O’Neill called out over dressing

By HELEN TARAWA
IALIBU-Pangia MP and People’s National Congress party leader Peter O’Neill was put on the spot in Parliament yesterday for his dressing which was claimed to be inappropriate.
Madang MP and Police Minister Bryan Kramer raised a point of order to bring to Parliament’s attention that O’Neill had not followed the dress code for Parliament.
Kramer said Parliament had strict dress regulations of suit and tie.
“Some of us have been turned away and it’s only appropriate that he has to leave the chamber as he is not dressed appropriately,” he said.
O’Neill was in the process of grilling Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey over finance, particularly the K1.2bil interest-free loan from the International Monetary Fund, when he was interrupted by Kramer.
The MPs started mumbling among themselves for about 10 minutes.
Deputy Speaker and Markham MP Koni Iguan, who was in the chairman’s seat running the Parliament session yesterday, had to seek the advice of the clerks of parliament to respond to the point of order.
He was advised that a member of parliament with a safari tie and suit was still acceptable in the House.
The last time an MP was put on the spot was last year when Speaker Job Pomat reminded the MPs to dress appropriately when Kerema open MP Richard Mendani walked into the chamber without a suit.
Acting Clerk of Parliament Kala Aufa told The National that the dress code had always been business attire, a suit and a tie.
However, Aufa said lately MPs had been seen in safari suits which they had allowed but now that questions had been raised, they would have to relook at the dress code.
“As long as they are dressed well, neat and presentable in the House,” Aufa said.