Supreme Court Reference

Member for Madang, Bryan Kramer, says he has instructed the party’s counsel, Nemo Yalo, to file a Supreme Court reference that will challenge the 18 month grace period.

He is of the view that the 18 month grace period undermines democracy.

“We are also going to be filing a constitutional reference in relation to the disbursements of DSIP funds, seeking a Supreme Court reference on constitutional questions as to the distribution of the DSIP funds that favour members of government and prejudice members of the opposition,” he said.

This reference was filed on July 10 by runner-up in the Ialibu-Pangia seat, Stanley Liria, questioning the legality of polling that was conducted on Sunday, July 2, after it was deferred from Friday, June 30.

In the reference, the high court was asked to interpret section 130 of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government elections.

But lawyers representing Liria today asked the Supreme Court to have the entire proceeding withdrawn.

The Speaker of Parliament, Constitutional Law and Reform Committee, and the Electoral Commission were allowed to be joined as parties today.

Leave was granted by Justice Collin Makail. They join Prime Minister Peter O’Neill who is the first intervener.

Lawyer representing the Speaker was supposed to inform the court today what happens to proposed Bills when Parliament adjourned to go into election.

This did not take place and the Speaker’s lawyer sought an adjournment to next week so he can get proper instructions to inform the court.

They are also asking the Supreme Court to restrain further deliberation on the proposed amendments until the Reference is heard and deliberated upon by the Supreme Court. This is after the successful first vote of the proposed amendments.