Parliament opens at 10am

By CALDRON LAEPA
PARLIAMENT will be declared open at 10am today by Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Michael Ogio.
A parade by the PNG Defence Force, including a 19-gun salute, will mark the opening session of the ninth Parliament following the 2012 election.
After the ceremony and a formal reception which will see the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill deliver his opening address which will include him thanking the governor-general, and the opposition leader’s statement, parliament will be suspended until 2pm.
Meanwhile, parliament has beefed up its protocol under new Speaker Theo Zurenuoc.
Security will be tightened up on identification cards and passes held by visitors, staff, media representatives and people working in and around Parliament will have to observe a dress code.
Parliamentary clerk Don Pandan has given out instructions for the formalities to be observed.
Pandan issued letters to all media last week to ensure dress standards were maintained.
Parliamentary security advised that everyone entering parliament would be checked.