11 Jun 2010

Bougainville veteran leaders back because they're seen as stable, says observer

3:07 pm on 11 June 2010

A New Zealand politician with close links to the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville says the people want stability and economic growth and that's why they've brought back several veteran leaders.

A former Governor, John Momis, will be joined by two former premiers, Dr Alexius Sarei and Leo Hannett, when his new government is sworn in on Tuesday.

A former diplomat and now New Zealand Government MP, John Hayes, says he believes the community has gone back to their older, stable, trusted leaders in the hope they can put in place a sustainable government and economy.

"I think the community is saying, look, we know these older guys, they did a good job, or an acceptable job when they were premier. They smart young things are perhaps not what we are looking for at the moment. We want to have some stability. We want to more forward economically."