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Not enough votes to secure women’s seats in Papua New Guinea parliament

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Summary of story from The Sydney Morning Herald, December 19, 2011

A bill guaranteeing 22 women-only seats in Papua New Guinea’s parliament has failed to get enough votes to pass into law.

The bill was rescheduled for debate next year after just 61 out of 109 MPs turned out to vote – 58 for and three against – not enough to provide the two-thirds majority support needed for constitutional change.

Campaigners have been trying to push through the reform since 2009, and the first stages of legal change were achieved in November, in a vote of 72 to two (see WVoN story).

The failure to proceed further is largely due to political division. Two groups currently both claim to be the government, one headed by Peter O’Neill and one by Sir Michael Somare.

Papua New Guinea’s sole female MP, Dame Carol Kidu, has fought hard in support of the bill. She was the only representative of Somare’s camp to attend the vote.

Kidu responded to heckles from O’Neill’s supporters with accusations of corruption. The former women’s minister will retire at next year’s elections.

Papua New Guinea’s Chief Secretary, Manasupe Zurenuoc, has endorsed a Supreme Court ruling restoring Sir Michael Somare as prime minister, but said that majority rules meant that Peter O’Neill retained control of the government.

An application from O’Neill to prevent Somare from issuing instructions as prime minister has been adjourned until Friday.

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