11 May 2012

PNG Prime Minister says talk of no confidence vote will come to nothing

5:45 pm on 11 May 2012

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, says he's safe despite reports efforts are being made to oust him..

Parliament is due to sit on Tuesday three days before the writs are to be issued for the general elections and the Post Courier newspaper reports that plans are afoot for a vote of no confidence.

The paper says if successful an incoming government is likely to extend Parliament and delay the elections.

But Mr O'Neill told the paper he is safe and that the motion could not be entertained as it would be unconstitutional.

He says a push for a delay won't be revisited when Parliament sits next week and although there are still areas of concern over the election, the preparations are manageable.

Peter O'Neill says it's not perfect but he thinks it's enough to deliver an election and he's supportive of the Electoral Commissioner and his team, giving them more funding and manpower resources from other government departments to help.