18 Dec 2009

Vanuatu Speaker loses appeal over failed attempt to remove Prime Minister Natapei

5:43 pm on 18 December 2009

Vanuatu's Court of Appeal has thrown out an appeal by the Parliamentary Speaker, Maxime Carlot Korman, over his attempt to declare the Prime Minister's seat vacant.

Earlier this month Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek declared Mr Carlot Korman's decision that Prime Minister Edward Natapei had lost his seat for failing to notifying Parliament of his absence from the country during November, was unconstitutional and has no legal effect.

Mr Carlot Korman appealed but Justice Oliver Saksak today issue an oral decision dismissing the application.