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POLITICAL COUP OF THE DECADE

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THEY are, without doubt, the political coups of the decade. Of course, those involved will be disinclined to publicly voice it or even take credit for it. Nonetheless, they shall become coups worthy of mention in the annals of history. With less than one-fifth of parliament, the opposition on Tuesday threw asunder the most stable government in the history of PNG. That was the first coup. The second, of course, was the ascension to the prime minister’s post by Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill. From about sixth position in the line-up for the post, O’Neill has become the dark horse that has stormed to victory in the last 50m. With less than six MPs, the People’s National Congress has triumphed over the NA, the United Resources Party, the PNG Party and Pangu Pati to take the coveted prize. How the two coups took place will unfold in due course but suffice it to say for now that they are quite stellar performances, masterful strokes if you will. The wounds the first coup has opened will, per

POLITICAL COUP OF THE DECADE

Image
THEY are, without doubt, the political coups of the decade. Of course, those involved will be disinclined to publicly voice it or even take credit for it. Nonetheless, they shall become coups worthy of mention in the annals of history. With less than one-fifth of parliament, the opposition on Tuesday threw asunder the most stable government in the history of PNG. That was the first coup. The second, of course, was the ascension to the prime minister’s post by Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill. From about sixth position in the line-up for the post, O’Neill has become the dark horse that has stormed to victory in the last 50m. With less than six MPs, the People’s National Congress has triumphed over the NA, the United Resources Party, the PNG Party and Pangu Pati to take the coveted prize. How the two coups took place will unfold in due course but suffice it to say for now that they are quite stellar performances, masterful strokes if you will. The wounds the first coup has opened will,

MINISTERS SWORN IN

Papua New Guinea's new Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has announced the line-up of his new caretaker government. Eleven new ministers were sworn in by the Governor-General at a ceremony at Government House in PNG's capital, Port Moresby. The central figures in Tuesday's successful plot to overthrow the government of Sir Michael Somare have been rewarded with senior positions. Mr O'Neill was elected as PNG's new prime minister on Tuesday afternoon after disgruntled government MPs joined forces with the Opposition to have the prime minister's office declared vacant. The former opposition leader, Belden Namah, is now the deputy prime minister. Other portfolios were not announced but also sworn in were the former Foreign Affairs Minister Don Polye and former Petroleum Minister William Duma. Also in the line-up was former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta. Afterwards, the new Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said his government would not be initiating any major new

MINISTERS SWORN IN

Papua New Guinea's new Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has announced the line-up of his new caretaker government. Eleven new ministers were sworn in by the Governor-General at a ceremony at Government House in PNG's capital, Port Moresby. The central figures in Tuesday's successful plot to overthrow the government of Sir Michael Somare have been rewarded with senior positions. Mr O'Neill was elected as PNG's new prime minister on Tuesday afternoon after disgruntled government MPs joined forces with the Opposition to have the prime minister's office declared vacant. The former opposition leader, Belden Namah, is now the deputy prime minister. Other portfolios were not announced but also sworn in were the former Foreign Affairs Minister Don Polye and former Petroleum Minister William Duma. Also in the line-up was former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta. Afterwards, the new Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said his government would not be initiating any maj

Breaking NEWS

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA'S NEW PRIME MINISTER - PETER O'NEIL Papua New Guinea has a new prime minister after disgruntled government MPs joined forces with the Opposition to have the prime minister's office declared vacant. When parliament resumed on Tuesday afternoon, several government MPs walked out with the Opposition and sat on their side of the house. With bolstered numbers, Opposition leader Belden Namah successfully moved to have the prime minister's office declared vacant because of the ongoing absence of Sir Michael Somare due to ill health. Mr Namah then nominated former treasurer, Peter O'Neil, as the new prime minister. Before defecting, Mr O'Neil was the works minister. He was installed as the new prime minister by a 70-24 vote. While the now former Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal sat dejected, the floor erupted with applause and Mr O'Neil was congratulated by his new colleagues. He is travelling to Government House to be officially sworn in as

Breaking NEWS

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA'S NEW PRIME MINISTER - PETER O'NEIL Papua New Guinea has a new prime minister after disgruntled government MPs joined forces with the Opposition to have the prime minister's office declared vacant. When parliament resumed on Tuesday afternoon, several government MPs walked out with the Opposition and sat on their side of the house. With bolstered numbers, Opposition leader Belden Namah successfully moved to have the prime minister's office declared vacant because of the ongoing absence of Sir Michael Somare due to ill health. Mr Namah then nominated former treasurer, Peter O'Neil, as the new prime minister. Before defecting, Mr O'Neil was the works minister. He was installed as the new prime minister by a 70-24 vote. While the now former Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal sat dejected, the floor erupted with applause and Mr O'Neil was congratulated by his new colleagues. He is travelling to Government House to be offi

Mine wins right to dump toxic waste

Papua New Guinea's National Court ruled in favour of the owners of the controversial Ramu nickel mine in Madang on July 26, allowing the dumping of millions of tonnes of mine waste into the sea. The dumping will devastate the Basamuk Bay area, putting the environment and people's lives at risk. It is a key area for biodiversity and is vital for the livelihood and food security of the local community. More than 1000 locals joined the legal action to get a permanent injunction on the mine owners' plans to dump about 100 million tonnes of highly toxic mine tailings into the sea over 20 years. The company will use a process called Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP). Dumping is expected to begin in September. The Ramu nickel mine is owned by Chinese state-owned company MCC. Australian company Highlands Pacific is a minority stakeholder. The plaintiffs were shocked when Judge David Cannings dismissed the injunction, despite explaining at length that the plaintiffs had proven thei

Mine wins right to dump toxic waste

Papua New Guinea's National Court ruled in favour of the owners of the controversial Ramu nickel mine in Madang on July 26, allowing the dumping of millions of tonnes of mine waste into the sea. The dumping will devastate the Basamuk Bay area, putting the environment and people's lives at risk. It is a key area for biodiversity and is vital for the livelihood and food security of the local community. More than 1000 locals joined the legal action to get a permanent injunction on the mine owners' plans to dump about 100 million tonnes of highly toxic mine tailings into the sea over 20 years. The company will use a process called Deep Sea Tailings Placement (DSTP). Dumping is expected to begin in September. The Ramu nickel mine is owned by Chinese state-owned company MCC. Australian company Highlands Pacific is a minority stakeholder. The plaintiffs were shocked when Judge David Cannings dismissed the injunction, despite explaining at length that the plaintiffs had proven

While Somare's return is uncertain, Sam Abal struggles

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Papua New Guinea’s current political stability—the key to its unprecedented economic growth among other positive indicators under its founding father Sir Michael Somare—is under threat of crumbling. With only one more year before achieving a decade record reign, by far the longest period ever by any government in the country’s 35-year history, signs of disintegration are imminent without the iron grip of critically ill Sir Michael at the helm. Sir Michael’s extended hospitalisation at Singapore’s Raffles Hospital and the continuing dire news of his health condition carry no immediate or probably no rescue for the now embattled acting Prime Minister Sam Abal, who is in trouble keeping the government intact. Abal is caught up in the quagmire involving serious divides in alliances in the ruling National Alliance Party and its major coalition partner, the United Resources Party after he sacked two senior ministers—Petroleum and Energy Minister, William Duma and Foreign Affairs and Immigrat