By Mary-Louise O'Callaghan May 29, 2004

CONTROVERSIAL Papua New Guinean politician Bill Skate was ousted as Speaker yesterday, amid uproar in the national parliament in Port Moresby.

In the latest twist of the bitter power struggle between Mr Skate and veteran PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare, the opposition stormed out of the house.

Mr Skate, who was forced to resign as prime minister in 1999, was not present for a secret ballot in which a motion of no confidence in the Speaker was passed 56 votes to five.

Opposition leader and Skate ally Peter O'Neill condemned the move as an abuse of power and moved to launch a legal challenge. The vote pre-empts an anticipated motion of no confidence in Sir Michael's prime ministership and enabled the Government, following Mr Skate's removal, to comfortably get the numbers to adjourn parliament for a month, to June 29.

Relations between the two leaders and their political supporters have been strained for some time, partly over Sir Michael's attempts to outlaw votes of no confidence for the rest of his five-year term.

Mr Skate's People's National Congress and seven other MPs were sacked from the Somare coalition Government just over a week ago.

The PNC, which now claims to form the largest group in the opposition, has been gathering forces opposing the Government -- including some of its members -- in the provincial centre of Alotau for the past week.

Earlier this week, Mr Skate vowed to tackle the Government "head-on".

As newly appointed opposition leader, Mr O'Neill, who is the PNC's parliamentary leader, said the opposition's only recourse was the courts.

"The opposition has already issued instructions to our lawyers to take this motion up to the courts, which is the only independent arm of government we now believe is in operation," he said.

They will also challenge yesterday's appointment of Mr Skate's deputy, first-time MP Geoffrey Nape, as the new Speaker. He was appointed without a vote when no other nominations were received.

Meanwhile, a legal challenge was launched yesterday against Thursday's election by parliament of veteran PNG author and commentator Paulius Matane to the Governor-General's position.

One of the losing candidates, Pato Kakaraya, is seeking an injunction in the Supreme Court to prevent cabinet from sending a report of the appointment to Buckingham Palace for approval.

Bite the bullet and move on Skate. Stop being childish, you and your party were sacked. Stop going to court for your own gain. Face the music for you and your partys action. If you and the opposition boys are calling for vote of no confidence..where were the numbers when you were voted off Speakers Chair..get over it.

I agree bro.

I can't entirely remember who is doing this, but our country can continue it's increase if the Government stopes squabling and turns to helps PNG. Sort your selfish problems immediately and continue our ascend into a Modern age PLEASE. It's better for the people and the country, hurry up.

PLEASE...! I wish people around read these opinions..!

PNG deserve good and honest leaders with people's interest at heart. Such political blender puts the bureaucracy machinery and businesses at risk and more importantly the people suffer. Prosperity is significant and that is what peole need, benefits to improve quality of life by deliverance of public goods and services. Moreover, bailing the country out of economic crises. Neglegence by politicians does not improve domestic and international confidence. Politicians are a real liablity to the state because of self interest and power hungry. The state deserve better leaders who can lead PNG out of this mess.