PNGBLOGS

ROWAN CALLICK PAPUA New Guinea's veteran Prime Minister Michael Somare shored up his shaky parliamentary support sufficiently to stymie plans for a vote of no confidence yesterday. But his support has deteriorated so rapidly, falling to about 60 of the 86 MPs who elected him prime minister three years ago, that he is still likely to face a challenge in the next few days, possibly as early as today. His National Alliance party is fragmenting rapidly. The gauntlet was first thrown down by Deputy Prime Minister Puka Temu, who led three other ministers out of the cabinet on Monday night. He is a medical doctor, a Papuan from Central Province near Port Moresby, who spent six years working at the Royal Melbourne and Royal Prince Alfred hospitals in Australia, before becoming permanent head of PNG's Health Department. Yesterday, Sir Puka swiftly became leader of the opposition, which had set up camp in the tradition of PNG political end-games, this time at a resort near Gaire village

ROWAN CALLICK PAPUA New Guinea's veteran Prime Minister Michael Somare shored up his shaky parliamentary support sufficiently to stymie plans for a vote of no confidence yesterday. But his support has deteriorated so rapidly, falling to about 60 of the 86 MPs who elected him prime minister three years ago, that he is still likely to face a challenge in the next few days, possibly as early as today. His National Alliance party is fragmenting rapidly. The gauntlet was first thrown down by Deputy Prime Minister Puka Temu, who led three other ministers out of the cabinet on Monday night. He is a medical doctor, a Papuan from Central Province near Port Moresby, who spent six years working at the Royal Melbourne and Royal Prince Alfred hospitals in Australia, before becoming permanent head of PNG's Health Department. Yesterday, Sir Puka swiftly became leader of the opposition, which had set up camp in the tradition of PNG political end-games, this time at a resort near G

HAMISH MCDONAL The war drums of political change are beating across the capital of Papua New Guinea, as defections and a no-confidence motion threaten the grip of the Prime Minister and ''Grand Chief'' Sir Michael Somare. Somare, 74, who led the country into independence from Australia in 1975, is in his third spell as prime minister, an unprecedented eight years marked by his equally unprecedented re-election as incumbent in 2007. He has been talking about retiring for some time, with elections due in two years. His plans are vague, but he seems to be grooming his son Arthur, the minister for state enterprises and acting treasurer, as successor. But Somare is now threatened within and without his ruling National Alliance. A powerful highlander politician, the transport minister Don Polye, has lined up for a leadership challenge. One of his deputy prime ministers, Sir Puka Temu, quit the government and joined the opposition, which yesterday was trying to launch a no con

HAMISH MCDONAL The war drums of political change are beating across the capital of Papua New Guinea, as defections and a no-confidence motion threaten the grip of the Prime Minister and ''Grand Chief'' Sir Michael Somare. Somare, 74, who led the country into independence from Australia in 1975, is in his third spell as prime minister, an unprecedented eight years marked by his equally unprecedented re-election as incumbent in 2007. He has been talking about retiring for some time, with elections due in two years. His plans are vague, but he seems to be grooming his son Arthur, the minister for state enterprises and acting treasurer, as successor. But Somare is now threatened within and without his ruling National Alliance. A powerful highlander politician, the transport minister Don Polye, has lined up for a leadership challenge. One of his deputy prime ministers, Sir Puka Temu, quit the government and joined the opposition, which yesterday was trying to launch

ABC REPORTS Sir Morauta and Sir Puka at March Girls Resort, Ready to take on Somare Papua New Guinea's government is facing another threat to its survival, this time from the deputy prime minister, who has joined forces with opposition MPs. PNG prime minister Sir Michael Somare was expected to face a challenge for the leadership of his party from transport minister Don Polye at a meeting today but another challenger has arisen. While the meeting was underway, his deputy prime minister Puka Temu was holding discussions with opposition MPs at a resort outside Port Moresby. Several other government ministers were there with him. Together they have resolved to move a motion of no confidence against Sir Michael when parliament resumes tomorrow. If that happens, a vote can take place in a week's time. The new group say they have the numbers to win a vote and form a new government. Update 2 *************************** Papua New Guinea’s government has been split by the defection of fo

ABC REPORTS Sir Morauta and Sir Puka at March Girls Resort, Ready to take on Somare Papua New Guinea's government is facing another threat to its survival, this time from the deputy prime minister, who has joined forces with opposition MPs. PNG prime minister Sir Michael Somare was expected to face a challenge for the leadership of his party from transport minister Don Polye at a meeting today but another challenger has arisen. While the meeting was underway, his deputy prime minister Puka Temu was holding discussions with opposition MPs at a resort outside Port Moresby. Several other government ministers were there with him. Together they have resolved to move a motion of no confidence against Sir Michael when parliament resumes tomorrow. If that happens, a vote can take place in a week's time. The new group say they have the numbers to win a vote and form a new government. Update 2 *************************** Papua New Guinea’s government has been split b

AAP Papua New Guinea's veteran leader Michael Somare is facing a party leadership challenge that he will not contest, his spokeswoman says, in a move which could see him pushed from power. Rival bids by Transport Minister Don Polye and Deputy Prime Minister Puka Temu to lead the ruling National Alliance will be discussed at a party meeting later on Monday, and Mr Somare's spokeswoman says he is unlikely to fight them. "He's the one who's introduced democracy to PNG so I think he'll go with what other members of his party want," the spokeswoman told Agence France-Presse of Mr Somare. "He's not putting up a particular person at this stage. He'll just support the party." All year, local newspapers have reported rumours that PNG's rugged Highlands region, led by Mr Polye, has been moving to oust Mr Somare and his supporters. Meanwhile, the opposition, headed by Mekere Morauta, has been running a campaign urging disgruntled parliamentarian