Vanuatu's opposition has asked Edward Natapei to resign as the prime minister, saying national issues are no longer his priority.
The call was made by a former minister of internal affairs who was sacked last year, Patrick Crowby, and three other opposition politicians.
They claimed that Mr Natapei is putting more time into resolving the rift within his Vanuaku Party and taking leave for overseas medical treatment.
They say the party rift and his health have delayed parliament debate on important bills.
The office of the prime minister has confirmed that Mr Natapei is in Australia for medical treatment after spending last week on an official visit to China.
