PNGBLOGS

Record breaking desperados? May 30 (Reuters) - Papua New Guinea's parliament endorsed on Wednesday Peter O'Neill as prime minister for the third time in a bid to resolve a long-running crisis over the leadership of the resource-rich South Pacific nation. However, a PNG expert said the vote for O'Neill was probably illegal as parliament had already been suspended and writs have been issued for national elections in June. At a special sitting, O'Neill was elected unopposed as prime minister by 56 of the 109 members of parliament. Prime ministerial rival Michael Somare and his supporters boycotted the vote. But Australian National University professor Ron May said the parliamentary gathering had no legal standing. "The parliamentary meeting today was a bit of a circus," May told Australian television. "The writs for the election have been issued, the parliament has been prorogued, so a meeting of the parliament has no standing." PNG, an often volatile

Record breaking desperados? May 30 (Reuters) - Papua New Guinea's parliament endorsed on Wednesday Peter O'Neill as prime minister for the third time in a bid to resolve a long-running crisis over the leadership of the resource-rich South Pacific nation. However, a PNG expert said the vote for O'Neill was probably illegal as parliament had already been suspended and writs have been issued for national elections in June. At a special sitting, O'Neill was elected unopposed as prime minister by 56 of the 109 members of parliament. Prime ministerial rival Michael Somare and his supporters boycotted the vote. But Australian National University professor Ron May said the parliamentary gathering had no legal standing. "The parliamentary meeting today was a bit of a circus," May told Australian television. "The writs for the election have been issued, the parliament has been prorogued, so a meeting of the parliament has no standing." PNG, an often volat

AAP - PETER O'Neill said he will stand again for Papua New Guinea's prime ministership today after the deputy speaker unexpectedly threw the position open. As Deputy Speaker Francis Marus opened yesterday's special sitting of the PNG Parliament he said the Supreme Court had declared Sir Michael Somare the legitimate prime minister. But he said Sir Michael, who was ousted as leader last August, could not serve in the position because he had been disqualified from Parliament for missing three consecutive sittings. Mr O'Neill challenged Sir Michael's supporters, many of whom have boycotted Parliament, to turn up today and compete for the top job. ''Parliament has decided in its wisdom that we will recognise the court's decision … and I acknowledge there is a vacancy in the office of prime minister,'' he said. ''I urge the Somare faction: let us end this once and for all. I urge him, take his faction to Parliament so th

AAP - PETER O'Neill said he will stand again for Papua New Guinea's prime ministership today after the deputy speaker unexpectedly threw the position open. As Deputy Speaker Francis Marus opened yesterday's special sitting of the PNG Parliament he said the Supreme Court had declared Sir Michael Somare the legitimate prime minister. But he said Sir Michael, who was ousted as leader last August, could not serve in the position because he had been disqualified from Parliament for missing three consecutive sittings. Mr O'Neill challenged Sir Michael's supporters, many of whom have boycotted Parliament, to turn up today and compete for the top job. ''Parliament has decided in its wisdom that we will recognise the court's decision … and I acknowledge there is a vacancy in the office of prime minister,'' he said. ''I urge the Somare faction: let us end this once and for all. I urge him, take his faction to Parliament

AS the stoush between Papua New Guinea's government and its judiciary - which has triggered the parliamentary move for a state of emergency - continues to hold centre stage in Port Moresby, the rest of the country is already seized by election fever. Governor-General Michael Ogio was originally appointed with the backing of the government of Michael Somare, but six months ago he endorsed the legitimacy of Peter O'Neill's government. He has now refused to authorise either the state of emergency or any further parliamentary sittings. The Governor-General's advice to all political requests, his spokesman told AAP, was: "Go to the election." Sir Michael was due to leave PNG last night , however, to attend the Queen's jubilee celebrations and the Speaker, Jeffrey Nape, usually stands in for him. Mr Nape is a strong supporter of the O'Neill government and would provide any formal authorisation needed. Last Friday, parliament approved a state of emergency for

AS the stoush between Papua New Guinea's government and its judiciary - which has triggered the parliamentary move for a state of emergency - continues to hold centre stage in Port Moresby, the rest of the country is already seized by election fever. Governor-General Michael Ogio was originally appointed with the backing of the government of Michael Somare, but six months ago he endorsed the legitimacy of Peter O'Neill's government. He has now refused to authorise either the state of emergency or any further parliamentary sittings. The Governor-General's advice to all political requests, his spokesman told AAP, was: "Go to the election." Sir Michael was due to leave PNG last night , however, to attend the Queen's jubilee celebrations and the Speaker, Jeffrey Nape, usually stands in for him. Mr Nape is a strong supporter of the O'Neill government and would provide any formal authorisation needed. Last Friday, parliament approved a state of emergency for

A second judge of Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court has been arrested on charges of sedition as police call for an end to political tensions. Justice Nicholas Kirriwom was arrested at Waigani national court today. It is understood he was quietly led by police into his chambers, where he is now being interviewed. Police spokesman Dominic Kakas said Justice Kirriwom, one of three judges who ruled today for a second time that Sir Michael Somare is the nation's legitimate prime minister, is likely to be charged with sedition. "He's being arrested and interviewed," Kakas said. "He will be charged with sedition." Today's ruling is disputed because two judges - Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika and Justice Bernard Sakora - abstained on ethical grounds. Justice Kirriwom is also believed to be the author of an email allegedly sent in February to other judges in which he referred to the government of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill as illegal. Government MPs h

A second judge of Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court has been arrested on charges of sedition as police call for an end to political tensions. Justice Nicholas Kirriwom was arrested at Waigani national court today. It is understood he was quietly led by police into his chambers, where he is now being interviewed. Police spokesman Dominic Kakas said Justice Kirriwom, one of three judges who ruled today for a second time that Sir Michael Somare is the nation's legitimate prime minister, is likely to be charged with sedition. "He's being arrested and interviewed," Kakas said. "He will be charged with sedition." Today's ruling is disputed because two judges - Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika and Justice Bernard Sakora - abstained on ethical grounds. Justice Kirriwom is also believed to be the author of an email allegedly sent in February to other judges in which he referred to the government of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill as illegal. Government MPs

HE is better known in the Morobe political and business circles but the day had to arrive when Mathew Minape decided he will return to the land of his ancestors – Enga – for the big one. Minape hopes to end the unbroken run of “action governor” Peter Ipatas in the Enga regional seat. His message to the people is simple: “When Engans do not vote for Ipatas, they are saving the future of Enga.” The Lae-based Enga businessman is confident of causing a major upset in the election and has named Ipatas as his enemy number one, labelling him the “media governor”. He said Ipatas used the media in particular EMTV and other print media to replay his outdated education programme for his own political gain. Minape challenged the main media organisations to be balanced and report fairly. He asked the media to visit places such as Kompiam, Kandep and Porgera where road infrastructure and law and order were deteriorating. “There is no basic medicine at Laiagam and Kandep health centres. “There