THE SUPREME COURT is again being asked to determine Papua New Guinea’s legitimate prime minister.

The court's order last month to reinstate Sir Michael Somare as prime minister plunged PNG into a constitutional and political crisis.

Peter O'Neill remains the effective PM with the support of the police, defence force, public service and most parliamentarians.

But the confusion remains, the attorney-general has filed a Supreme Court reference asking for the court's opinion on no less than 29 constitutional questions.

They include whether or not the court can impose orders on parliament, whether or not parliament can pass retrospective legislation and whether or not the governor-general can refuse a directive from parliament to appoint a prime minister.

A date is yet to be set for preliminary hearings.

Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation / Liam Fox