NIP ASSEMBLY MOVED TO RISE AFTER LLG ELECTIONS

The New Ireland Provincial Government under the leadership of Acting Governor Sammy Missen in a surprise turn of events used its numerical strength to adjourn the New Ireland Legislative Assembly sitting to the next scheduled sitting which falls on the 24th of September after the LLG Elections.

Acting Governor and Chairman of the Assembly Sammy Missen began the session by reading a statement pertaining to the events of the previous days meeting when the MP for Namatanai Walter Schnaubelt called a point of order on the eligibility of appointed representatives to be present on the floor of the Assembly.

Schnaubelt had described the appointed Chief representatives as strangers in the house: “They are strangers in the house because there is no record in the file of the ministerial approval.”

Missen in his statement said the letter from the Secretary of Provincial & Local Level Government Affairs Philip Leo was contradictory and Administrative in nature, “ Secretary Philip Leo’s earlier letter did recognize the Chiefs as members of the Assembly. Therefore it is not proper that the Chair is questioned about this administrative bungle during an Assembly sitting.”

As Chairman of the house of Assembly Missen declared that there is a conflict in the interpretation of the law and therefor he agreed with the point of order of the Namatanai MP and refered the matter be taken up by the courts.

Leader of Government business Hon. Edwin Maingen then moved for the Assembly to be adjourned to the next scheduled Assembly meeting. Missen called for a vote through voices and swiftly adjourned with the majority of the house saying “I”.

With the LLG Elections set to begin next month, it automatically supersedes the 2nd Assembly sitting therefor the next Assembly sitting which will be the 3rd sitting will take place on the 24th of September. This means a set of new LLG Presidents and appointed reps if the current Presidents are not re-elected, could be on the floor of the Assembly for the election of an acting Governor.

Meanwhile Schnaubelt’s point of order was not entertained.

He told the house that he will be taking the matter to court and have the Assembly recalled.