PNG's prime minster to MP: 'you are dead meat'

PNG's prime minster to MP: 'you are dead meat'

Last Updated: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:51:00 +1000


A session of Papua New Guinea's parliament has ended with an extraordinary outburst by prime minister Sir Michael Somare, who threatened to kill an opponent.

After a ceremony in parliament to swear in the governor-general, the leader of government business moved to suspend parliament until November 16.

When the speaker called for 'ayes' and 'no's', the no's were noticeably louder.

But the speaker said "the ayes have it" and adjourned parliament without calling for a division to count the numbers.

As members were leaving the house, Sir Michael walked towards the opposition benches, pointed at MP Bart Philemon and yelled in pigeon: "I'm going to kill you outside".

But the prime minister's office has told the ABC that Sir Michael has been misquoted. The PM's office says that Sir Michael actually said to the opposition MP "you are dead meat".

Only hours earlier the opposition gave the speaker notice for a motion of no confidence in Sir Michael.

Chaos reigns
Earlier, there were scenes of chaos at Papua New Guinea's parliament during a ceremony to swear in the Governor-General.

Parliament resumed to swear-in Sir Paulias Matane for his second consecutive term as Governor-General, but before that could happen, the opposition called for a vote to defer the ceremony.

It believes the process to re-appoint Sir Paulias was flawed.

As foreign dignitaries looked on from the gallery, MPs hurled abuse across the floor of parliament.

After a lengthy discussion with the clerk the deputy speaker allowed the vote to precede - and it was lost 42 to 59.

The opposition leader and his deputy then left the chamber in protest while Sir Paulias was sworn in as PNG's head of state.

Pacific News Email for Wednesday, 21 July 2010