Hopes PNG's Somare able to make farewell speech today

1:07 pm on 4 April 2017

Talks are underway to try and ensure that Papua New Guinea's founding prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, who is retiring from parliament can make his farewell speech today.

Former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare

Former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

The programme for the final session has been condensed to a single day after the only piece of legislation - a hike in election candidate's fees - had been shelved.

This left just the farewell for Sir Michael, which had been planned for Thursday, but the Leader of House business, James Marape, said it would happen today.

The Somare family was angered by the move but it was now trying to ensure there would a quorum today so the speech could go ahead.

There had been suggestions in Port Moresby that a large number of MPs would not attend the session.

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