffery Nape wrote to Bart Philemon, the Deputy Opposition leader and MP for Lae. The subject of the letter was the notice of the No-confidence motion in the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. “The Private Business Committee met today and considered the notice of Motion of No-Confidence submitted. Following its deliberations, the Committee decided that the notice of Motion of No-Confidence was not in order,” the letter stated. Mr Nape went on to explain that even though the procedural requirements under the Standing Orders and Constitution were met, the subsequent withdrawal of four supporting members to the Motion means the requirements under Section 145 (1) (b) of the Constitution were not met. The MPs that withdrew their support were Charles Abel, Powes Parkop, Paru Aihi and Fr John Garia. Mr Philemon gave the notice on the Motion of No-Confidence to the PM on 20 July 2010