The country’s alternative government has filed a Supreme Court appeal challenging the adjournment of Parliament by the National Government to August 2.
Opposition Leader Don Poyle in a news conference today said: “A Constitutional process must be accomplished.”
He was referring to the Motion of Vote of No-Confidence (VONC) which the Opposition filed last Tuesday, but the next day, the Government used its numerical strength to adjourn Parliament, into the VONC grace period.
After July 27, 2016, no motion of VONC can be moved against the Government.
Poyle stated the six reasons for submitting the VONC against the O’Neill-Dion Government are;
- Whereabouts of the LNG revenue and the K3 billion UBS loan.
- Prime Minister Peter O’Neill not following parliamentary process and Constitution to get loans.
- Excessive contract variations outside of legal process (Financial Management Act).
- Mismanagement of the country’s economy by the Government.
- Shooting of UPNG students by heavily armed Police.
- The Government using its numerical strength to suppress Parliament debate and peaceful protest.
Former Attorney General Kerenga Kua says only the Supreme Court can direct Parliament to reconvene.
“The Parliament only assumes, when on the date that is has been adjourned to.
“However if the adjournment breached the Constitution the Court can order a recall of Parliament.”
“The Court is not responsible for procedural process, but if there is a constitutional prescription and if you do not follow this Constitution prescription, the court will bring you back to that point and tell you to comply with that.
“They do not have the power to do anything else but ask you to comply with the Constitution,” Kua said.
The Supreme Court case was filed yesterday and will go for directional hearing next Monday.