By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE K20 million allocated for the National Rugby League Bid is a waste of time and money, Public Service Minister Bart Philemon says, The National reports.
Philemon made the comment after the Pacific Games 2015 Authority Bill was passed in parliament on Tuesday, with 76 MPs voting for it.
Philemon said the NRL Bid was a failure while the Pacific Games was being neglected by the government.
He said PNG had bid in 2009 to host the 2015 Pacific Games and had assured the Games Council and the PNG Games Council that it would make available US$92.5 million for it.
He said the games was contested by more than 15 Pacific islands countries every four years.
He blamed the Somare government for failing to pass the bill and make budget allocation to prepare for the Games, which is expected to cost about K300 million.
Philemon said sport was important in uniting the country as evident during the 1991 South Pacific Games held at the then Waigani Stadium in Port Moresby.
He said the country had only three years to prepare and the onus was on the government to start now with the first budget allocation to be included in the 2011 supplementary budget.
He said a contract was already in place with the Pacific Games body, the PNG sport council and the government and that must be addressed by the government with the passing of the bill.
Thursday, September 08, 2011
National Alliance split
THE National Alliance party, Papua New Guinea's biggest political party, is in a crisis following the sacking of 20 parliamentarians who crossed the floor to join the new government, The National reports.
The party's national executives met on Tuesday after the sacking of their ailing parliamentary leader Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and decided to expel all 20 MPs including Speaker Jeffery Nape and Finance and Treasury Minister Don Polye for "conducts prejudicial to the interest of the party".
The party, which ruled for nine consecutive years, is now split 20/21.
NA president Simon Kaiwi explained at a press conference that the actions were taken following the dumping of Sir Michael Somare, first as prime minister on Aug 2 and, on Tuesday, as regional member for East Sepik.
Kaiwi said the defectors had, by their decision, shown disrespect for the party, its leadership and constitution.
The NA group in government has until Sept 28, under the rules of the party, to appeal the decision.
Polye responded yesterday by calling on the national executives of the party to convene an urgent NA council meeting to discuss the issue.
He also called on the NA executive members to resign.
The national executive comprised Kaiwi, general secretary Stephen Pokawin, public officer Joyce Grant, treasurer Thomas Bullen and the parliamentary leader of the party.
The leadership post had become a contentious issue also with the executives claiming Sir Michael was still leader while other regional presidents and the defecting MPs claiming Polye was now the new leader.
Polye insisted yesterday he was the duly elected party leader and would remain in that position because he still had most of the NA MPs on his side.
He was proposed and accepted as the leader during the party caucus meeting in Minj last month.
Polye said he and his group had taken the decision they did because corruption and leadership issues were repeatedly ignored in the past.
The expulsion of Sir Michael as East Sepik MP was by operation of the law and not the work of any member of NA, he said.
SACKED MPs
1. Jeffery Nape – Parliament Speaker
(Sinasina-Yongomugl)
2. Don Polye – Treasurer (Kandep)
3. Ano Pala – Foreign Affairs (Rigo)
4. Mark Maipakai – Labour &
Industrial Relations (Kikori)
5. Charles Abel – Commerce, Industry
& Trade (Alotau)
6. Lucas Dekena – Lands & Physical
Planning (Gumine),
7. Andrew Mald – Community
Development (Moresby Northeast)
8. Sai Beseo – Correctional Services
(Kainantu)
9. Sali Subam – Sports (South Fly)
10. David Arore – Higher Education,
Science & Technology (Ijivitari)
11. Peter Humphreys – Governor
(West New Britain)
12. Leo Dion – Governor (East
New Britain)
13. John Luke Critten – Governor
(Milne Bay)
14. Michael Sapau – Milne Bay
(Manus)
15. Alphonse Moroi – Governor
(Central)
16. James Gau – Governor (Madang,
Raicoast MP)
17. Mathew Poiya – MP (Goilala)
18. Pitom Bombom – MP (Kerema)
19. Buka G Malai – MP (Madang)
20. Yawa Silupa – MP (Lufa)
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Viewers decry MPs lack of respect
Two viewers said the leaders had shown no respect for parliament and turned it into a playground for a kindergarten.
Herman Paul, who watched the live broadcast yesterday afternoon at his house at Tarangau, in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, said he could not understand why parliamentarians, especially those on the opposition, kept interrupting Speaker Jeffery Nape.
He said parliament "belongs to the six million people of this nation, the MPs are only their representatives and they must show their respect for the people of this nation".
Paul said the leaders must show respect for the house and follow standing orders.
Another viewer, Joejoe Miugle appealed to leaders to use their common sense and show respect for parliament.
Groups arrive early to see parliament sit
By JULIA DAIA BORE
THE corner of Goodwit Road and John Guise Drive, in Waigani, converging onto the turn off into the National Parliament house was yesterday packed with people and traffic from about noon to 2pm, The National reports.
Police controlled traffic and people started moving around outside the National Library and National Archives buildings from 8am, although parliament was scheduled to begin at 2pm to discuss among other things a proposed law on women's reserved seats.
Women in PNG coloured outfits — meri blouses and T-shirts — were seated or standing in groups and their leaders advising them that only their spokeswomen would go for the sitting.
Closer to the roundabout, an even bigger crowd, including children, were assembled with their leaders briefing them on loudspeakers about the issues to be dealt with in parliament.
The traffic between 1pm and 2pm was heavy along roads into the National Parliament house.
Meanwhile, the bill to reserve the 22 parliamentary seats went through a second reading yesterday in parliament.
THE corner of Goodwit Road and John Guise Drive, in Waigani, converging onto the turn off into the National Parliament house was yesterday packed with people and traffic from about noon to 2pm, The National reports.
Police controlled traffic and people started moving around outside the National Library and National Archives buildings from 8am, although parliament was scheduled to begin at 2pm to discuss among other things a proposed law on women's reserved seats.
Women in PNG coloured outfits — meri blouses and T-shirts — were seated or standing in groups and their leaders advising them that only their spokeswomen would go for the sitting.
Closer to the roundabout, an even bigger crowd, including children, were assembled with their leaders briefing them on loudspeakers about the issues to be dealt with in parliament.
The traffic between 1pm and 2pm was heavy along roads into the National Parliament house.
Meanwhile, the bill to reserve the 22 parliamentary seats went through a second reading yesterday in parliament.
Provincial seats returned
By JEFFREY ELAPA
THE parliament has voted to return the provincial electoral seats during the 2012 general election with the blessing of 73 MPs yesterday, The National reports.
Parliament had decided a few years ago that all provincial seats were to be abolished by 2012 and to increase the open seats to 120 from 89 but parliament yesterday unanimously voted to keep all provincial seats when the bill went through the second reading.
The final reading is expected after two months and this might bring more debates in parliament.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said it was an important bill as the constitutional amendment would ensure that provincial electorates were permanently re-instated.
He said by committing the bill and holding two separate votes, parliament changed the commencement date of the constitutional amendment.
He said instead of provincial electorates been removed at the 2007 election, they would be removed when advised by the prime minister and by recommitting the law, a constitutional crisis was avoided.
However, he said the job of returning provincial electorates was not yet complete and in order to finish the job, parliament needed to pass the amendment. Only after the passage of the law, will the law be returned to its original format and provincial electorates will be permanently reinstated.
He said provincial government served an important function in the decentralised system and that the provincial government system allowed rural people to become involved in decision-making.
O'Neill said the effect of the amendment was to reinstate all references to provincial electorates back into the constitution and ensure the constitution was the same way our founding fathers had intended.
The parliament also passed the 2015 South Pacific games Bill which will establish the 2015 Pacific Games authority to oversee and prepare for the games. The games is expected to cost around K300 million.
THE parliament has voted to return the provincial electoral seats during the 2012 general election with the blessing of 73 MPs yesterday, The National reports.
Parliament had decided a few years ago that all provincial seats were to be abolished by 2012 and to increase the open seats to 120 from 89 but parliament yesterday unanimously voted to keep all provincial seats when the bill went through the second reading.
The final reading is expected after two months and this might bring more debates in parliament.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said it was an important bill as the constitutional amendment would ensure that provincial electorates were permanently re-instated.
He said by committing the bill and holding two separate votes, parliament changed the commencement date of the constitutional amendment.
He said instead of provincial electorates been removed at the 2007 election, they would be removed when advised by the prime minister and by recommitting the law, a constitutional crisis was avoided.
However, he said the job of returning provincial electorates was not yet complete and in order to finish the job, parliament needed to pass the amendment. Only after the passage of the law, will the law be returned to its original format and provincial electorates will be permanently reinstated.
He said provincial government served an important function in the decentralised system and that the provincial government system allowed rural people to become involved in decision-making.
O'Neill said the effect of the amendment was to reinstate all references to provincial electorates back into the constitution and ensure the constitution was the same way our founding fathers had intended.
The parliament also passed the 2015 South Pacific games Bill which will establish the 2015 Pacific Games authority to oversee and prepare for the games. The games is expected to cost around K300 million.
National Alliance in crisis
THE National Alliance executive was in a crisis conference last night as its former leader was dismissed from parliament by the speaker who is a member of the party, The National reports.
The ouster of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as prime minister was supported by new NA leader Don Polye, and the declaration of a vacancy was by Speaker Jeffery Nape.
The party is expected to make a major announcement today on the proceedings of the one-day parliament sitting yesterday.
The party executives were last night seeking legal opinion on whether what transpired was right by law and complied with the standing orders of parliament.
NA president Simon Kaiwi said last night: "The decision that the speaker has taken is a big constitutional issue and an issue with standing orders of parliament.
"I do not think it is correct but we are seeking legal opinion before we tell the people of PNG.
"He (Sir Michael) has met the legal requirement. He presented himself to parliament yesterday. Then, he is dismissed.
"It is a big shock to us.
"They are treating him like somebody who just came in yesterday."
Kaiwi's dilemma had worsened since half of his NA members are with the government that ousted Sir Michael as prime minister and MP.
The ouster of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare as prime minister was supported by new NA leader Don Polye, and the declaration of a vacancy was by Speaker Jeffery Nape.
The party is expected to make a major announcement today on the proceedings of the one-day parliament sitting yesterday.
The party executives were last night seeking legal opinion on whether what transpired was right by law and complied with the standing orders of parliament.
NA president Simon Kaiwi said last night: "The decision that the speaker has taken is a big constitutional issue and an issue with standing orders of parliament.
"I do not think it is correct but we are seeking legal opinion before we tell the people of PNG.
"He (Sir Michael) has met the legal requirement. He presented himself to parliament yesterday. Then, he is dismissed.
"It is a big shock to us.
"They are treating him like somebody who just came in yesterday."
Kaiwi's dilemma had worsened since half of his NA members are with the government that ousted Sir Michael as prime minister and MP.
Speaker’s decision shocks opposition
By ISAAC NICHOLAS
FORMER government frontbenchers expressed shock over the decision to remove the nation's "founding father" by Parliament Speaker Jeffrey Nape yesterday, The National reports.
The group was in the middle of a joint media conference when a tearful Dame Carol Kidu arrived to announce that Sir Michael had been removed.
Madang MP Sir Arnold Amet, East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu, Angoram MP Arthur Somare, Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch, Kompiam-Ambum MP John Pundari and Nipa-Kutubu MP Philemon Embel expressed shock and anger.
Sir Arnold indicated that he would institute a contempt of court action against Nape, claiming that the speaker was trying to legitimise the illegal takeover of a legitimate government on Aug 2.
Nape's announcement yesterday was contrary to the advice given by the clerk to parliament, Don Pandan, who yesterday advised lawyers for Sir Michael, Posman Kua Aisi Lawyers, that Sir Michael would avoid being absent from three consecutive meetings of parliament if he attended yesterday's session.
Pandan, in a letter dated Sept 6, 2011, stated; "I confirm that my records constituting the minutes of proceedings of the parliament, as required by Standing Orders 30 for 2011, show that Sir Michael has been absent for only the June and August 2011 meetings of parliament. He was granted leave by parliament for the May 2011 meeting.
"I confirm that when Sir Michael attends today's (yesterday) meeting of parliament, he will avoid being absent for three consecutive meetings of parliament, thus, being disqualified as the member of parliament for the East Sepik regional seat, pursuant to the requirements of section 104(2) d) of the Constitution."
Angoram MP Arthur Somare promised to bring his father to parliament during the Sept 20 sitting and challenged government leaders to try to stop him.
He said the significant issue was that they wanted the Grand Chief to come and present himself in parliament to preserve the East Sepik regional seat.
He said the people of East Sepik had given Sir Michael their mandate for 45 years and he had an unbroken record of holding the parliamentary seat for an extended period of time.
He said to witness his arrival in parliament yesterday was heartening.
"If he has missed three consecutive meetings, he will be disqualified and leave the seat vacant," Somare said.
He said the speaker had recognised and welcomed back the Grand Chief to parliament.
"We feel confident that there is no vacancy in the East Sepik provincial seat because the custodian of records is the clerk of parliament."
Wabag MP Sam Abal said the actions of the speaker showed that power-hungry leaders were trying to destroy a man who had served the country for 45 years.
East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu said it was a sad day for the people of East Sepik that the founding father of the nation had been treated in such a way.
"Today, they had confirmed that their real motive is to remove the Grand Chief as East Sepik regional MP during this urgent recall of parliament.
"Addressing outstanding issues was just a cover-up," Wararu said.
FORMER government frontbenchers expressed shock over the decision to remove the nation's "founding father" by Parliament Speaker Jeffrey Nape yesterday, The National reports.
The group was in the middle of a joint media conference when a tearful Dame Carol Kidu arrived to announce that Sir Michael had been removed.
Madang MP Sir Arnold Amet, East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu, Angoram MP Arthur Somare, Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch, Kompiam-Ambum MP John Pundari and Nipa-Kutubu MP Philemon Embel expressed shock and anger.
Sir Arnold indicated that he would institute a contempt of court action against Nape, claiming that the speaker was trying to legitimise the illegal takeover of a legitimate government on Aug 2.
Nape's announcement yesterday was contrary to the advice given by the clerk to parliament, Don Pandan, who yesterday advised lawyers for Sir Michael, Posman Kua Aisi Lawyers, that Sir Michael would avoid being absent from three consecutive meetings of parliament if he attended yesterday's session.
Pandan, in a letter dated Sept 6, 2011, stated; "I confirm that my records constituting the minutes of proceedings of the parliament, as required by Standing Orders 30 for 2011, show that Sir Michael has been absent for only the June and August 2011 meetings of parliament. He was granted leave by parliament for the May 2011 meeting.
"I confirm that when Sir Michael attends today's (yesterday) meeting of parliament, he will avoid being absent for three consecutive meetings of parliament, thus, being disqualified as the member of parliament for the East Sepik regional seat, pursuant to the requirements of section 104(2) d) of the Constitution."
Angoram MP Arthur Somare promised to bring his father to parliament during the Sept 20 sitting and challenged government leaders to try to stop him.
He said the significant issue was that they wanted the Grand Chief to come and present himself in parliament to preserve the East Sepik regional seat.
He said the people of East Sepik had given Sir Michael their mandate for 45 years and he had an unbroken record of holding the parliamentary seat for an extended period of time.
He said to witness his arrival in parliament yesterday was heartening.
"If he has missed three consecutive meetings, he will be disqualified and leave the seat vacant," Somare said.
He said the speaker had recognised and welcomed back the Grand Chief to parliament.
"We feel confident that there is no vacancy in the East Sepik provincial seat because the custodian of records is the clerk of parliament."
Wabag MP Sam Abal said the actions of the speaker showed that power-hungry leaders were trying to destroy a man who had served the country for 45 years.
East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu said it was a sad day for the people of East Sepik that the founding father of the nation had been treated in such a way.
"Today, they had confirmed that their real motive is to remove the Grand Chief as East Sepik regional MP during this urgent recall of parliament.
"Addressing outstanding issues was just a cover-up," Wararu said.
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