Kerenga Kua

Ipatas petition shows PM lost support: Kua

Kerenga Kua says this was evident when Sir Peter Ipatas filed a Supreme Court reference questioning the validity of the District Development Authority.

Kua explained that for a member of the O’Neill Government to file a court reference, as Governor for Enga has done on March 15th, with the support of sixteen other provincial governors, shows that major issues can no longer be addressed.

Shadow Minister concerned with APEC Security Act

The Act was passed in 2017 and amended this year.

Shadow Minister Kerenga Kua, who is also the Sinesine-Yongomugl MP, believes the amended APEC Safety and Security Act contracts PNG’s sovereignty to foreign soldiers who will be coming into this country.

Kua says the Act directs citizens to treat foreign security as they would members of the PNG Defence Force and Royal PNG Constabulary, even though this country was not involved in their respective screening and vetting.

Ministers should not meddle in appointments: Kua

Sinasina-Yongomugl and Shadow Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Police, Correctional Services and Defence, Kerenga Kua, said SOEs are really struggling with other private entities in terms of profit making.

He added that the Government must be serious and look into such issues and address it amicably.

“We cannot allow politicians to continue to control the appointment of directors and CEOs of state owned enterprises.

“We must allow the SOEs to operate as an independent entity.”

PM defends overseas trips

Kerenga Kua had claimed that Peter O’Neill had been frequently attending various overseas meetings without addressing issues affecting the country.

Kua said the Prime Minister should return home and take a hard look at the sufferings of our people and tighten the government belt on wanton spending.

However, Prime Minister O’Neill responded and told this newsroom that Kua’s statement is just cheap politics.

Shadow AG questions PM’s frequent trips

Shadow Attorney General, Kerenga Kua, expressed indignation that the PM continues to travel the world while education, health care and other services in the country have collapsed due to irresponsible government spending.

“The Prime Minister should return home and take a hard look at the sufferings of our people and tighten the government belt on wanton spending,” Kua said.

Tentative dates for MPs’ contempt case

The trial will see Bryan Kramer, Sir Mekere Morauta, Patrick Pruaitch and Kerenga Kua answer to allegations of contempt that are being raised by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill regarding issues that were before the courts.

Twivey Lawyers today informed the Supreme Court there are seven distinct allegations leveled against each MP.

Only Vanimo-Green MP, Belden Namah, is yet to be served the contempt motion.

Accused public office holders can be suspended: Kua

This was the effect of a Supreme Court interpretation handed down on 22 December 2017. 

“This puts an end to many decades of confusion,” says Shadow Attorney General, Kerenga Kua.

Prior to this decision, the courts took various conflicting positions that suspension took place when:

PM to fix books in contempt applications

The applications briefly came before the Supreme Court today and were adjourned to the end of the month.

The application seeking contempt charges were against Sir Mekere Morauta, Patrick Pruaitch, Kerenga Kua, Belden Namah and Bryan Kramer.

It was filed in the two joint appeals that is challenging the National Court’s decision of August 8, which found that the court cannot judicially review the arrest warrant that was issued against the Prime Minister in 2014.

The joint appeals have been heard with a decision pending from a three-man Supreme Court bench.

Opposition MPs yet to get statements filed

Sir Mekere Morauta, Patrick Pruaitch and Kerenga Kua are yet to file their statements because they want their case given to an expatriate lawyer.

Their lawyer told the court today that they are awaiting the approval of the brief out by the Attorney General.

The Supreme Court today gave an extension of one week to the lawyer for the three MPs to file their affidavits.

Madang Open MP, Bryan Kramer, who is representing himself in court, was not present. Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah’s lawyer was also not in court.

​OSL share sale an admittance of error: Kua

“The forced sale means the Prime Minister has now admitted that he made a serious mistake,” says Kua.

“Right from the word ‘go’, the State had a statutory right to buy direct into the Elk/Antelope Gas project. It did not have to enter that project indirectly through Oil Search. 

“The Prime Minister was advised of this and he knew it. Also there was no commercial case made out in indirectly through Oil Search Ltd and the Prime Minister was also advised of it.