New Ireland MPs and State ministers unceremoniously told to leave chamber
TWO Members of Parliament in New Ireland have been given a rude welcome by Governor Sir Julius Chan today in a legislative meeting in the provincial capital, Kavieng.
The Kavieng MP and Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey, Namatanai MP and Forests Minister Walter Schnaubelt were unceremoniously told to leave the legislative chamber.
The New Ireland Provincial Government News reports the New Ireland Legislative Assembly sitting started off with a bit of drama this morning after Governor and Chairman of the Provincial Executive Council Sir Julius Chan refused to recognize Namatanai MP Walter Schnaubelt on the floor of the Assembly.
He said the Namatanai MP and the Kavieng Open MP Ian Ling-Stuckey were voted out of the Assembly due to non-attendance for three consecutive meetings.
“I’m sorry but the house does not recognize you. The law is law and you have breached it by not attending meetings,” said Sir J.
Schnaubelt said the Minister for Inter-Government Relations Pila Niningi had reinstated them, thus he had every right to be in the Assembly.
Sir J responded stating that the Minister for Inter government relations had acted unlawfully and reinstated the two MPs.
“He was misinformed by the two Open MPs and reinstated them. However that does not mean that he did the right thing. My stance is very clear the house does not recognize you.”
