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From Moses Sakai on Three issues that will shape PNG politics from 2020 to 2022
Thank you Michael for this excellent piece.
1. It's quite difficult to understand politics in PNG. MPs in PNG find it very difficult to move from the government to opposition but very easy to move from opposition to the government which justifies your previous blog post about politics in PNG being fluid. For instance, just this week, Peter Numu, governor for Eastern Highlands moved to join the government from the opposition and Peter O'Neill to the opposition but Mr O'Neill insist to remain in the government. PM Marape, on emtv when welcoming Peter Numu, he said, "we are trading old Peter for a new Peter". This sounds hilarious but that's how PNG politics works. What matters is NOT the 'Rule of Law' but political party policy platforms. What MPs are doing is like they are literally tearing the constitution in front of the eight million citizens. It's more or less like Donald Trump's Senate Impeachment trial, his acquittal and his third State of the Union address which ended with Nancy Pelosi literally tearing Trump's speech in front of the congress and the world.
2. Political party policies matters. Your conclusion is inevitably likely to happen after the eighteen-month grace period for the election of prime minister because last year's VONC, the speaker Job Pomat obviously wanted O'Neill to retain the PM seat and in doing so, he ended up becoming a law professor turning the parliament's chamber into a lecture room with 110 law students to explain the Standing Orders of the parliament instead of running the election. So Speaker being the deputy leader of PNC, it is indeed likely to happen.
From Emmanuel Bobola on Three issues that will shape PNG politics from 2020 to 2022
Theoretically your assumptions and opinions may work, however, our parliamentary processes have been tampered with when Peter O'Neill removed Sir Michael Somare and installed himself as the prime minister.
This action by O'Neill forever questioned the power of parliamentary processes and also strength of the separation of powers.
In an ideal democracy (there is none), this works.
Experience has taught us that the Papua New Guinea democracy and parliamentary system including the judiciary do not work together as many assume and this is fine because of their separation of powers.
There will be no supreme court reference, no vote of confidence and whatever, until, we go to elections in 2022.
From Joelson Anere on Three issues that will shape PNG politics from 2020 to 2022
Thanks bro Michael Kabuni for this comprehensive and insightful assessment of the major political challenges looming ahead for the James Marape-Davis Steven's coalition government.
I, indeed think that James Marape's election will be nullified by the Supreme Court and the same will hold through for the appointment of Beldah Namah as Opposition Leader. This paves the way for Political Parties to hold Caucus meetings to muse over their alternate candidate for Prime Minister.
It is my established political prediction that James Marape, Sam Basil, or Charles ABEL, MP, possible candidates for the post of Prime Minister.
From Joelson Anere on Three issues that will shape PNG politics from 2020 to 2022
Dear Michael Kabuni, thank you for this excellent political insight into the three prevailing political challenges that now looms large for the Marape-Steven Government Coalition Government.
Firstly, in terms of the political math's on the floor of Parliament. I think that James Marape as Parliamentary Leader of the Pangu Pati still has the numbers to re-elect James Marape as Prime Minister if the Supreme Court Case seeking a Judicial Interpretation of Parliamentary Standing Orders in the election of James Marape as Prime Minister when another Prime Ministerial candidate - Peter O'Neill, CMG, MP withdrew his candidacy at the 11th hour after nominations had closed which is unconstitutional.
Importantly, Prime Minister Honorable James Marape has over the last couple of days made statements to the effect that he had communicated with his Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, regarding the recent political furor over allegations that William Duma has been involved in scandalous dealings in Australia.
I think right now, Honorable James Marape needs William Duma's eight MP's to help bolster the Pangu Pati numbers currently in Government in a effort to maintain consistency and continuity of the Pangu Pati led coalition Government. How Hon. James Marape is going to achieve that remains to be seen.
However, the Supreme Court case in the election of James Marape, the appointment of Beldah Namah, as opposition leader. If successful, which, I think they will be given that the Supreme Court has already dismissed Patrick Pruaitch's request to have the case withdrawn. This sends an important signal that the integrity of the political process when it comes to the election of a Prime Minister and the appointment of an Opposition Leader on the floor of Parliament is being brought into disrepute and undermines the moral spirit and letter of political process in the election of a Prime Minister.
Hence, it is my political prediction that yes the Supreme Court will nullify James Marape's election as Prime Minister. This will leave it wide open for all political parties to immediately call for their political party's Caucus meetings.
Similarly, the Supreme Court will also nullify Beldah Namah's appointment as Opposition Leader. This will leave his position vacant for a new Opposition Leader to be elected on the floor of Parliament. Hence, I therefore feel that whoever understands the political maths and has sufficient influence and the popular vote among MPs will immediately be nominated as a candidate for the position of Prime Minister.
Who are the likely candidates for Prime Minister? I believe that this would be James Marape, Richard Maru, Sam Basil, and Charles Abel, MP,
From Henry on Pacific Labour Scheme: beefing up Australia’s meat industry
Great blog Holly. Important analysis for the program.
On the 'costs' to employers. If I recall correctly, under both the DAMA framework and the industry template, employers need to pay workers at least $53,900 as the TSMIT kicks in. Do you know what the salary floor is for PLS? I couldn't spot a reference to it on the DFAT website. The entry level award-rate annual salary starts from $38,500 (growing to $46,500) and could also be increased with guaranteed overtime and penalty rates.
This strikes me as a very muddled policy approach to regional labour markets and I wonder whether it is sustainable, given the different programs and different conditions.
From Prof Prem raj Pushpakaran on Has 25 years of children’s rights made any difference?
Prof Prem raj Pushpakaran writes -- 2019 marks the 30th year of signing of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child!!!
From Sophie on Is there a role for donors in helping to change restrictive gender norms?
Gone are the days when women were restricted to managing the household and reproducing to keep the family line going, women are more outgoing, creative and efficient in every field. Donors do have an important role in changing restrictive gender norms.
From Isaiah Prince Keme on Three issues that will shape PNG politics from 2020 to 2022
Thank you Michael for this piece of writing. Something to muse upon and observe as events unfold by the day.
From Werner Cohill on Three issues that will shape PNG politics from 2020 to 2022
Thanks Michael, interesting insight into the political events leading up to the next elections. The main political event now on agenda is the validity of the election of PMJM. Everyone is looking forward to the Court's ruling. Once the Courts nullified the election, the Speaker would not hesitate to recall Parliament to elect a new PM. On the whole, there is this 'eleventh hour call' that eventuates when a major decision of the Courts is reached - take the 'slip rule' in the former PMs case.
From Iva Volavola Powell on The Pacific: the silent ‘P’ in Asia-Pacific?
Wow....am part of the Fijian Teachers Association Womens Network...a network where 74% of its membership are women. Forgive me but we teachers have so much at work and we join or are elected into FTAWN but these issues you talk about here holds true for some affiliations we have.
I am also a member of the FTUC Womens committee voicing grievances in the workplace but somehow we get cut off within the union walls which is kinda like contradictory to its functions and values but was on the verge of a...confrontation (just kidding, but dreamt about it, lol) when this popped up on my notification...this...this...is major...affirmation that ours, maybe minute in scale is all part of a bigger picture.
Much appreciation to all the ladies who have stepped up and are representing all of us here.
Yes we need to network, we need to stand up and be counted, together...
I salute you all.
Keep up the good work and do remember us at FTA and FTUC...we want to be included in this good work.
From Shailendra B Singh on China in the Pacific: is China engaged in “debt-trap diplomacy”?