BY SEAN DORNEY
ABC NEWS
PAPUA NEW GUINEA HAS TO WAIT another week to find out who is the country's legitimate prime minister after the supreme court adjourned a hearing into the case.
Peter O'Neill and Sir Michael Somare are both claiming to be the rightful prime minister, and Monday's directions hearing was supposed to set a timeline for the court to decide which claim is legitimate.
But the hearing was adjourned after 19 applications were filed by parties from both sides wanting to join the proceedings.
The courtroom was so packed with lawyers they had to move more tables into place so they would all fit.
The two police officers claiming to be PNG's police commissioner are among those who have applied to join the proceedings.
Sir Michael's lawyer asked for more time so he could prepare to agree or object to those applying.
Supreme court judge Bernard Sakora acknowledged that time, cost and delay were well recognised legal tactics.
The court has given all parties until Thursday to serve copies of their applications.
Hi Moais - The problem with making the provinces more autonomous is that you may only export the problem down to a lower level if it doesn't already exit there in the first place. The real problem is basically two fold.
Firstly, there has never been any real unifying force that has caused PNGians to think in terms of their nation and not in terms of their own area. Anti colonialism might have been a factor if Australia had've tried to hold onto PNG too long but instead, we were peremptorily pulled out of PNG before any real opposition formed.
External threats might be a factor in the future if the PNG people are aware of them and have the education, communications and motivation to act as a nation.
Until that unifying force happens, nothing will change.
The second factor is that it seems to an outsider looking in, that until and unless any PNG government and leader is prepared to sack anyone in government that does not or can not perform their duties, without corrupt practices, then nothing will change.
Look at the current debacle over the failed Census. Those who could not perform this basic requirement should be automatically sacked and those who can and will perform and meet target dates within budget must be employed immediately.
One only has to look at the Morobe Province and the current governor to see an example of what would happen if Provincial Government were to be given more power.
Until PNG people are prepared and able to their hold leaders responsible and accountable, nothing will change.
Posted by: Paul Oates | 22 February 2012 at 09:01 AM
The demarcation of the country in the beginning into the four 'regions' was a recipe for disunity from the outset.
It is time to review the whole governmental set-up, decentralise as much functions of state to the provinces, meaning full autonomy, with the exception of Treasury, Foreign Affairs and Defence to remain in Waigani.
With that, every province will strive for prosperity and excellence in all aspects of social services, economy and infrastructure and only then I believe we will see this country move forward.
Posted by: Moais Gabuar | 21 February 2012 at 10:36 PM
It's difficult to call an early election when the Electoral Commission is not ready with the common roll and other logistics. i hope the elections are not postponed!
Posted by: Daosak | 21 February 2012 at 09:13 PM
Tingting tasol, but mi gat rightful place lo wari about stap, Bougainville.
Posted by: Leonard Roka | 21 February 2012 at 04:16 PM
Leaders are showing to us, new persons with interest in this front, lessons to learn and act with.
They go in there not to serve people but rather to attain prestige and power for own interest and benefit for tribesmen or cronies.
We waste time politiking as the world leaps ahead with globalisation and at the end of the day, we will be resting at the very last rung subjected to exploitation as the resulting of selling out this land.
Posted by: Leonard Roka | 21 February 2012 at 04:14 PM
Forget about PNG...
Posted by: Leonard Roka | 21 February 2012 at 02:04 PM
PNG has no future as a single state.
Few can deny this, but this a the very words of a few local academics I mingle around with many of whom had grown old with this country.
Leadership did failed this state from the beginning and there is not investment we can think of that can return this country and its 800-plus peoples a united march back to track of success against the current of globalisation.
Let provinces or regions gain 'true' nationhood.
Posted by: Leonard Roka | 21 February 2012 at 02:03 PM
The obvious answer is to call an early election. Why don't they do that?
Posted by: Mrs Barbara Short | 21 February 2012 at 07:45 AM