Court stalls motion

A SUPREME Court reference has stalled an attempt by Papua New Guinea’s opposition to progress on a vote of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister James Marape.

RNZ Pacific PNG Correspondent Scott Waide says while the parliamentary committee deliberated on the motion at lunchtime on Wednesday, the attorney-general headed to the

Supreme Court.

Mr Waide said the reference questions whether the motion would strengthen the democratic process or if it was an opportunistic move to take over government.

“It’s a usual tactic by governments past to bring forth something like that, especially during the vote of no confidence to the courts to just delay the process of the vote of no confidence,” he said.

Tussle within the opposition

There has been a lot of movement on the opposition benches in the last two days.

The opposition leader resigned, and East Sepik governor Alan Bird has been put forward as their candidate for prime minister out of a long list of possibilities. “There appears to be this tussle within the opposition,” Mr Waide said.

He said there was deep dissatisfaction among MPs on the opposition benches.

“Many are saying that a lot of money has been squandered and wasted and paid to contracts allegedly associated with the prime minister,” Mr Waide said.

Mr Marape was taken to task by former prime minister Peter O’Neill over the issue.

Mr O’Neill alleges corruption has marred the Connect PNG construction projects, something Mr Marape has denied.

The afternoon session of Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting was adjourned following the Supreme Court reference being lodged.