PNG PM on one week's notice

Papua New Guinea’s prime minister Peter O'Neill has seven days to persuade MPs to support him and his government in a parliamentary no-confidence motion.

PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill

PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. (AAP)

A Supreme Court ordered sitting of parliament today accepted the motion and the speaker adjourned until next Friday.

During the special sitting, head of the People's Progress Party (PPP) Ben Micah, a member of the O’Neill government, and five of his MPs crossed the floor to sit with opposition leader Don Polye.

EMTV reported Mr Micah, minister for petroleum and energy, was not happy with how the Mr O'Neill handled the recent student unrest.

Parliament has been suspended since police shot and injured more than a dozen University of Papua New Guinea students on June 8, as they prepared to march on Parliament to call for Mr O’Neill to resign.

Disruption of air services in PNG by aviation workers, also demanding Mr O’Neill step aside, meant some of the 121 MPs could not attend parliament.


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By Stefan Armbruster
Source: SBS News


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