O'neill: Bring debate to Parliament
"While I welcome Polye’s invitation, the appropriate venue for the debate he proposes is Parliament. It is there that the nation can decide whether the issues being brought up are of national importance, or merely personal frustrations," Mr O’Neill said.
Last Friday Mr Polye had indicated that he wanted an open debate on television and the mass media to allow for issues of the K3 billion UBS loan, the K50 million payments to LR Group of Companies under the PM’s letter of direction, the K1 billion sky scraper project and other equally important issues like the Ok Tedi mine and handling of PNGSDP, to name a few to be addressed.
He said he has already written a letter to the Prime Minister inviting him for the open debate on these controversial issues proposing March 21 or Easter when all families were at homes and would have time to watch.
"I believe that it is the mandated duty and moral obligation of a Prime Minister to be honest, transparent and sincere with the country and the people," Mr Polye said. Our PM is no exception and is answerable to the country and the people. I too am answerable to the people of PNG as a leader," he said.
But Mr O’Neill said that there was no need for the open debate now but for Mr Polye to wait for Parliament to resume in May so they could address and debate on those issues
He said it should be noted that the Kandep MP has already gone public to discuss the issues that he was raising.
"He has used the media extensively to discuss these issues. He has gone on talk-back radio. He arranged a public forum at the University of Papua New Guinea.
"On all occasions we as a responsible government provided adequate responses to the issues raised." Mr Polye has also filed court proceedings over these issues. He must respect the judiciary and allow the court process to be completed.
PNG TODAY/Post Courier
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