Prime Minister

Called it "the hardest decision I've ever made," an emotional Mr Key said "I don't know what I'll do next".

Deputy PM Bill English is likely to take over until the National Party holds a caucus to choose a new PM.

Mr Key, a popular leader, is stepping down at the request of his wife Bronagh, the New Zealand Herald reports.

He won a third term for the National Party at elections in September 2014. He said he would not be contesting the 2017 election.

'Nothing left'

A three-man Supreme Court bench consisting of Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, Justice David Cannings and Justice Stephen Kassman in a unanimous decision ruled that Polye has standing or the legal capacity to challenge the government’s decision in court through a Supreme Court application filed under section 18(1) of the Constitution.

They were of the view that Polye raised significant constitutional issues. They said he has the right to challenge the decision as he holds a public office and is a member of parliament.

“On this great day of celebration we have much to be proud of; much of what we have achieved and much of what we would achieve in the future.

“We are a united nation, we are a Christian country, and we make a pledge that we will stand together as one people, one nation, one country,” The Prime Minister told hundreds who gathered as early as 4am to witness the flag raising.

As PNG continues to build itself into a modern country, PM O’Neill said he is proud of the progress of the country thus far.

He addressed the public at around 9:30am; they had gathered as early as 4am outside the car park to pray.

O’Neill spoke to the crowd, outlining the importance of the prayer day and the opportunity for the country as a whole to connect with God and Christian opportunities.

He also spoke of how the churches had been providing services in the rural areas for the past 40 years and his recent government’s commitment to them.

Lawyers representing the Ombudsman Commission told the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon they are appealing against the decision of Jan 28, 2015 which saw the National Court allowed Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill certain orders restraining the Ombudsman Commission and obtain a reference under section 18(2) of the constitution for interpretation.

You must have concrete evidence, says PM O’Neill

I am not going to allow the Office of the Prime Minister to be demeaned, questioned when they are false allegations.

http://www.looppng.com/content/you-must-have-concrete-evidence-says-pm-o%E2%80%99neill

Police confirms 12 deaths after plane crash in Kiunga

Twelve people, including three children and the pilot, who crashed on Wednesday, are all confirmed dead.

The application sought by Pala was to stay two proceeding filed in the Supreme Court and one in the National Court.

Counsel representing Pala from Manase lawyers, David Levi, moved the application before Justices Derek Hartshorn, Don Sawong, Collin Makail, Terrence Higgins and Stephen Kassman.

The three cases that he asked the court to stay was SCA 87/2015, the appeal before the Supreme Court by Finance Minister James Marape that arose from the Paul Paraka bills and cost taxation case.

Polye said this after ascertaining the PM, urging exporters to bring their off-shore funds to cushion the current shortage of foreign exchange.

He said he also understood there were plans afoot for the Prime Minister and his government to review the terms and conditions under the controversial Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) K3 billion loan agreement.

“Well-placed sources tell me that Mr O’Neill’s Public Enterprise Minister William Duma and, Petroleum and Energy Minister Ben Micah are working on this arrangement.

PM’s lawyer seek stay of trial

Lawyers representing Prime Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday moved another application before the Supreme Court seeking to temporary stay the judicial review into the validity of his warrant of arrest.

http://www.looppng.com/content/pm%E2%80%99s-lawyer-seek-stay-trial

PM’s lawyers appeal against joiner in High Court

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama made the comments while speaking at the 48th Session of the International Sugar Organization (ISO) Council in London.

Bainimarama said the sugar cane industry is Fiji’s second biggest revenue earner and involves around 200,000 Fijians.

Government, Bainimarama said is committed to modernizing the industry by embracing new technology to improve yields.

 He added sugar is irreplaceable economically especially in the near term and cannot be allowed to decline.