The Supreme Court has stayed both decisions made by Parliament. This is referring to Parliament decision on the 13th of November for Parliament to be adjourned to December 1st and also applies to decision on the 17th of November for Parliament to be adjourned to April 20th 2021 respectively. The Supreme Court has ordered parties to file affidavits for the substantive matter by tomorrow. Meanwhile, Court has been adjourned to 3rd of December 2020.

All parties have agreed for the Supreme Court to make a ruling this afternoon for tomorrow's sitting. Court adjourned for 10 minutes for the bench to deliberate on the decision. A ruling will be made in 10 minutes time. Stay tuned for more updates.  

Six parties submitted their application this morning at the Supreme Court to be interveners to the substantive matter on the legality of the Speaker's actions regarding the parliament sitting on the 17th of November.   The six interested parties were,   1. The Prime Minister   2. The Clerk of Parliament   3. Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey   4. Leader of Government Business, Renbo Paita   5. The Opposition leader, Belden Namah   6. And Paul Paraka claiming to represent himself and the eight million people.   Mr. Greg Sheppard lawyer representing the applicant (Peter O'Neill) said the other five parties had no substantive interest to be part of the proceedings and therefore he objected to their submissions.   A five-man bench lead by Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika adjourned court for an hour to deliberate on the applications to be interveners and when Court resumed at 12:30pm, the Supreme Court bench refused all five applications, while Belden Namah's Lawyer Alois Jerewai, withdrew his client's application just before the ruling was made.   It is understood the Supreme Court accepted two intervener applications from the Attorney General and the Speaker last week, which means these are the only two parties that will be part of the proceedings.   Meanwhile, the substantive matter has been adjourned to 2:30pm after lawyers representing the Speaker and Attorney General said they were not prepared to argue on the standing. Sir Gibbs Salika has instructed all parties to prepare to argue on standing when Court resumes. 

For the first time ever, The YUMIFM PNG MusiK Awards 2020 was broadcast live on radio. The awards were for local artists who stood out during 2019 whose songs were most requested by listeners on 93 Yumi FM. The Song of the year Category award was for songs that sat on the #1 spot during the Yumifm Top 20 countdown on Saturdays, #1 Spot on the Top 8@8 on weeknights and Top 4@4 on the weekdays. The songs that were in the running for the Song of the year award were Avorong – Junky, Nambawan Blo Mi – McDonald Taila, Humble Huli – Ragga Siai and Mezzi – Mal Meninga Kuri. Ragga Siai’s song Humble Huli which was recorded under Wexide Production took out this year’s YUMI FM PNG MUSIK Awards Song of the Year. The song was done as a tribute to the current Prime Minister, James Marape. Ragga Siai was surprised and pleased to have bagged this award. “I am privileged and thankful for the award. Thank you so much to PNGFM and Yumi FM for recognising local artists and coming up with these awards. Thanks to everyone for supporting my music and my fans around the nation. Thanks so much” Meanwhile the artists said he has recorded 4 new singles and more to be released come January 2021.

The Gold Coast SUNS are excited to announce the promotion of International Scholarship holder Hewago Paul Oea to the club’s Rookie List for the 2021 season. Affectionately known as Ace, the 19-year-old is a talented footballer who originates from Papua New Guinea (Gulf/Central - PNG). “Ace has displayed significant improvement since coming to the club as a 16-year-old and we’re proud to see him progress onto the club’s list,” SUNS GM – Football Operations Jon Haines said. “He is a terrific young man, with an outstanding appetite to learn and work hard.  Ace’s development is a credit to his family, AFL PNG and most importantly himself. “Ace made a difficult decision to leave his family in PNG to follow his dream and his progression onto the list is an acknowledgement that his dedication and commitment is beginning to show real dividends.” An interview and overlay with Ace and SUNS National Recruiting Manager Kall Burns can be downloaded here. Growing up in Gordons, a suburb in Port Moresby, Ace first started playing football when he was 12 in the EmNau Niukick community competition and played senior football with the Gordons Kokofas. Shortly after he joined the AFL PNG Talent Academy which saw him represent his country from ages 13-16 at the annual Queensland Under-14 and Under-16 State Championships. In 2017, when he was 15, Ace played in the AFL International Cup for the PNG open men’s side and won best-on-ground in the Grand Final against New Zealand. He was coached in that team by now SUNS AFLW Head Coach David Lake. At 16 he joined the SUNS Academy and was involved in the AFL Queensland talent program, before earning selection in the national NAB AFL Academy program (the first-ever PNG player to do so). In 2018, Ace was granted an International Scholarship with the SUNS which saw him train and play with the reserves team while continuing to develop in an elite environment, earning a NEAFL Rising Star nomination in 2019. “I love playing football for the Gold Coast SUNS and I am very excited to continue my career here,” Ace said. “I want to thank all my family back in PNG for believing in me, AFL PNG for everything they’ve done and my Gold Coast family Kris and Tim Searl who have supported me with my dream. “I love all the boys at the SUNS, they are very welcoming and I can’t wait to get back into training at the club.” “Everyone at AFL PNG are extremely proud of Ace and the dedication he has shown from a young age to constantly improve himself,” AFL Development Manager – South Pacific, Ben Drew, said.   “Ace has overcome many challenges to earn the opportunity he has now and we can not be more exited for him and his family”. “AFL PNG are immensely thankful for the wonderful support the Gold Coast Suns and AFL QLD have provided Ace in his journey so far, and are extremely grateful to Ace’s family in PNG for their trust for Ace’s welfare, and the Searl family for their consistent belief and support throughout”. Ace will join his SUNS teammates when pre-season training resumes on December 7.

For the first time ever, The YUMIFM PNG Music award was broadcasted live on Radio. The awards were for local artists who stood out during 2019 whose songs were most requested by listeners on 93 Yumi FM.  One of the winners who really stood out was Stanis Yohang who bagged the award for Producer of The Year. Some artists that have come out from his studio are Eldiz Mune, Twin Tribe and Ragga Siai.  “I would like to thank 93 Yumi FM, all my fans, my friends and my family but especially to my artists. I will continue to maintain my studio and release more songs for my artists in the coming months.”  “I would also like to thank my artists fans for you requests and votes to get my artists this far. Thank You so much.”  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, he decided to host a mini barbeque for his artists and close friends for them to listen to the awards and listen to the live event.  “I wanted to host the barbeque for the boys to come over and have a few drinks and food and listen to the awards together. This was to help the boys unite and support each other.”  He added that fans can expect more music from Ragga Siai, Eldiz Mune, Willie Tropu, Nathan Nakikus and more to come from his studio. 

Milne Bay Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Peter Barkie, has confirmed reports of a shooting in Alotau this week which has left one dead. PPC Barkie this morning confirmed that the incident, which took place in Garuboi Street in Alotau on Wednesday night (25/11/20) following an internal conflict between a group of men, has left one dead while the suspects have gone into hiding. “All we know at this stage is that it’s an internal conflict between a group of men within that street.” “Apparently, one pulled out a pistol and put it on the head (of the victim) at close range and he was instantly killed.” “The police investigation is continuing because the people who are alleged to be responsible have disappeared from the location.” Police have a general idea of suspects. However, until it is confirmed their identities have been withheld.  “When the body was recovered on Wednesday night, there was tension,” PPC Barkie added. Although retaliation was anticipated, the situation in Alotau has since been peaceful as investigations continue.

 A call has been made on the Speaker of Parliament to continue to maintain neutral conduct in Parliament to bring the House to order. This call was made by senior PNG lawyer Alois Jerewai during a Media workshop facilitated by the Media Development Initiative on recent Parliament events. Mr Jerewai said it is desirable during this critical time in politics for OLIPAC to make provisions on the conduct of parliamentarians however, Mr Jerewai also believes that the primary responsibility falls squarely on the shoulder of the Speaker of the National Parliament.   “The Speaker of the Parliament, by nature of his office and as head of the third equal arm of the three arm  government system we have under our constitutional parliamentary democracy; is equal to the Prime Minister and equal to the Chief Justice as head of one of the three arms of government.”   “Therefore, the Speaker must maintain a very high level of independence and neutrality because he is the sole custodian of the entire proceedings of the Parliament in accordance with the necessary laws such as the parliament privileges and standing orders.” Mr Jerewai said the Speaker must resign from any political parties he is affiliated with to maintain neutrality.  Meanwhile Mr Jerewai said the motion moved by Opposition Leader Belden Namah in Parliament on the 13th of November to suspend Parliament to the 1st of December was made right after he moved a motion to suspend standing orders. That is an area where the Supreme Court must interpret when the speaker says the move was unconstitutional. “Suspension of the Standing Orders of the Parliament is available under section 281 of the standing orders.” “The question will be whether, the suspension of the orders has pursued under section 281 of the standing orders is competent  when you have section 2(1)(a)(i) that says that only a Minister can move a motion for an adjournment and for fixing the date for the next meeting of parliament.” “This is where the difficulty comes in, therefore it is a grey area for Law which needs to be interpreted by the Court.” Jerewai added that in such cases, the Speaker needs to step in and bring both the Government and opposition together to understand what the Supreme Court is about to interpret.  “And this also where the neutrally of the Speaker comes in, to be able to say to both sides that these issues are very important and we have to invoke the Supreme Courts sole interpretive powers under the constitution to determine if those events that took place are valid or invalid.”    Mr Jerewai further said that the events that took place on the 17th of November as a result of the Speaker’s actions is a matter that can be hotly debatable. “The actions of the Speaker in itself on the 17th demonstrates neutrality as an issue.” Meanwhile, Mr Jerewai said issues to do with parliamentarians should be resolved within the parliament precinct and not at the Court House. “There is an issue relating to the adjournment on the 13th of November and the reconvention of the parliament on the 17th and that must be resolved according to the standing orders of parliament.” “Why run to the courts? Especially the Supreme Courts! That in my view is irresponsible.” “The Speaker has the power to again reconvene parliament under the same Organic Law. “ Jerewai also stated, without going to the Supreme Court, parliament can reconvene and resolve according to its own procedures. He added, if there are disagreements when parliament reconvenes then the Chief Justice can step in to intervene. “Set up a set of very specific questions and let the Supreme Court convene and determine these questions and give its opinion.” “You don’t have to be on a competitive level to contest these matters, these are matters of public importance and public interest.” All in all, Mr Jerewai said it all comes down to the Speaker of Parliament to reconvene Parliament and use the Parliament standing orders and procedures to deal with the recent events first before heading to Supreme Court.