Don Polye

This is in compliance with the Order of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCC[OS]) No. 3 of 2016 dated July 12.

The Supreme Court ordered the speaker to recall parliament within 5 days, including today, to have the motion of no-confidence introduced, debate and voted on as a matter of national importance and urgency.

An order was also made to the clerk of parliament to place the notice of motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister as the first item of business of parliament on the first day of sitting.

The two Supreme Court election petition reviews filed by Don Polye and Alfred Luke Manase will return for directions before a Single judge. Review books will now be settled in preparation for the substantive hearing. A date will be set for that hearing on Monday.

On Friday a three-judge Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices Allan David, Jacinta Murray and Frazer Pitpit handed down their decisions on four preliminary applications filed by applicants in the two reviews.

Each party in the case filed two applications that were ruled on yesterday (Friday July 8).

Submissions were made by parties in court yesterday on the Opposition application challenging the conduct of parliament when it adjourned to August 2 without considering the Vote of no-confidence motion after it was filed on the speaker’s office on June 7.

Opposition Leader Don Polye’s lawyer Marshall Cook told the court the motion for no confidence vote against the Prime Minister that was filed on June 7 was signed by more than 11 MPs.

Polye said in the short run, the loan will ease foreign exchange shortage but in the long run, it will make PNG’s economic and financial problems worse. He highlighted this during a media conference at Parliament house today.

He said O’Neill had destroyed PNG’s economic reputation overseas and had made unscrupulous lenders realise how desperate the Prime Minister is adding that the Credit Suisse loan is set at 7% interest in US dollars and the standard inter-banking interest rate (known as LIBOR) is about 1%.

Polye made this statement during a media conference at Parliament, adding that Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s new Commission of Inquiry into the student unrest and police reaction would be expensive, biased and unproductive.

Buildings and facilities are being burnt down following the continuous boycott by students at both the University of Papua New Guinea in Moresby and the PNG University of Technology in Lae.

At Unitech, a male student passed away as a result of wounds sustained from an apparent targeted attack by a group of men armed with bush knives in the male dormitories last night.

At around 1am, fire was set to the SRC president's residence, DODL and ATCDI buildings, and finally the mess. These buildings suffered substantial damage from the fire.

Polye made the call upon learning that most of the mainstream churches in the country have been silent on issues affecting the country and its leadership.

While speaking to a number of people at a ground breaking ceremony in Mendi, Southern Highlands Province, on Wednesday, he commended Catholic and Lutheran bishops for openly criticising the politicians.

“SDAs and other mainstream churches are silent. These bishops have slammed the government for passing bad laws, undermining rule of law and bad governance.

Polye expressed concerns over the absence and run-down police station at Malalaua in Gulf Province. This was after his surprise visit to the station on Wednesday, accompanied by Kikori MP Mark Maipakai.

“The lack of police presence and logistical support to those police officers on the ground in the district is worrying. Development is only taking place in Port Moresby and other major centres while places like Malalaua are in dire straits.

The Supreme Court will hear and determine the consolidated review that has four applications filed before it proceeds to hearing the substantive issue. Each party in the case has filed two applications.

The matter came for directions today where Chief Justice, Sir Salamo Injia directed Supreme Court registry to prepare the appeal books.

Parties are expected to file extracts of arguments by next Monday (June 26).

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia in hearing the application today indicated the Court will deal with the case in the next two weeks.

Leader of Opposition, Don Polye yesterday instructed his lawyer, Loani Henao to file the application challenging the conduct of parliament when it adjourned to August 2 without considering the Vote of no- confidence motion.

The Opposition on June 7 filed the fourth Vote of no-confidence motion, however on June 8 at 10:30am; Parliament was adjourned to August 2.