The Supreme Court has ordered that parliament must reconvene its November sitting next Monday 14th December 2020 and has declared all proceedings of the November 17 sitting unconstitutional and invalid.
These includes the passage of the 2021 budget by government MP’s and the adjournment of parliament until April 20, 2021.
The high court’s decision was unanimously in favour of the Opposition challenging the legal standing in the November 17 sitting of parliament which was recalled by the Speaker Job Pomat overruling an earlier decision by Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan to adjourn parliament to December 01.
The court also declared that the parliament sitting of 13th November and the decisions made in the sitting to adjourn parliament to December 01 are constitutional, valid and effective.
The decision for parliament to reconvene next Monday has signalled more uncertainty in the political crisis with more lobbying in both the Loloata and Crown Hotel camps ahead of the Monday sitting for a possible motion of No Confidence in the leadership of PM James Marape.
Outside of the Waigani courthouse, Opposition leader Belden Namah told reporters his camp was ready and looking forward to the sitting on Monday.
“We welcome the decision today by the Supreme Court. We are ready for 14th December to go into parliament.”
Mr Namah called on Speaker Job Pomat to “do the right thing” and recall parliament. He said decision of the court was clear and the orders were given accordingly that parliament be recalled at 10am on Monday.
“As far as team Vanimo camped at the Crown Hotel is concerned, we are ready to deliver the government to the people of Papua New Guinea,” said Mr Namah.
