RNZ
David Manning, PNG s State of Emergency Controller and Police Commissioner. Photo: PNG PM Media
Papua New Guinea’s government has obtained a stay on a court order to quash the appointment of David Manning as police commissioner.
Last week, the national court ruled that there was an error in his appointment by the Public Services Commission which overlooked Mr Manning’s lack of a required tertiary qualification.
The decision followed judicial review proceedings filed by senior police officers Sylvester Kalaut and Fred Yakasa challenging the 2019 appointment by the National Executive Council.
The court ruled that he would cease to be commissioner as of today. But the government has appealed the ruling at the Supreme Court and in the meantime secured a stay on the decision.
Both men had failed in an application for the position of police commissioner in competition with Manning in 2019.
Justice Cannings ruled that Manning’s appointment was wrong because he did not have a tertiary qualification as required for the parallel post of Secretary to the Police Department.
Yesterday, Justice Derek Hartshorn granted the stay order sought by lawyer Troy Mileng of the Solicitor-General’s office representing the state and lawyer Derek Wood representing Manning pending the determination of an appeal against Justice Cannings’ decision.
Justice Hartshorn said there was an arguable case on the separation of the two positions of commissioner and secretary of police which Manning was holding.
David Manning, PNG s State of Emergency Controller and Police Commissioner.
Photo: PNG PM Media
Last week, the national court ruled that there was an error in his appointment by the Public Services Commission which overlooked Mr Manning s lack of a required tertiary qualification.
The decision followed judicial review proceedings filed by senior police officers Sylvester Kalaut and Fred Yakasa challenging the 2019 appointment by the National Executive Council.
The court ruled that he would cease to be commissioner as of today. But the government has appealed the ruling at the Supreme Court and in the meantime secured a stay on the decision.