Papua New Guinea parliament adjourns with govt urging O’Neill to move
James Marape, prime minister of Papua New Guinea, speaks during a news conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Monday, July 22, 2019. Photographer: Mark Graham/Bloomberg
PORT MORESBY, Feb 26, 2020, RNZ. Papua New Guinea’s Parliament has adjourned for two and a half months. Before adjournment, the leader of government business asked members of the coalition who have been repeatedly critical of the James Marape-led administration to move to sit with the Opposition, Radio New Zealand reported.
The Post Courier reports that Rainbo Paita was referring to the former prime minister Peter O’Neill and his People’s National Congress Party.
Mr O’Neill has launched a series of scathing criticisms of his successor’s handling of PNG’s struggling economy.
Under Mr Marape, who was elected as prime minister nine months ago, the government has embarked on a programme of reforms.
Mr Paita, who is also finance minister, urged Mr O’Neill and others to support the government’s reform programme or move to the Opposition ranks.
Parliament is to resume on 12 May.
During the two-week February Parliament session, the Marape government introduced long-touted legislation to address corruption.
Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Davis Steven thanked MPs for voting unanimously for the Whistleblowers Act, which provides protection for those who report on corruption.
Mr Steven also introduced a bill to create an Independent Commission Against Corruption, legislation which is to go through its first reading.
Share it
| 
| 
| 
| 
|