28 Mar 2014

Former PNG Treasurer Don Polye quashes reports of revolt within his party

8:50 am on 28 March 2014

The sacked Papua New Guinea Treasurer and leader of T-H-E Party, Don Polye, has quickly moved to quash reports that there is a revolt within his party and he has been removed as parliamentary leader.

Our correspondent says highly placed sources within the Government have said that a majority of the party's 17 parliamentarians agreed to replace Mr Polye with deputy prime minister Leo Dion as their new party leader.

The sources say T-H-E party MPs say Mr Polye's actions in the last couple of days does not reflect the party charter and he also breached protocol by criticising the Government.

But Mr Polye, when contacted by the Post Courier newspaper, says there was no revolt by his members though he did admit they had a meeting Wednesday evening.

Mr Polye says the prime minister, Peter O'Neill, is the one who said he is going to sack the party unless they change the party leader.

He has described the move as blackmail and bully tactics, adding his party is bound by the Alotau Accord.

The Office of the Prime Minister could not confirm if they received correspondence from T-H-E Party MPs of a change in leadership.

But it is understood seven parliamentarians personally saw the PM recently to advise they will push for Mr Polye's removal.

A political scientist, who did not want to be identified, said the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates did not allow a change of leadership unless it was done through a party convention.

T-H-E officials say the party's constitution requires that all members be given a 14-day notice to advise of a party caucus meeting where issues such as leadership change can be discussed.

Don Polye has embarked on a campaign attacking the 1.1 billion US dollar loan to buy a 10.1 per cent stake in Oil Search Limited since his sacking, fronting up on a radio talkback show on Tuesday to criticise the decision of the prime minister to approve the loan.