13 Jul 2004

PNG Opposition says its push for a no confidence vote is justified

7:43 pm on 13 July 2004

The Papua New Guinea Opposition has hit back at criticism from the Catholic Church's Assembly which last week said it was disgusted at the political games being played in Port Moresby.

That was a reference to the Opposition's push for a vote of no confidence and the Government's manoeuvrings to avoid it.

The Assembly said the Opposition must give good reasons why it should be allowed to govern, and present clear alternative policies, while the Government should not use the issue to avoid addressing the real issues facing PNG.

But Opposition leader Peter O'Neill says part of their role is to test the mandate of the Government on the floor of Parliament.

And he says they have presented alternative policies.

"unless the Catholic Church and the hierarchy have not been reading the press, we have come up clear on many issues the Opposition believes in, including new initiatives on health and education, on infrastructure and law and order. So these are some of the major issues affecting the country and we believe we can provide a better alternative than the current government"