'Three strikes' law costs Vanuatu PM his parliament seat

Updated November 27, 2009 20:19:47

An obscure law in Vanuatu has cost Prime Minister Edward Natapei his parliamentary seat. Mr Natapei has been attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad, and failed to advise the Speaker he'd be missing an extraordinary session called to debate the budget. The speaker, Maxim Carlot Korman, called for Mr Natapei's automatic removal, citing a law that applies to MPs who skip three consecutive sessions. Observers believe Mr Korman's taking revenge on the Prime Minister, who had expelled him from parliament last week.

Presenter: Campbell Cooney, Pacific Correspondent
Speaker: Ralph Regenvanu, independent MP, Vanuatu Parliament