Confusion reigns over PNG cabinet reshuffle
08 December 2010
THE ABC reports that PNG's former Deputy Prime Minister, Don Polye, is maintaining that he has not been sacked in a cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Polye was axed as deputy prime minister at a hastily convened ceremony overseen by Governor-General, Sir Paulias Matane, at a tourist resort near Rabaul yesterday.
But Mr Polye says he spoke to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare this morning who said media reports of his sacking were “just speculation”.
But the Governor-General's official secretary, Tipo Vuatha, has confirmed former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal was installed as the new deputy PM.
There is still no official confirmation or explanation from the Prime Minister or his office about the reshuffle.
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, PNG correspondent Liam Fox
Rowan Callick is reporting in The Australian that it was a desperate move to shore up Somare's control as he faces being forced to stand down by the Supreme Court.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/michael-somare-makes-sure-pngs-top-job-remains-his/story-e6frg6so-1225967839223
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 09 December 2010 at 12:06 AM
Ilya Gridneff - Thanks mate, at least you can see the difference between ducks and drakes. I noted your report on SBS news this evening - excellent.
As far as I am concerned, there are too many old fashioned knights of a realm, long past their used by date, in PNG.
What I am more interested in is, where is the aid money?
Resorts in Shanghai, China (closeto a privileged golf resort), maybe Singapore, and then, God forbid, Cairns, FNQ?
Posted by: Colin Huggins | 08 December 2010 at 07:23 PM