PM O'Neill seeks legal advice on decision to recall parliament

The Prime Minister Peter O’Neill  has been briefed on the decision by the Supreme Court ordering the recall of the Parliament, and is seeking further legal advice on the decision.

In relation to the proposed vote of no confidence that has again been proposed by the Opposition, the Prime Minister said this is another costly attempt to cause instability for the sake of political self-indulgence.

“The vote proposed by the opposition is mischievous and continues to lack the support of the Members of Parliament,” the Prime Minister said.

“The PNC-led Coalition Government has overwhelming support on the floor of Parliament to complete this term of Government.

“The small group of opposition members are opportunists who put their own political interests ahead of the nation. The latest vote attempt seeks to create instability and mislead the public, but these political games only harm the economy and cause the loss of jobs.

“Recalling Parliament will also cost hundreds of thousands of Kina that would be better spent on hospital beds or teacher training.

“Our Government will continue to do the good work we have delivered for the first four years of this Parliament.

“We will ensure that our core policy areas and programs continue and parents can be assured that school fees will be paid and their children will receive an education.

“Our universal healthcare policy will continue to help more people to recover from sickness and injury, and keep families together.

“We will continue to build the infrastructure of our nation so that people can use more bridges, roads, jetties and buildings such as teachers’ colleges and medical centres.

“Law and order around the country will continue to improve as we are the first Government to begin properly funding our police, judiciary and correctional services.

“We will continue strengthening the village courts and village counselor systems so that people at the local level, our grassroots, can have their grievances heard.

“Through our Government, for the first time in our nation’s history, funding is being provided directly to the districts and provinces and is being fairly 

allocated to improve lives.

“Through our ongoing engagement with the international investment community, our Government has enhanced investor confidence and this is bringing in billions of Kina in foreign investment.

“Companies like ExxonMobil, TOTAL and New Crest Mining are investing in Papua New Guinea and creating new jobs because they have confidence in our economic management and political leadership.

“The reality is that the people of our nation know that they are in a much better position today than they were four years ago.

“The people know that our Government has delivered on its promises and we will continue to do so.”