Morobe helicopter crash leaves 3 dead

By ELLEN TIAMU

Three people are dead following a helicopter crash in Morobe province on Monday, The National reports.
The twin-engine helicopter (pictured above during a recent trip to Finschhafen) , belonging to the Lae-based Manolos Aviation, was on its way to Wafi, in the Bulolo district, but a heavy cloud cover prevented it from landing.
The helicopter was trying to return to Lae when it went missing between Mumeng and Wafi.
Two G4S security guards and the expatriate pilot, Peter Wallace, were on board the helicopter. 
An air search was launched immediately to locate the missing helicopter.
However, aerial search and rescue attempts during the past three days had drawn a blank because the area was still under a heavy cloud cover.
Late last night Civil Aviation Minister Puri Ruing said the crash site had been found but there were no survivors.
He said the crash of the helicopter, P2-RUH, happened about 5km south of Timini.
"The investigation commenced shortly after the accident happened and the onsite component of the investigation will be continuing for several days," Ruing said,
He said the bodies of the pilot and the two passengers were being retrieved late yesterday while the investigators' reports would be ready within four weeks.

Morobe helicopter crash leaves 3 dead

By ELLEN TIAMU

Three people are dead following a helicopter crash in Morobe province on Monday, The National reports.
The twin-engine helicopter (pictured above during a recent trip to Finschhafen) , belonging to the Lae-based Manolos Aviation, was on its way to Wafi, in the Bulolo district, but a heavy cloud cover prevented it from landing.
The helicopter was trying to return to Lae when it went missing between Mumeng and Wafi.
Two G4S security guards and the expatriate pilot, Peter Wallace, were on board the helicopter. 
An air search was launched immediately to locate the missing helicopter.
However, aerial search and rescue attempts during the past three days had drawn a blank because the area was still under a heavy cloud cover.
Late last night Civil Aviation Minister Puri Ruing said the crash site had been found but there were no survivors.
He said the crash of the helicopter, P2-RUH, happened about 5km south of Timini.
"The investigation commenced shortly after the accident happened and the onsite component of the investigation will be continuing for several days," Ruing said,
He said the bodies of the pilot and the two passengers were being retrieved late yesterday while the investigators' reports would be ready within four weeks.

Morobe helicopter crash leaves three dead

By ELLEN TIAMU

Three people are dead following a helicopter crash in Morobe province on Monday, The National reports.
The twin-engine helicopter (pictured above during a recent trip to Finschhafen) , belonging to the Lae-based Manolos Aviation, was on its way to Wafi, in the Bulolo district, but a heavy cloud cover prevented it from landing.
The helicopter was trying to return to Lae when it went missing between Mumeng and Wafi.
Two G4S security guards and the expatriate pilot, Peter Wallace, were on board the helicopter. 
An air search was launched immediately to locate the missing helicopter.
However, aerial search and rescue attempts during the past three days had drawn a blank because the area was still under a heavy cloud cover.
Late last night Civil Aviation Minister Puri Ruing said the crash site had been found but there were no survivors.
He said the crash of the helicopter, P2-RUH, happened about 5km south of Timini.
"The investigation commenced shortly after the accident happened and the onsite component of the investigation will be continuing for several days," Ruing said,
He said the bodies of the pilot and the two passengers were being retrieved late yesterday while the investigators' reports would be ready within four weeks.

Sale of the Falcon jet a smart and timely move, says ACT NOW!

Community advocacy group, ACT NOW! says the announcement by new Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, that his government will sell the controversial Falcon jet is a smart move.

"The Falcon jet was an expensive mistake that epitomised the greed and corruption of the previous government, it is a smart move by the new PM to get rid of what was effectively a private PMV for the Somares and their supporters", says Effrey Dademo, programme manager for ACT NOW!

ACT NOW! has also congratulated the new government on its announcement of an Independent Commission Against Corruption, but says there still remains much to be done to reverse the blatant stealing of public money and other abuses.

"An ICAC is a great move, but it must be adequately resourced and free from political interference," says Ms Dademo.

ACT NOW! welcomes O’Neill’s announcement on ICAC

Community advocacy group, ACT NOW! has welcomed the announcement by Papua New Guinea's new Prime Minister that his government will establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption.

"ACT NOW! is very pleased the Prime Minister has pledged to establish an ICAC and has recognised the crippling effects of corruption in PNG", says Effrey Dademo, programme manager for ACT NOW!

"ACT NOW! has been campaigning against the blatant stealing of public money and we see the introduction of an ICAC as a necessary step to tackle the problem, but it is only the first step of many that will be required."

The Prime Minister told parliament on Tuesday that he was acting "in response to the public outcry against the rampant corruption and mismanagement of public money" and is committed to "investigate, charge, prosecute and jail persons, or groups, or companies who have illegally profited from the State's coffers"

ACT NOW! says while Mr O'Neill's words are very heartening and mark a clear separation of his own government from that of Michael Somare, everyone will be watching very closely to see that his actions match his rhetoric.

"As well as looking to the future, and ensuring a well resourced ICAC, the Prime Minister must ensure the recommendations of previous inquiries like that into the Finance Department are implemented and people already implicated are prosecuted", says Ms Dademo.

Boycott by opposition described as undemocratic

THE opposition bench was empty when parliament resumed at 2pm yesterday, a move described as undemocratic and childish by the government, The National reports.
The only person at the opposition bench was the chairman of the Jiwaka Transitional Authority and member for North Waghi, Benjamin Mul.
He was told by the speaker to take his seat on the opposition bench as he was sitting on the middle bench.
Former minister for community development, Dame Carol Kidu, the only the woman parliamenta­rian, sat at the middle bench too.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah condemned the action of the opposition led by the former acting prime minister Sam Abal to boycott parliament.
He said, as elected leaders, they were required to attend all sessions and respect the democratic process of the election which took place last Tuesday in parliament.
"They should be on the other side of the floor like what we did and not protesting as parliament
is not a place for protesting lea­ders."
Treasurer Don Polye described the action as childish. 
"It is disrespectful," he said.
Before debating on the prime mi­nister's inaugural speech, Na­mah said the election of O'Neill followed a democratic process and that the highest court of the land had declared that as valid.
He said that it was in the best interest of the people through their elected leaders and they should respect that rather than go to the courts to claim back the prime mi­nistership.

Free education to be introduced next year, says PM

THE government will introduce free education up to Grade 10 and subsidise fees for Grade 11 to university level, according to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, The National reports.
This will be included in the 2012 budget.
O'Neill in his inaugural statement to parliament said the government would also implement a number of economic and social projects in the next few months.
Apart from providing free education, the government intends to deliver major impact projects to not only boost economic and social welfare, but also generate multiplier-effect economic opportunities for the nation.
"We will embark on nationwide restoration and maintenance of run-down education and health institutions, create a centrali­sed national medical supplies base, attend to repair, rehabilitation and maintenance of the Highlands Highway, Buluminski Highway, Lae-Madang Highway and complete the trans-New Britain Highway and the Gulf-Southern Highlands Highway," he said.
He said a new alternative national port development would take place in the Gulf province while fast-tracking the Lae port development.
He said the Jackson and Nadzab airports would be extended and upgraded.
O'Neill said a new initiative would be launched to establish transportation for all maritime provinces instead of the corrupt programmes in the Border Development and Coastal Vessel programme.
He said the government would spare no effort in speeding up the development of the ExxonMobil-led PNG LNG project and the InterOil-led Gulf LNG project.
"These are multi-billion dollar investments to un­derpin in-flow of revenue streams for our nation's future development."
O'Neill said the LNG project needed to be assisted to overcome delays over landowner issues and the government would act decisively to provide that relief.
"Similarly, this government will go out of its way to give InterOil all the help and facilitation it needs in
the government system to progress its development efforts to Final Investment Decision before the end of the year.''
He said the government would deal with indivi­duals who were delaying the progress of the Gulf LNG project.
O'Neill said the government would fast-track outstanding mining projects inclu­ding the Yandera and Frieda River gold and copper project.
"This government will seriously and indepen­dently look at the environment issues raised by va­rious landowners and pro­vincial governments."

PM’s priority is to eradicate graft

.PRIME Minister Peter O'Neill has promised to completely weed out corruption by jailing people and penalising companies which have illegally benefited from the state coffers, The National reports.
"Graft and corruption are serious issues and they merely represent the extent of rot and decay that has been building up over time in key sectors of the nation's governance and administration structure," O'Neill said
"We will attend to the rot and decay, we will cleanse the system.
"We will take the excesses head on and correct them promptly.
"We will turn complacency into assertiveness and forthrightness."
He said the government would immediately make some hard decisions and spearhead legislative initiatives to ensure that the public service was more accountable and productive by weeding out unproductive
and non-performing elements.
"We will revamp the Public Ser­vice Management Act by making some legislative and regulatory amendments that will enable us to zero in on specific fraudulent activities within the government overall public service and financial management system.
"To underpin our resolve, my go­vernment will introduce the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Bill to establish ICAC.
"The powers of ICAC will go beyond the Leadership Code. It will cover those in both the public and private sectors.
"In other words, we will zero in on all perpetrators of graft and corruption everywhere in the community and not just those that hold public office."
He said the government was mindful of the public outcry over rampant corruption and mismanagement of money.
"I will move decisively to appoint a special prosecutor to immediately investigate, charge, prosecute and jail persons, groups and companies who have illegally benefited from state's coffers,'' he said.

Falcon jet up for sale

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

THE state is to sell off its K120 million Falcon jet as part of a cost-cutting exercise to counter the blow-out in the cost of running government, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said yesterday, The National reports
Announcing his government's major policy initiatives in his maiden speech as prime minister, he also told parliament that the government would provide free education next year and introduce measures to weed out corruption.
"Top of the list of cost-control measures will be the sale of the government's executive Falcon jet," he said.
O'Neill said it cost the nation K120 million to buy it and K22 million a year to operate it.
"This money can be better spent on the education and health sectors," he said.
He said instructions had already been given to Air Niugini to place the jet on the market.
He promised to impose strict controls on domestic and international tra­vels by ministers and departmental heads.
He said the Office of Ministerial Services was to centralise and manage ministerial expenditure.
He promised to speed up the PNG LNG project and fast-track other mi­ning projects throughout the country, assuring landowners that environmental issues would be seriously and indepen­dently looked at.
He plans to re-introduce the Independent Commission Against Cor­ruption Bill that will have more powers than the Leadership Code to cover those in the public and private sector.
The policy statement by the prime minister assured Papua New Gui­neans that the government of national unity was not on a "witch-hunt and to destroy" good things that the past government had delivered.
"Obviously, we will take stock of the nation's economic, political and social score-card at the outset of this government's stock," O'Neill said.
 "We shall be stream­lining the nation's public finance management system in the coming weeks.
"It is our desire to see to it that government-plan­ned national development agenda under the 2011 National Budget, especially the national deve­lopment and public in­vestment projects component remains on track and is implemented accoun­tably.
"To oversee successful implementation of the 2011 development bud­get, this government has split the Ministry of Na­tional Planning, Monito­ring and Rural Development into separate mi­nistries of national planning and of implementation and rural development."
O'Neill said it would ensure efficiency in planning and moni­toring of go­vernment project im­ple­mentation and cut wastage.
"This government has to desire to see well-meaning national deve­lopment initiatives be­coming marginalised or neglected by the onset of complacency, corruption and pursuit of personal interest.
"We give an assurance that we shall provide assertive and accountable political leadership," he said.
"We will be putting brakes on our nation's
further slide towards da­maging our nation's in­tegrity by the apparent onset of systemic and systematic corruption, instability and chaos that has built up throughout the government system in recent years."

Opposition plans to boycott sitting

By JEFFREY ELAPA

THE Opposition plans to boycott parliament today when it resumes its August session, The National reports.
Speaking during a press conference at the Ela Beach Hotel yesterday ousted acting prime minister Sam Abal said the opposition would not attend parliament when it resumed at 2pm in protest over the "unconstitutional" election of Peter O'Neill as Prime Minister last Tuesday.
He was accompanied by former ministers Paul Tiensten, Ben Sembri, Andrew Kumbakor, Francis Potape and Mendi MP Pr Isaac Joseph.
Abal said the matter was before the court to rule on the constitutionality of the election.
"We know there is parliament tomorrow (today) but because there is a question that the constitution has been flawed as well as the standing orders were abused, we will boycott parliament until the court clears it," he said.
He said because the Constitution was abused, they had to ask the court for a ruling.
Abal said there was still a legitimate Prime Minister and while the processes had not been followed, Parliament went ahead to elect a new prime minister using their numerical strength.
"There are two prime ministers and we want the court to pronounce it," he said.
However, he said that whatever the court ruled, his 31 members would abide by it and go back to Parliament to attend meetings. Until then, they would continue to stay out as a protest over the manner in which the election of a prime minister was conducted.
He said it abused the constitutional and other laws such as of the NEC and Prime Minister's Act.
Meanwhile Abal said several members from the new government had "ambushed" Government House last Tuesday to force Governor-Ge­neral Sir Michael Ogio to sign the instruments.
He said Sir Michael had been "rushed and pushed" to sign the documents by individuals from the government assisted by members of the police and military.
He said he would write to the police commissioner to lodge his complaint so that the matter was investigated

Coup rumour dispelled

By JUNIOR UKAHA

THE police and military hierarchy yesterday dispelled the rumour of a military coup against the one-week-old government of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, The National reports.
In separate statements, Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie and Papua New Guinea Defence Force commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi said they were loyal to the government and processes of democracy and the change in the government "will not affect the work of police and defence".
Their call came after text messages yesterday about a military coup circulated widely, frightening people and business houses. The text message said the instability caused by the new government had forced the military to overthrow the government.
It urged Papua New Guineans to support the coup.
However, Agwi countered with the statement: "I assure the government and people of PNG that no force under my command will ever be less than totally loyal to the constitution, and to the authority of the government."
He said he had talked with Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah and Defence Minister Guma Wau and assured them of his support and loyalty.
Agwi said he had heard of the rumour which was "without foundation, malicious and mischievous".    
Wagambie, on the other hand, said a coup "is nonsense and will never happen".
"I want to assure the government, investors and grassroots that there will be no coup – and I guarantee that," Wagambie said. 
"If there are people trying to create something then the police will deal with them in the appropriate manner," he said.
The top cop said spreading false rumours amounted to treason and was punishable by law under the Summary Offences Act.
"In some other countries, spreading such rumours will result in the person facing the firing squad," Wagambie said.
He said police were gathering information to ascertain where, how and why the rumour was started.
He said he had already instructed his men to trace the person or group responsible for spreading the rumour and arrest them.
Internal Security Minister John Boito condemned the rumour, saying it was the work of people who wanted to cause panic among Papua New Guineans.
He said parliament was intact and would meet as normal today

Manwau is happy

MEMBER for Wewak Moses Manwau has denied reports he had protested against the recent cabinet appointments because he was not included in the list, The National reports.
He said a newspaper headline portrayed him negatively even though he was not at Government House during the swearing-in ceremony of the ministers.
"I really felt bad be­cause I talk about issue concerning PNG and uni­ting the country and not about individual interests.
"What I said was that it was the prerogative of the prime minister to appointment a minister in East Sepik for a fair representation, knowing very well that I was out of it because I was not informed."
He said the member for Wosera-Gawi Ronald Asik and member for Telefomin Peter Iwei were at the Government House and complained publicly there.
"I only said what I felt when asked to comment, and not crying over the ministerial positions as portrayed in the newspaper," he said.

Anti-graft group reminds public servants of responsibilities

THE Community Coalition Against Corruption has called on public servants to continue to serve the people despite the recent political changes, The National reports.
Members of the CCAC told reporters that public servants should not get involved in the recent political games but to be focused on serving the people.
"CCAC is calling for public servants' loyalty to the people and the country, including the police and the military.
"Do not listen to politicians but respect your country and people," CCAC members said.
CCAC also called on the media to report responsibly during times like this.
CCAC board member and chairman of the independent media committee John ToGuata said the media should not sensationalise issues and create disharmony among citizens.
He said the media must inform the people accurately and responsibly.
Retired priest and member of the CCAC board John Flenn said negative reporting could stir up problems and anarchy for the country.
He said poor reporting by the media could inflate violence and lawlessness.
Meanwhile PNG Trade Union Congress president Michael Malabag also called on public servants to be committed and loyal to their country and continue to serve the people.

Abal warns of abuse of public funds

MEMBER for Wabag Sam Abal has cautioned about the use of public funds by the new government pen­ding a court decision on the legality of the parliamentary elec­tion pro­cess, The National reports.
"I, as a leader, do not want to see people rushing across and it will be sad to see plundering of resources for the people of Papua New Guinea," Abal said.
He said a surplus of K600 million, which was announced in the mid-year economic and fiscal out­look report, was en­tirely a result of increased reve­nue projections dri­ven largely by higher personal income tax collections than expected, higher commodity prices and higher mineral re­venue.
No overspending and underspending are pro­jected at this time.
Former treasury and finance minister Patrick Pruaitch said a supplementary budget was likely to be announced later this year.
Pruaitch said the projected additional revenue was expected to be allocated to high government priority expenditures in the key areas of health, education, infrastructure and law and justice as well as obligations such as the PNG LNG-related commitments and next year's general election preparations.
There were public concerns that the anticipated revenue of K606.8 mil­lion could be used for other purposes rather than the key areas prompting Abal to make the appeal.

Polye is NA leader

By JAMES APA GUMUNO

THE National Alliance party's de­puty highlands parliamentary leader Don Polye has been elected as the party's new parliamentary leader repla­cing Sir Michael So­mare, The National reports.
The Kandep MP, who is the finance and treasury minister, was elected by less than half of the party's 42 members du­ring the NA caucus meeting in Minj, Jiwaka region, yesterday.
The parliamentary wing that attended the caucus meeting passed a resolution to appoint Polye but this did not go down well with Madang regional MP Sir Arnold Amet, who claimed to represent the Momase region.
Sir Arnold said there was no vacancy and that the party must follow due process.
He said if the NA believed in party principles, then, it must not violate the party's constitution for the sake of con­venience.
East New Britain Governor Leo Dion countered that as per the party's constitution, they were there to elect a new parliamentary leader.
Sir Michael's term as leader expired this year and he gave instructions last February to begin the process of appointing a new leader.
Dion, who claimed to speak on behalf of the New Guinea Islands region, said they could not keep their people and party supporters in suspense.
He said he fully supported the resolution passed by the parliamentary wing to elect Polye as the new parliamentary leader.
Polye said there was no time left, the general election was nine months away and they needed a leader to take the party into the election.
He told party execu­tives and members that the NA parliamen­tary wing was already split.
He said this was because of the actions of two or three members in the ousted NA-led go­vernment.
Polye said the party, which was built on good values and principles, had been destroyed.
He said the NA was an institution and they needed to protect it from being destroyed by a small group of MPs in the party.
He said because of bad governance, he tried to stem what he described as "the flood but it was so huge" that led others to the opposition to form the new government in order to uphold the good principles and values of the party.
Polye said it was not a bad move and they were rewarded with nine mi­nisterial portfolios.
Of the 42 NA members in parliament, 19 MPs from both sides of parliament attended the meeting.
They included Lucas Dekena, James Gau, Buka Malai, Leo Dion, Sai Besio, Mark Mai­pa­kai, Peter Titus, Andrew Mald, Yawa Silupa, Mi­chael Sape, Mathew Poia, David Arore and Polye.
Four MPs from the opposition present were James Marape, Benjamin Mul, Sir Arnold Amet and Sani Rambi.
Sam Abal, Patrick Pruaitch, Arthur Somare, Ano Pala and Jeffery Nape did not attend.

Confirmed cabinet ministries

Peter O'Neill – Prime Minister
Belden Namah – Deputy Prime Minister; Forestry and Climate Change
Don Polye – Treasury and Finance
Sam Basil – National Planning
Bart Philemon – Public Service
William Duma – Petroleum and Energy
Ken Fairweather – Housing and Urban Development
Moses Maladina – Implementation and Rural Development
Charles Abel – Trade, Commerce and Industry
David Arore – Higher Education, Re­search, Science and Technology
Dr Allan Marat – Attorney-General and Justice
John Boito – Internal Security
Guma Wau – Defence
Sai Sailon Beseo – Correctional Ser­vices
Job Pomat – Fisheries
Ano Pala – Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Sir Mekere Morauta – Public Enterpri­ses
Theo Zurenuoc – Education
Sir Puka Temu – Agriculture and Livestock
Thompson Harokaqveh – Environ­ment and Conservation
Sali Subam – Sports
Martin Aini – Labour and Industrial Relations
Byron Chan – Mining
Jim Miringtoro – Communication and Information Technology
Steven Kama Pirika – Bougainville Affairs
Andrew Mald – Community Deve­lop­ment; Religion and Family Affairs
Mark Maipakai – Inter-Government Relations and District Development
Francis Awesa – Transport and Works
Puri Ruing –  Civil Aviation
Lucas Dekena – Lands and Physical Planning
Jamie Maxtone-Graham – Health
Benjamin Philip – Tourism, Arts and Culture
Wake Goi – Assisting the Prime Minis­ter on Constitutional Matters

InterOil and Noble sign heads of agreement for LNG sale

InterOil Corporation and Pacific LNG Operations Ltd, joint developers of Gulf LNG in Papua New Guinea's Gulf of Papua have announced the signing of a heads of agreement (HOA) with Noble Clean Fuels Ltd , a wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble Group Ltd, for the supply of one million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The HOA sets out the basis upon which the parties intend to conclude terms for the purchase and sale of one mtpa of LNG, for a period of 10 years commencing in 2014, to be supplied by the proposed Gulf LNG project in PNG.

The parties to the HOA intend to complete negotiations and execute binding agreements later this year.

A   Singapore stock exchange listed company, Noble Group is a market leader and manages a global supply chain of agricultural and energy products, metals and minerals.

Noble operates from over 120 offices in 40 countries, with over 11,000 employees from 80 nationalities and manages a diversified portfolio of essential raw materials, integrating sourcing, marketing, processing, financing and transportation.

Noble owns and manages an array of strategic assets, sourcing from low cost producers such as Brazil, Argentina, Australia and Indonesia and supplying to high growth demand markets including China, India and the Middle East.

At present, Noble has interests in grain crushing facilities, coal and iron ore mines, fuel terminals and storage facilities, sugar and ethanol plants, ports, vessels and other key infrastructure.

The Gulf LNG project comprises the Elk and Antelope gas fields and Liquid Niugini Gas Ltd., the InterOil and Pacific LNG joint-venture project company, with modular LNG plants contracted with Energy World Corp Ltd and a fixed floating LNG facility being developed with Flex LNG Ltd and Samsung Heavy Industries Co Ltd.

 InterOil's chairman and CEO Phil Mulacek said: "We are pleased to have executed our first HOA for LNG off-take from our Gulf LNG project in Papua New Guinea. "InterOil is proud to work with the Noble Group, which has a proven track record of providing long-term fuel supply to major utilities across Japan, Korea, China, and Asia as a whole."

Liquid Niugini Gas vice-president for LNG marketing, Conrad Kerr said: "Noble is a good fit for the InterOil strategy of mid-scale and modular production, and LNG supply is a natural expansion of the Noble Group's historical relationships in long-term coal supply for power generation."

Sir Rabbie Namaliu to advise InterOil's Gulf LNG project

Former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu has accepted InterOil Corporation's invitation to chair its PNG advisory board.

Accepting the invitation, Sir Rabbie said: "I am pleased to chair InterOil's PNG advisory board, and look forward to working to bring the Gulf LNG project to fruition.

"The Gulf LNG project may be the most-significant source of revenue to the PNG Government over the next 30 years.

"It will bring jobs and infrastructure to one of our least-developed provinces and generate benefits to all the people of Papua New Guinea for many years."

 Welcoming Sir Rabbie's acceptance, InterOil's CEO Phil Mulacek said Sir Rabbie had been an inspiration and a dedicated servant to PNG for his entire career.

 "We welcome him to our team and appreciate his support for our Gulf LNG project," Mulacek said.            

 Sir Rabbie served as PNG prime minister between 1988 and 1992. He was Speaker of the National Parliament between 1994 and 1997.

 He was also Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade from 1982 to 1984 and other senior ministries he has held include Primary Industry and Petroleum and Energy since his first election to parliament in 1982.

 Most recently, Sir Rabbie served as Foreign Affairs & Immigration Minister from 2002 to 2006 and as Minister for the Treasury from 2006 to 2007. Sir Rabbie left Parliament in 2007.

 Sir Rabbie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of PNG and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the same university.

 The InterOil PNG advisory board is a management group being formed to assist InterOil in discussions with government departments in developing the Gulf LNG project.

Bonga, Kaiwi seek orders to nullify election process

 By JULIA DAIA BORE

TWO separate Supreme Court references have been filed at the Waigani Supreme Court on last week's parliamentary election process and the change of government, The National reports.
The two urgent references were filed last Friday and are expected to be heard this morning by the chief justice. 
One reference is by Morobe province's Nawaeb MP Timothy Bonga and National Alliance party president Simon Kaiwi basing their case on section 18 of the Constitution. 
Bonga was the then NA-government's forestry minister and Kaiwi was ousted as NA party president. 
The respondents are listed as Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, his deputy Belden Namah, William Duma as the new minister for petroleum and energy and labour, Sam Basil as the national planning minister and Dr Allan Marat as the new justice minister and attorney-general. 
Bonga and Kaiwi are seeking certain declaratory orders to nullify the election process of the national parliament last Tuesday. 
They are arguing that there was no vacancy in the prime minister's office for such a vote to be called and that the vote should have been conducted on Wednesday. 
They argued that under section 142 of the Constitution, Sir Michael Somare was still the prime minister who was granted leave of absence on medical grounds under section 104 of the Constitution. 
The leave was granted in May this year.
The other reference was filed under section 19 of the Constitution by East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu and the East Sepik provincial executive government. 
It seeks a similar Supreme Court reference as Sir Arnold Amet did last week but was dismissed because he did not have any constitutional standing to file such an application. 
But the East Sepik provincial executive is now using the same grounds on the question on validity under the country's laws.
The East Sepik provincial executive government headed by Wararu resolved last Thursday to make this referral to the Supreme Court. 
Counsel for the applicant, Steels Lawyers, said the ESP executive has the legal standing to apply for such a reference.