PNG leader Mekere ousted

By Mary-Louise O'Callaghan
12dec02

FORMER Papua New Guinea prime minister Mekere Morauta has been ousted as opposition leader just four months after losing government.

The move finalises Sir Mekere's break with the People's Democratic Movement Party and its founder, Paias Wingti, another former prime minister.
It also technically frees Sir Mekere, who as prime minister helped stall PNG's economic decline, to join Michael Somare's Government.

Sir Mekere, who suffered a constant barrage of domestic political attacks when prime minister, broke with Mr Wingti and the PDM shortly after becoming opposition leader in September.

His effort to complete the split was delayed, ironically, by his own political reforms, introduced to encourage a party system in PNG politics.

On Tuesday, parliamentary speaker Bill Skate – another former prime minister and Sir Mekere's arch rival – was forced to seek legal advice before accepting an opposition motion that the majority on its benches supported another MP as leader.

Mr Skate then recognised first-time MP John Muingnepe as opposition leader and Mathew Siune as his deputy.

Local reports suggested the move, which came as parliament approved the 2003 budget, might have been orchestrated by Mr Wingti, who was seen exchanging notes with various opposition MPs during the motion.

Although a member of the national parliament, Mr Wingti would have to relinquish his post as Governor of Western Highlands province if he became opposition leader.

Neighbouring Solomon Islands has switched finance ministers for the second time in nine months with the snap resignation of Laurie Chan at the weekend.

Mr Chan, son of a prominent Chinese businessman, is understood to be disenchanted with the lack of support from government colleagues for his economic strategy. But Mr Chan, who introduced the Solomons' 2003 budget in parliament last week, is expected to remain in the Alan Kemakeza Government as Foreign Minister.

New Finance Minister Snyder Rini is best known for his wholesale granting of duty concessions to local businesses importing beer and cigarettes during his previous tenure as finance minister in 2000-01.