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AAP All instruments Matane signed are void Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court has ruled the reappointment of the country's governor-general was unconstitutional and invalid. Controversy surrounded the June installation of Sir Paulias Matane, who critics said was appointed by the government despite numerous breaches of parliamentary process. On Friday, the full bench of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the appointment was unconstitutional because Sir Paulias was not selected after a secret ballot in parliament. Advertisement: Story continues below The court found Speaker Jeffrey Nape acted unlawfully by presiding over parliament at a time he was acting governor-general. "Sir Paulias shall cease to hold office as GG at 12 midday on Dec 2010," the court declared. "As soon as practical call a meeting of parliament to nominate the next governor-general, within 40 days of this order." Outspoken opposition member Sam Basil told AAP the Sir Michael Somare-led

AAP All instruments Matane signed are void Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court has ruled the reappointment of the country's governor-general was unconstitutional and invalid. Controversy surrounded the June installation of Sir Paulias Matane, who critics said was appointed by the government despite numerous breaches of parliamentary process. On Friday, the full bench of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the appointment was unconstitutional because Sir Paulias was not selected after a secret ballot in parliament. Advertisement: Story continues below The court found Speaker Jeffrey Nape acted unlawfully by presiding over parliament at a time he was acting governor-general. "Sir Paulias shall cease to hold office as GG at 12 midday on Dec 2010," the court declared. "As soon as practical call a meeting of parliament to nominate the next governor-general, within 40 days of this order." Outspoken opposition member Sam Basil told AAP the Sir Michael

OSEAH PHILEMON Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare has not made any announcement yet as to his political future and who is likely to succeed him if and when he decides to retire officially from politics. This is despite the much anticipated announcement coming from the highlands where he was visiting recently. All the hype about the eminent changeover of leadership in the ruling National Alliance Party that dominated Papua New Guinea’s political landscape for weeks leading to a political blood bath in Port Moresby seemed to have dried up—at least for now—as opposing parties retreat to their corners to plan their next move. The National Alliance Party was to have had a conference in the newly-created province of Jiwaka in the central Highlands but that conference was suddenly postponed. But no new dates of the meeting has been set. Jiwaka is the home of the National Alliance President Simon Kaiwi who is vying to contest the seat of governor in the 2012 electi

OSEAH PHILEMON Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare has not made any announcement yet as to his political future and who is likely to succeed him if and when he decides to retire officially from politics. This is despite the much anticipated announcement coming from the highlands where he was visiting recently. All the hype about the eminent changeover of leadership in the ruling National Alliance Party that dominated Papua New Guinea’s political landscape for weeks leading to a political blood bath in Port Moresby seemed to have dried up—at least for now—as opposing parties retreat to their corners to plan their next move. The National Alliance Party was to have had a conference in the newly-created province of Jiwaka in the central Highlands but that conference was suddenly postponed. But no new dates of the meeting has been set. Jiwaka is the home of the National Alliance President Simon Kaiwi who is vying to contest the seat of governor in the 2012 ele