PNGBLOGS

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

Papua New Guinea's former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has accused Prime Minister Peter O'Neill of disrespecting the constitution and intimidating the governor-general. Mr O'Neill has retained the leadership gaining the support of the governor-general and the majority of MPs in parliament. His position has been further strengthened by the passing of the budget. But Sir Michael insists he's still the rightful leader of PNG, in charge of a minority government. "I know very well, that there was no, either by speaker or by anyone to remove the member of parliament," he said. "I was discharged by parliament as a non-existing member. But court, in its wisdom, and following our constitution, reinstate me as the head of government and the government as I led". The Catholic Archbishop of Papua New Guinea is calling on the former prime minister to resign from politics and ensure there is no repeat of last week's political tension. Archbishop John

Papua New Guinea's former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has accused Prime Minister Peter O'Neill of disrespecting the constitution and intimidating the governor-general. Mr O'Neill has retained the leadership gaining the support of the governor-general and the majority of MPs in parliament. His position has been further strengthened by the passing of the budget. But Sir Michael insists he's still the rightful leader of PNG, in charge of a minority government. "I know very well, that there was no, either by speaker or by anyone to remove the member of parliament," he said. "I was discharged by parliament as a non-existing member. But court, in its wisdom, and following our constitution, reinstate me as the head of government and the government as I led". The Catholic Archbishop of Papua New Guinea is calling on the former prime minister to resign from politics and ensure there is no repeat of last week's political tension. Archbisho

Parliament yesterday afternoon passed the 2012 National Budget of 10.5 billion Kina with members showing their support through voices and not a head count . Minister for Finance and Treasury Don Polye when speaking during the budget debate today, says the measure of any government in the world us measured by the well being of the people, and it’s vital that this historical budget be used to ensure opportunities are presented for more than 7 million people in Papua New Guinea in order to better their lives. Mr. Polye says the implementation of the budget is critical adding that the Government will start implementing major priorities in the budget like health, education, and transport infrastructure amongst others, and carrying out this task is the challenge of the O’Neill/Namah Government. When speaking on the Government free education policy next year for elementary right up to grade 10, Mr. Polye says education is the biggest investment thus far that the Governme