Opposition

Police boss ‘aware’ of conspiracy

He alleges the attack on Parliament was part of this conspiracy.

The Police Commissioner and Commander of the Joint Security Task Force, Gari Baki, is of the strong view that the storming of Parliament was not only politically motivated but also part of a plot to take the police commissioner’s post.

Major problem with 2019 Appropriation Bills: Shadow Treasurer

“The Appropriations did not include K10.3 billion required to repay PNG’s debts,” says Shadow Minister for Treasury & Finance, Ian Ling-Stuckey.

“Unless this failure is fixed urgently, the government does not have the legal authority, as provided for under the Constitution, to make loan repayments. From 1 January 2019, PNG would immediately start breaching our loan agreements with our external partners such as the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and Credit Suisse. 

APEC Act will not harm PNGeans: Tkatchenko

In a press briefing, the APEC Minister countered concerns that the amended Act violates PNG’s constitution.

Concerns have been raised in the past few weeks over the amended APEC Safety and Security Act 2018.

Members of the Opposition, including church groups, highlighted that the legislation grants foreign security forces immunity from criminal or civil prosecution.

The Sunset Clause in particular has caused apprehension in the country as it allows foreign security forces to use ‘lethal force’ if required.

Stop Work protest

However Public Schools were closed as most students were kept home by parents over safety concerns.

Bus stops were empty in the morning with residents taking precaution making their way to work.

Some companies organized pick up vehicles for their employees while those who made their own way, went to work casually dressed.

By lunch time, it was business as usual for most city residents.

In Wewak town, PMV buses came to a standstill, as operators chose to participate in the nationwide sit-in protest.

Opposition’s planned protest ‘childish’

The Minister and Imbonggu MP, Pila Niningi, said: “The Members of the Opposition have an obligation to provide a check and balance to every government decisions but it has to be done on the floor of Parliament, not homes and streets.

“The nationwide stop-work protest planned by the Members of the Opposition can be seen as an irresponsible action.

“This is childish. It’s like a barking dog without teeth.”

Sovereign bond under-pricing a negotiation disaster: Opposition

“The massive under-pricing of the sovereign bond is like selling off more of PNG’s resources too cheaply,” said Ian Ling-Stuckey, PNG’s Shadow Minister for Treasury and Finance.

PM brushes away Opposition’s claims

Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch accused the Government of diverting K150 million to a separate account rather than the Disaster Trust Account set up on March 1, 2018.

He claimed that there has been no transparency on the restoration work carried out by the Controller of National Disaster state-of-emergency.

PM condemns calls for his resignation

O’Neill said now is the time for parties involved in the court decision that preceded the unrest to work together.

In a media conference yesterday, PM O’Neill said the leaders of Southern Highlands have organised themselves, particularly those involved in the election dispute, so they can work together to manage expectations of the people in the province.

He said every time there is an incident around the country, the Opposition always calls for his resignation.

Opposition calls on PM to resign

The Opposition, in a media conference this afternoon, said O'Neill's leadership has been tarnished when his own people burnt a Link PNG aircraft yesterday to show their frustrations.

The Opposition has expressed disappointment on the burning down of the aircraft along with the courthouse and the Governor’s residence.

Boycott ‘unbecoming of leaders’

Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel, said the Opposition leaders were not voted in to behave in such a manner.

Abel was accompanied by Government ministers yesterday, including ICT and Energy Minister, Sam Basil.

He said the referral was made and there was no need to boycott Friday’s session.