PNG Politics Forum: Ombudman forces Somare to recall Parliament

Parlt recalled under pressure

By PEARSON KOLO

THE Government may have been pressured by statutory bodies to recall Parliament before November 10, say government insiders.
Following Parliaments rushed adjournment on July 29 soon after a notice of motion for a vote of no confidence in the Government by the Opposition, the general public, statutory
bodies and non government organisations and the Opposition urged the Government to recall Parliament in order to address major issues affecting the country.
In the event Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, Speaker Jeffery Nape and leader of Government Business and National Planning Minister Paul Tiensten were referred to the Ombudsman
Commission for a possible breach of the Constitution for their part in adjourning Parliament.
The Ombudsman Commission confirmed receiving their referral but the outcome is not known.
The Opposition claimed the constitutional requirement to sit for a full nine weeks or 63 days in a year would not be reached and that it was a breach of the Constitution itself.
But Sir Michael brushed that argument aside and said it was the prerogative of the Government to recall Parliament at any time to meet the required number of sitting days.
The Prime Minister said recently that Parliament will be recalled on October 20 to sit for a week to deal with outstanding Government bills.
But certain Government insiders claimed that the Government had been ordered by the Ombudsmen Commission to recall Parliament before November 10.
However, the commission said it did not pressure the Government to recall Parliament early.
Sir Michael said the recall was to deal with Government bills which were yet to be considered by Parliament.
They are expected to sit for only one week and then adjourn to November 10 for the budget session.

Ombudman forces Somare to recall Parliament

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