PNG's Madang MP Bryan Kramer releases statement following his removal from Office

A Leadership Tribunal in PNG has handed down its ruling on the penalty in relation to the finding of guilt of the seven (7) counts of misconduct in office against Madang MP Bryan Kramer.  The tribunal called for Kramers' dismissal from office. 

Madang MP Bryan Kramer dismissed from Officer 

Following the handing down the decision by the tribunal , Mr.Kramer released the following statement. 

///

A Leadership Tribunal in PNG has handed down its ruling on the penalty in relation to the finding of guilt of the seven (7) counts of misconduct in office against me (Brian Kramer). 

The Tribunal categorized the seven counts of misconduct into two main categories in determining whether there is serious culpability (wrongdoing on my part) warranting my dismissal from office or recommending a lesser penalty of a fine or suspension of no more than three months without pay.

Category 1 included counts 1 and 2 that related to my Facebook publications scandalising the judiciary. 

Count 1 being the publication insinuating a conflict of interest by the Chief Justice.

Count 2 related to accusing Peter O'Neill and his lawyer of soliciting the assistance of the Chief Justice and submitting a fabricated document to mislead the Court that the warrant of arrest was defective. 

Category 2 included the remaining 5 counts that related to the decisions of the Madang District Development Authority Board in the application of the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) Funds in renting office space for the establishment of a project office to deliver District projects at the ward level, paying electoral staff who were involved in implementing  the projects and establishing a ward project staff structure without obtaining approval from the Secretary of Personnel Management and engaging an associate company that was paid K3,000 a fortnight. 

In short, the Tribunal recommended a penalty of dismissal from office in relation to counts 1 and 2 and a fine of K2,000 for each of  remaining 5 counts, a total fine of K10,000.00.

Based on the Tribunal’s finding on guilt on seven counts handed down on 21 February 2023, today’s ruling for dismissal was expected.

So what happens now?

The decision recommending dismissal from office will be delivered to the Speaker who will then recommend to the Governor General (GG) to adopt the Tribunal's recommendation to dismiss me from office. The decision of the GG will be gazetted and takes effect. At that point I will no longer be a Member of Parliament.

Of course, it is certainly not the end of the issue as I have already been working on an appeal to challenge the both rulings on verdict and penalty  in the National Court, a process that may take three to six months if not longer. If unsuccessful in the National Court, there is the option of appealing to the Supreme Court.

There are many cases where decisions of a Tribunal have been reviewed and overturned in the higher courts. 

Today's decision in no way diminishes my resolve in the fight against corruption nor will it keep me from informing the  public on issues of national importance or exposing high-level corruption. 

In my view it's the calm before the storm.

Next : Security Preparations underway for US President Biden and Indian Pm Modi''s visits to PNG