Speaker

The Samoa Observer reports that Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese did not accept a request from the plaintiff's lawyer, Aumua Ming Leung Wai, for the issue to be settled as a matter of urgency.

The Speaker's lawyer, Taulapapa Brenda Heather Latu, questioned the jurisdiction of the court on a parliamentary matter and also said since the MPs had been suspended for contempt of Parliament to return to the assembly they should purge their contempt.

Taulapapa asked for time to prepare as her client is currently tied up with Parliamentary procedures.

Savali confirmed that the legislators have met three times and they have all lent their confidence and support for him as Speaker in the new legislature.

He said it was an honour which he didn't take lightly and was thankful for the confidence and respect extended to him by his colleagues.

Savali, who has been a faipule since 1981, ran unopposed in the House election for the Alataua District.

The election of Speaker will be held on 3 January when the representatives and senators are sworn in.

Justice David Cannings delivered the decision of the Human Rights proceeding filed in 2014 by Grand Chief Sir Michal Somare and the managing director of the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, Dr. Andrew Moutu.

The court found that the action by Parliament Speaker Theo Zurenuoc to restore, reform and modernise the parliament house was unlawful as it infringed on section 45 of the constitution and section 9 of the national cultural property.

According to RNZI, Le'aupepe said this came after the petitioner, former MP Aiono Tile Gafa, accepted advice from several matais of his village for the matter to be dropped.

Le'aupepe said a reconciliation had taken place, where Aiono, who ran against him in last month's election for A'ana Alofi number one constituency, said he had forgiven him.