Opposition: We’ll fight despite not receiving electoral funds

 THE six members of the Opposition say they have not sold out like their former colleagues who had defected to the Government.

Deputy Opposition leader Sam Basil said the majority of MPs had crossed the floor for quick release of their district services improvement programme (DSIP) and district support grant (DSG) funds.

He said it was difficult for them to have access to their electoral funds but they would “stick to their guns”.

“They think that that money is in the hands of the prime minister,” Basil said.

“Yes, they make it hard for us but in the long run they cannot hold that money forever.

“The prime minister may control the Finance Department in releasing this but before the end of the year he has to give the required money for our districts.

“If he doesn’t, we will take the matter to court.

 “We will mobilise our people in front of Parliament and in front of National Executive Council and demand that the prime minister release our constitutional grants

“My district (Bulolo) is part of PNG and my 100,000 people are part of PNG.”

Basil said the country needed an effective opposition as an essential part of its democratic system of government.

“We know our role as legislators on the floor of Parliament,” he said.

“We know that PNG needs an opposition.

“We will still remain in the Opposition. We will fight for the country.

“But I know that PNG politics is very fluid, PNG politics changes overnight, and the way Peter O’Neill is carrying on, I don’t think he will last long.

“I know that O’Neill will crumble along the way, anytime.”