Sir Julius takes swipe at PNG's prime minister
Updated
![Sir Michael Somare has come underfire from former PM Sir Julius Chan. [Reuters]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/png_somare_apec_rtr_090907.jpg?<BR> "Sir Michael Somare has come underfire from former PM Sir Julius Chan. [Reuters]")
Sir Michael Somare has come underfire from former PM Sir Julius Chan. [Reuters]
A former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister claims legislation governing political parties and candidates could turn future leaders into dictators.
Our reporter in Port Moresby Firmin Nanol says PNG passed legislation six years ago in a bid to stabilise the parliamentary system.
The Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates law is designed to stop party members switching sides.
But a former prime minister now says that legislation is flawed.
Sir Julius Chan says it stops individual members exercising a conscience vote on the Prime Minister's performance in government -- and he wants the law scrapped.
Sir Julius' comments came during a speech to an audience of nearly 1,000 people at the University of PNG.
Sir Julius, now New Ireland Governor, likened Sir Michael to self-styled Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe.
The prime minister's office says the law will not be scrapped.is office has accused Sir Julius of trying to cause instability within the government.
Sir Michael will have served 10 years in office by the time the next elections are due in 2012.
