Defections from Opposition criticised

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday June 18th, 2013

 THE PNG Country Party has criticised Opposition  members defecting to the Government.

Party president Nelson Duwabane said last week that there was no reason for them to switch as it was important to have a strong Opposition.

He said excuses were unacceptable as there were equal opportunities for them to deliver services to the people from the Opposition as it was from the Government despite people thinking otherwise.

Every member, including those in the Opposition, were entitled to K10 million for district services improvement programme funds, Duwabane said.

“Vanimo Green is not Belden Namah,” he said.

“They are people of PNG and they rightfully deserve equal services so they should also receive their share despite their leader being in the Opposition.” 

Duwabane said that as shadow ministers,  they also had several entitlements.

“In the Westminister system and in any democracy there must be an effective Opposition that can provide checks and balances and effective alternative policies to ensure there was a good government,” he said.

Duwabane’s party lost two members – Jeffery Kuave (Lufa MP) and Richard Mendani (Kerema MP) – who defected to the People’s Congress Party of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

He applauded the seven Members of Parliament who had remained in the Opposition.