1 Apr 2004

PNG opposition leader not planning immediate vote of no-confidence

4:39 pm on 1 April 2004

Papua New Guinea's opposition leader, Sir Mekere Morauta, says he is not planning to put forward a vote of no-confidence in the government once parliament resumes.

Parliament is to meet soon to try again to elect a new governor-general after the Supreme Court ruled that Sir Pato Kakaraya was not chosen in a lawful manner.

Parliament was adjourned in January for five months but Sir Michael Somare now says he will call a special cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss the court ruling.

Sir Mekere says the Prime Minister can no longer avoid calling parliament, but as far as numbers in parliament are concerned, the government is probably safe for now.

However, Sir Mekere won't rule out a vote of no-confidence at a later date...

"That remains a possibility now until a year before the next general election because the protective umbrella, constitutionally, expired in February. So any parliament from now on until a year before the election, a vote of confidence can be put."

Sir Mekere Morauta