Rebels missing

PARLIAMENT, devoid of rebellious voices interjecting as in recent sessions, got off to a quiet, smooth start yesterday.
It started at about 2.15pm when Deputy Speaker Jeffery Komal walked into the chamber and got straight to business.
Unlike in the past when the session was suspended until the second ringing of the bell, MPs although late by five to 10 minutes were in the chamber well within time.
The first to arrive were Government MPs at 2.05pm and got straight into the sorting of sitting arrangements. The Opposition, comprising about 12 MPs, arrived just as Komal was walking in.
It was a different without the ever vocal Opposition MPs in Bryan Kramer (Madang), now Police Minister, and Kerenga Kua (Sinasina-Yongomugl), now Petroleum Minister.
Compared with the previous sitting, Kramer, known for his countless point of orders, tried to get Komal’s attention to be given the chance to ask questions but on a more subdued manner. Equally docile was Kua.
Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill sat at the back bench.
Hagen MP William Duma also sat on the Government back benches.
The rest of the Opposition MPs remained on their side.
Rainbo Paita, who was appointed Leader of Government Business, took control of the order of business for the day.
Marape told Parliament a controversial contract awarded to a security company (not named) must be cancelled. He asked the Immigration minister and the Foreign Affairs minister to convey this to Canberra that PNG would not tolerate foreign companies engaged in business like security that national companies could be engaged in.
Parliament continues today at 10am.