29 Dec 2010

PNG parliament recalled for GG election in January

6:19 pm on 29 December 2010

Reports from Papua New Guinea say notices are being sent out to parliamentarians for a sitting on January the 11th to elect a new governor-general.

The acting speaker, Francis Marus, has told the newspaper, The National, that any other government and opposition business, such as a proposed vote of no-confidence motion, will not be entertained.

Three weeks ago, the Supreme Court had ruled that the July reappointment of Sir Paulias Matane as governor-general for a second term was unconstitutional.

It found that the Speaker, Jeffrey Nape, acted unlawfully by presiding over parliament at a time he was acting governor-general.

Opposition sources have told The National that they will now make another attempt to submit a notice for a vote of no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.