OC directed to serve reference to public bodies

By TREVOR WAHUNE
The Supreme Court has directed the Ombudsman Commission to serve reference to specific public bodies before tomorrow on the Public Money Management Regularisation Act (PMMRA)
This will allow them time to file statements of response within 14 days to answer questions concerning validity of the recently-passed PMMRA.
Chief Justice Judge Sir Salamo Injia, in a direction hearing on Friday, directed the OC to serve reference to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Treasury Charles Abel, Secretary for Treasury Dairi Vele, Minister for Finance James Marape, Secretary for Finance Dr Ken Ngangan, Speaker Job Pomat and the Constitutional Law Reform Commission.
Justice Sir Salamo further directed that after statements of responses were filed and served to the referrer (OC) by July 31, it would then have to file applications to amend the references if any new questions were introduced by the court.
He said all parties should file and serve their affidavits to hear before the deadline on Aug 8.
The matter return for a further directions hearing on Aug 10.
Outside court, OC lawyer Vergil Narakobi told the media that all parties would basically be answering questions on whether provisions of the new PMMRA and/or its entirety was consistent with the Constitution and valid.
“The provisions of the Constitution that have been raised in the reference for the court to look at relate to the right to ownership of property,” he said.
“It will also look at whether this law will affect the independence of constitutional institutions.
“It will also look at whether this law will affect the power of the court to review any matter or grievances of people that want to come to court.
“It will also look at whether the penalties that are being imposed in this law are harsh and oppressive for people who do not comply with the law.”