30 May 2012

Somare group labels manouevring in PNG parliament mischievous

5:38 pm on 30 May 2012

A senior member of Sir Michael Somare's political group in Papua New Guinea says the parliamentary election of Peter O'Neill as prime minister after a vacancy was declared in the position is fundamentally flawed.

Today's election was called after the deputy speaker accepted last week's Supreme Court ruling upholding an earlier judgement that Sir Michael was illegally removed as prime minister when a vacancy was declared last August.

Sir Michael's Attorney General, Sir Arnold Amet says after ruling illegally for the past ten months on the contention that the court ruling was wrong, the O'Neill group cannot now have it both ways.

"Fundamentally this attempt to declare a further vacancy by reference to the fact that they recognise the Grand Chief's re-affirmation as Prime Minister, but then contend that he was nevertheless absent for three consecutive meetings (of parliament) and therefore they declare a vacancy... absolute mischief."

Sir Arnold Amet