Hon. Don Polye MP |
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Leader of the Opposition of Papua New Guinea | |
Assumed office 2016 |
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Preceded by | Sam Basil |
Leader of the Opposition of Papua New Guinea | |
In office December 2014 – 2016 |
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Preceded by | Belden Namah |
Succeeded by | Sam Basil |
Leader of Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party | |
Assumed office 2012 |
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Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea | |
In office 2010–2010 |
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Preceded by | Puka Temu |
Succeeded by | Sam Abal |
Member of National Parliament for Kandep Open | |
Assumed office 9 November 2009 |
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Preceded by | Don Polye |
Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea | |
In office 2006–2007 |
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Preceded by | Moi Avei |
Succeeded by | Puka Temu |
Member of National Parliament for Kandep Open | |
In office 2002 – 14 August 2009 |
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Preceded by | Jimson Sauk |
Succeeded by | Don Polye |
Personal details | |
Born |
Enga Province |
1 February 1967
Political party |
Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party (2012–present) National Alliance Party (2002-2012) |
Education | Avi Community School |
Alma mater |
Southern Cross University (2004-2007) Lae University of Technology (1987-1990) |
Religion | Seventh-day Adventist Church |
Don Pomb Polye(born 1 February 1967) is a senior Papua New Guinean politician from Enga Province. He has been a Cabinet Minister under two Prime Ministers to date, and was briefly Deputy Prime Minister from July to December 2010. Earlier, he has held Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Transport, Civil Aviation, Finance and Treasury portfolios.
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. 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. He was also Deputy Prime Minister from July 2006 until August 2007. 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 supported the Opposition when it brought down the government through a parliamentary motion of no confidence in August 2011, and was appointed Minister for Finance by new Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.