PNG govt makes headlines for wrong reasons

THE chaotic days of PNG politics have been further undermined by a prime minister who seems hell-bent on hanging on to power at any cost and threaten another MP.
It is unfortunate his threat against Bulolo MP Sam Basil has made headlines in the Daily Telegraph (UK), ABC, Australia Network News, SBS, The First Post, Herald Sun and news.com among
others.
It was speaker Jeffery Nape’s decision to ignore the will of parliament and adjourned the house that led to the chaos.
However, this is not the first time the Somare government has shown its contempt for democratic principles.
The government had refused to accept a community petition; tried to unlawfully ban the media from reporting on the Environment Act amendments; bulldozed amendments through parliament with no debate or disclosure; failed to follow the law by insisting ministers step aside when facing a leadership tribunal; failed to deliver promised consultation on changes to the leadership code; described peaceful demonstrators as “longlongs”; sworn in a governor-general who was not formally elected; and the long list goes on.

Walthur Mutono-Nipukave,
Port Moresby