PNGBLOGS

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