PNG Deputy Prime Minister brushes aside media reports on 7 MPs' enrollments for higher education

Deputy Prime Minister Leo Dion today brushed aside media reports and question raised by Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marat over the enrolment of 7 members of parliament in higher learning institutions as full time students.

A daily newspaper today reported that seven Members of Parliament including three State Ministers have enrolled at the university of Papua New Guinea to take up full time studies.

Dr Allan Marat during question time said their enrolment breaches sections 216A(3-d) of the constitution which does not provide for such entitlements for MPs.

Dr.Marat says their enrolment can be investigated by the Ombudsman Commission that they have been elected to parliament to represent their people and not pursue on their education.

He said with the announcement by the Prime Minister that 2013 is a year of implementation, "how are this MPs going to manage to carry out their program while being a student and a member of parliament".

But Mr Dion said in his opinion, it is not an issue if MPs are using their own funds to attend these institutions and furthermore, he said, it's part of empowering and enhancing their knowledge. NBC