Don Polye
Encyclopedia
Don Polye is a Papua New Guinea
n politician from Enga Province
. He was the Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation from July 2006 to August 2009. Sir Michael Somare
, the Prime Minister
, appointed Polye to that position in July 2006 as part of a Cabinet
reshuffle.
Polye was first elected in 2002 to the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
representing the Kandep Open electorate as a member of the National Alliance Party
and was later promoted to the ministry. As Minister for Civil Aviation he introduced an "open air" policy ensuring that Air Niugini
faced competition from other airlines starting from 2007.
Polye was rushed from a political rally in his Kandep electorate in June 2007 after shots were fired. A rival candidate for his seat was later charged with attempted murder.
Polye was removed from his position as Member of Parliament on 14 August 2009 when the National Court determined that his victory in the 2007 general election
was invalid. The judge's ruling included the observation that it was hard to believe that some polling stations had returned a 100% vote for Polye. The by-election for the seat took place on 9 November 2009, and Polye ran as a candidate. He was successful in regaining his seat.
In July 2010, he replaced Puka Temu
as deputy Prime Minister, when the latter tried unsuccessfully to unseat Prime Minister Somare through a parliamentary motion of no confidence
. Polye himself was removed as deputy Prime Minister on 7 December 2010, in an impromptu cabinet reshuffle conducted under what Australia's ABC News called "unusual circumstances".
However he was appointed as Papua New Guinea's foreign minister later in December 2010, holding that position until another cabinet reshuffle in June 2011. He rejoined the Cabinet in August 2011, as Finance minister in the caretaker cabinet of the new prime minister, Peter O'Neill.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
n politician from Enga Province
Enga Province
Enga refers to both an ethnic group located in the highlands of Papua New Guinea and the province in which they are the majority ethnic group.-Physical geography:...
. He was the Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation from July 2006 to August 2009. Sir Michael Somare
Michael Somare
Sir Michael Thomas Somare, GCL, GCMG, CH, CF, KStJ, MP was Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2002 to 2011; he had previously been Prime Minister from independence in 1975 until 1980 and again from 1982 until 1985. Somare's first two terms were as a member of the Pangu Party, but he then...
, the Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, appointed Polye to that position in July 2006 as part of a Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
reshuffle.
Polye was first elected in 2002 to the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea is the unicameral national legislature in Papua New Guinea. It was first created in 1964 as the House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea, but gained its current name with the granting of independence in 1975....
representing the Kandep Open electorate as a member of the National Alliance Party
National Alliance Party (Papua New Guinea)
The National Alliance Party is a political party in Papua New Guinea. It was founded in 1995 by Bernard Narokobi, Moi Avei, Bart Philemon and Masket Iangalio, who invited Sir Michael Somare to lead them to the 1997 elections after he had been sacked as leader of the Pangu Party.National Alliance...
and was later promoted to the ministry. As Minister for Civil Aviation he introduced an "open air" policy ensuring that Air Niugini
Air Niugini
Air Niugini Limited is the national airline of Papua New Guinea, based in Air Niugini House on the property of Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby. It operates a domestic network from Port Moresby and Lae, as well as international services in Asia, Oceania, and Australia. Its main base is...
faced competition from other airlines starting from 2007.
Polye was rushed from a political rally in his Kandep electorate in June 2007 after shots were fired. A rival candidate for his seat was later charged with attempted murder.
Polye was removed from his position as Member of Parliament on 14 August 2009 when the National Court determined that his victory in the 2007 general election
Papua New Guinean general election, 2007
General elections were held in Papua New Guinea from 30 June 2007 to 14 July 2007.For the first time, the election did not use first past the post , but rather Limited Preferential Voting, in which voters number...
was invalid. The judge's ruling included the observation that it was hard to believe that some polling stations had returned a 100% vote for Polye. The by-election for the seat took place on 9 November 2009, and Polye ran as a candidate. He was successful in regaining his seat.
In July 2010, he replaced Puka Temu
Puka Temu
Sir Puka Temu, KBE, CMG is a Papua New Guinean politician. From 2007 to 2010, he was deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands, Physical Planning and Mining in the government led by Prime Minister Michael Somare. Temu is a member of the National Alliance Party. In July 2010, he spearheaded an...
as deputy Prime Minister, when the latter tried unsuccessfully to unseat Prime Minister Somare through a parliamentary motion of no confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
. Polye himself was removed as deputy Prime Minister on 7 December 2010, in an impromptu cabinet reshuffle conducted under what Australia's ABC News called "unusual circumstances".
However he was appointed as Papua New Guinea's foreign minister later in December 2010, holding that position until another cabinet reshuffle in June 2011. He rejoined the Cabinet in August 2011, as Finance minister in the caretaker cabinet of the new prime minister, Peter O'Neill.