WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201201/3418612.htm?desktop

PAPUA NEW GUINEA - COUNTRY'S ONLY FEMALE POLITICIAN LAUNCHES GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION

PNG politician Dame Carol Kidu wants to launch a one-woman opposition. [ABC TV]

30 January 2012

Papua New Guinea politician and Somare supporter Dame Carol Kidu is planning to form a one-woman opposition to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's government.

Dame Carol, who is the country's only female politician, said she wanted to be recognised by the Speaker of Parliament as Opposition Leader because the country needed an opposition.

In recent months, supporters of former prime minister Sir Michael Somare have refused to sit in parliament.

"One judge basically said that if you sat in those benches you conceded that you were not in government," she told Pacific Beat.

"I've been the only one on the floor from the Somare faction in every session since August 2 so I can assume that I'm the leader, if other people agree."

Dame Carol said despite last week's attempted mutiny being outside the law, Sir Michael Somare remained the rightful Prime Minister according to the constitution.