Michael Somare - Somare Politics

Somare Politics

In 2001, to stop Members of the Parliament from ‘party hopping’, party coalitions shifting, and votes of no confidence in the government of the day, the Organic Law on Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC) was introduced. Being the reason the Somare government became the first since 1975 independence to last a full 5 year term. Although, the OLIPPAC did not stop party splits, MPs crossing the floor and attempted votes of no confidence from 2002 through to present. It is highly likely the Somare government will hold power through to mid-2012, protected against a vote of no confidence by the OLIPPAC.

As in the 2002–2007 Parliament, Somare government has been taking advantage of the controlling parliamentary procedures by using its majority to overpower challenges and adjourning Parliament. A greater political stability has been the outcome of such tactics, but this has caused a nation widespread of complaints of ‘executive dominance’ of Parliament, and an overload of blogging against Somare directly. Somare's attempts to block, and suppress the Defence Board of Enquiry report into the Moti affair has been criticized openly. Also charges against Somare for failure to submit financial returns required under the country’s Leadership Code, were only additional to the Prime Ministers list of controversial issues.

Changes of the deputy prime minister have been frequent during the Somare governments period of 2002–present, but no attempt to groom a successor has been made. There was only an attempt by respected Finance Minister Bart Philemon seeking leadership within the National Alliance in 2007 which resulted in him being dumped by the party and therefore crossed over to the opposition. Often it is said Sir Michael would like his son Arthur Somare, Angoram Open MP, to succeed him, but currently has the Leadership Tribunal to face.

Since 2004 the Somare-led government made good use of resources, providing 80 per cent of exports and 40 per cent of government revenue, using ‘windfall’ gains to assist especially government MPs with electoral development funds of PGK 17 million (A$ 7 million) each. With little or no transparency or monitoring of the expenditure, this turns these legislators into the executive government. Somare avoided a vote of no confidence in August 2009 when the government paid PGK 2 million to its MPs each. Also an alleged K60 million at least, has been disbursed from ‘trust’ funds to hold the Somare government together in late July 2010.

The new liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing in Boera and other mining and petroleum developments is generating a new prosperity due to commence production in 2014, which is predicted to double Papua New Guinea's GDP. A justified resource management is much needed for the nation if the forecast benefits are to be secured and distributed equally. To date the returns from management of major development projects has been poor and service delivery in many areas of government has dropped behind policy targets. Expect to see growing unrest, If the highly anticipated befinfits is not delivered to landowners while surrounded by big resource projects.