PM Off to Fiji after blowing opposition move to topple him

THE AUSTRALIAN

PAPUA New Guinea's veteran Prime Minister Michael Somare took the government's Falcon jet to Fiji, a favourite destination, yesterday as he celebrated escaping a threatening vote of no confidence.

Before attending the "Engaging with the Pacific" meeting organised by the country's military ruler, Frank Bainimarama, Sir Michael swiftly appointed eight new ministers to shore up his majority.

Five of them come from the populous Highlands region, which accounts for 40 per cent of the seats in parliament.

It appeared that Sir Michael's deputy, Puka Temu, a Papuan, had pencilled in a deal with Highlands bloc leader Don Polye -- both being members of Sir Michael's National Alliance party -- to quit and form a new government.

But only Sir Puka walked out, to become Opposition Leader. Mr Polye stayed behind and was rewarded with the post of Deputy Prime Minister.

Sir Michael appointed long-time supporter Timothy Bonga as the Forestry Minister -- usually a difficult but potentially rewarding portfolio, given the controversies that swirl around the sector.

He also gave a ministry, but so far without portfolio, to Moses Maladina, the architect of legislation to curtail the powers of PNG's anti-corruption agency, the Ombudsman Commission. The Speaker, Jeffery Nape, also a member of Sir Michael's party, spurned on Wednesday the louder calls opposing an adjournment, refused to permit a division, and declared the house adjourned until November 16.

The budget usually takes precedence in the November session, making another attempt at a no-confidence motion unlikely until next year -- when success would trigger an early election, which most MPs, who stand to lose their seats, usually wish to avoid.

Thus -- although the Post Courier editorialised that the events in parliament on Wednesday comprised "a shameful exhibition" -- Sir Michael may have cemented his power through to elections in mid-2012.

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