27 Apr 2004

PNG Parliament holds briefest of sessions

8:21 pm on 27 April 2004

The Papua New Guinea Parliament met briefly today to formally announce the vacancy for the post of governor general.

It was the first meeting of Parliament in more than three months, and was prompted by the Supreme Court ruling that Sir Pato Kakaraya's election as Governor general was illegal.

Our correspondent in Port Moresby Peter Niesi says the Parliament met for less than half an hour before adjourning until May 11th.

"Leader of Government business, Peter O'Neill said that basically this was an unscheduled parliamentary session and they have announced the vacancy and it is now up to prospective candidates for the Governor General's post to start lobbying for the support of the 16 MPs they need to enter the selection process on May 11"