Peter O'Neill sworn in as PNG's new PM

3 Aug 2012, 7:01 pm   -   Source: AAP
Peter O'Neill is likely to be elected PM of PNG after attempts to stop parliament sitting failed. (AAP)

Peter O'Neill is likely to be elected PM of PNG after attempts to stop parliament sitting failed. (AAP)

Peter O'Neill has been sworn in as prime minister of Papua New Guinea, after an overwhelming vote on the floor of parliament.

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Peter O'Neill has been sworn in as prime minister of Papua New Guinea, after an overwhelming vote of support on the floor of parliament.

Mr O'Neill was elected by 94 votes to 12 on the floor of the chamber on Friday, hours after a last-ditch legal bid to halt proceedings failed.

There were no other nominees and he was sworn in by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio, who earlier in the day swore in parliament's choice for Speaker of the house, Theo Zurenuoc.

It was Mr O'Neill's fourth parliamentary election to the top job in a year, and widely expected.

However, his former deputy prime minister and now likely opposition leader Belden Namah had repeatedly insisted in the lead-up to the vote he would form government.

"This is certainly an historic day for Papua New Guinea," Mr O'Neill told reporters on the steps of government house.

"I am pleased to announce the government of Papua New Guinea is now in place.

"I am also pleased our party, People's National Congress, has been given an overwhelming mandate by both the parliament and the people of our country, and I look forward to working with them in the coming years."

Mr O'Neill, with the aid of power-broker MP and former prime minister Sir Julius Chan, fashioned a broad coalition of major and minor parties.

It includes Sir Michael Somare, who was turfed out as prime minister by Mr O'Neill and Mr Namah on August 2 2011, a move that sparked a series of constitutional crises that culminated in a failed military mutiny ordered by Sir Michael in January.

In a joint statement, Acting Australian Prime Minister Wayne Swan and Foreign Minister Bob Carr paid tribute to Sir Michael, who was PNG's first PM from 1975 to 1980 and its longest-serving leader, after a stint in office from 2002 to August last year.

"Sir Michael's participation in the new parliament and new coalition is a welcome signal of political reconciliation after the tensions of recent months," they said.

"The government looks forward to working with Prime Minister O'Neill and his ministerial team to further strengthen the close partnership between Australia and PNG."

As MPs were sworn in on Friday, the chamber burst into applause for PNG's two female MPs Delilah Gore and Loujaya Toni.

Both women are part of Mr O'Neill's government.

Outside parliament, retired former opposition leader Dame Carol Kidu said the election of two women showed PNG was moving in the right direction.

"It is a sign we're on the road," she said.

"We have improved 100 per cent, but we are still well below (international standards)."

Ms Kidu was for 15 years PNG's only female MP until her retirement at the 2012 poll.

Still able to grab the limelight, Mr Namah, a former soldier, prisoner and deputy prime minister, arrived late to the chamber with about 15 MPs in tow.

He bowed to and shook hands with chief justice Sir Salamo Injia, who presided over the opening of parliament. Two months ago he stormed the court demanding Sir Salamo's arrest.

After being sworn in to the new parliament (having missed the earlier ceremony), Mr Namah shook hands with fellow MPs before meeting Mr O'Neill.

There was loud clapping as they clasped each other's hands and shook.

The chamber then erupted in laughter.

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