Somare loses 1st challenge to regain his seat
20 September 2011
FORMER PRIME MINISTER Sir Michael Somare has lost a legal challenge in his battle to regain his seat in parliament, the ABC reports.
Earlier this month, the speaker of parliament disqualified Sir Michael as an MP for missing three consecutive sittings.
He went to the national court seeking an injunction against his disqualification while he challenged its legality.
The ABC’s PNG correspondent has reported that Justice Allen David has dismissed the application.
Justice David said many of the issues raised in Sir Michael's challenge were similar to those in another case before the Supreme Court.
That case is challenging the constitutionality of Sir Michael's removal from the prime minister's office last month.
Sir Michael's lawyer, Kerenga Kua, said the former prime minister will appeal the decision.
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 20 September
Huggins - PNG politicians like Sir Michael are the richest in the South Pacific area.
Any PNGean who dreams to be an overnight millionaire can just contest the national election and your dream shall come true.
So money is the mandate of the people and Somare won't give up to let go next year's round of free money.
That's what we Bougainvillean nationalists think the PNG hero is after.
Posted by: Leonard Roka | 20 September 2011 at 06:26 PM
I wonder who is paying for all this? Somare should just retire with some dignity. He appears to me to wish to retain power at any expense.
Posted by: Colin Huggins | 20 September 2011 at 05:36 PM