Vote of no confidence

Directions hearing for VoNC

The special Supreme Court reference went for directions hearing today before Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika.

Any parties interested in joining or intervening in the Special Supreme Court reference have until 21 March to file their respective applications, seeking to join in the reference.

Lawyers acting for the Speaker of Parliament, Clark of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition, Patrick Pruaitch, appeared in court today, along with councils representing the referrer of special Supreme Court reference, Attorney General Steven Davis.

Govt is intact: Duma

Minister for Public Enterprise and State Investments, William Duma, says the current Government remains confident they will survive a Vote of No Confidence.

“The Government is intact and we have the numbers. The Prime Minister enjoys the support of the majority of the numbers,” Duma stated.

Vote of no confidence to be held today in Niue

The Rock's four-day working week and a $2 million budget deficit are among concerns behind the motion.

Five opposition MPs say their concerns around essential services have fallen on deaf ears with the lengthy absences of Premier Talagi on medical grounds.

Opposition MP Terry Coe says he understands the Premier's health is not the best, but it's affecting the running of the country.

TIPNG: MP’s must not lose sight of calls for reform

This was the call by Chairman of Transparency International PNG (TIPNG), Lawrence Stephens following yesterday’s Vote of No Confidence.

"Members have assembled for an important vote and have made a decision.

“This is what legislators are expected to do. Members of Parliament are also representatives of the people and many of the people have been begging parliamentarians to take note of their concerns, “said Stephens.

Stephens added that it should be clear to every politician and public servant by now that the people are concerned.

An observation on vote of no confidence session

Even before the parliamentary staff had arrived with the mace, the government members took their benches together with the Prime Minister.

They were later joined by the Opposition comprising 21 members.

Upon the arrival of the Speaker Theo Zurenuoc and his staff, parliament resumed with prayers.

The Speaker then set the general rules for the session, cautioning MPs to behave and follow standing orders of the day.

He also made it clear that the only item of business for the day was the Motion for the Vote of No Confidence, and nothing else.

Business as usual as O’Neill remains

 PMV buses and taxis are operating normal throughout the city.

The private owned vehicles are the lifeline of the city because the  majority of Port Moresby's  residents  rely on it for transportation.

Shops remained open and residents either watched  TV  or listened to the radio sets anticipating the outcome of the VONC against Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

However, schools around the vicinity of Parliament have closed as a precaution measure.

St Peter Channel and Wardstrip Primary Schools have cancelled classes.

Peter O’Neill remains Prime Minister of PNG

After a battle of words from both sides of the House the Speaker Theo Zurenuoc called for the vote to be taken.

The Opposition argued that the Speaker did not give them the chance to debate on the issues but moved quickly to vote for the motion.

O’Neill now remains the Prime minister until the 2017 National elections.

Parliament has been adjourned to August 9.

More to come...

PNG Loop's Breakfast Bites

Police to be on full alert during Parliament session

http://www.looppng.com/content/police-be-full-alert-during-parliament-session

Commander for NCD and Central Province, Sylvester Kalaut has assured the general public that police will not tolerate any mischievousness from the public during or after the Parliament sitting tomorrow.

Masiu sworn-in as MP by Speaker of Parliament

Police to be on full alert during Parliament session

Kalaut made this clear in a media briefing today anyone who tries to interrupt or take the law into their own hands will be dealt with accordingly.

NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi says the police will not allow anyone coming into the city in convoys to disrupt the normalcy in the city.

Turi was  advised by Parliament security yesterday that there are limited spaces available for equal number of representatives from each province to stand in to hear the Vote of No Confidence tomorrow.

Zeming slams Opposition’s tactic of vote of no-confidence

Zeming in a statement said the suggestion by the Deputy Opposition Leader of moving a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister at this sitting of Parliament was simply a waste of valuable time.

“Every single time the Parliament sits, the Opposition say they will try a vote of no confidence, and every time they do this the Opposition are embarrassed,” Zeming said.

“This is a waste of time that could be used for the Parliament to discuss legislation that is needed for the nation.

“Our National Parliament is not a place for Sam Basil to play foolish games.