Prime Minister

“In 2012, when we took office only 23 per cent of all our roads (national highways) in the country were said to be in a good condition; today, I can tell you that over 50 per cent of roads in the country are classified as in good condition,” O’Neill said during the launching of PNC campaign for the election today in Port Moresby.   

“We (PNC led government) have rebuilt over 3,000km of roads throughout the country, but we have further 10, 000km we have to attend to, these are key major roads linking all our towns, cities and districts.”

RNZ reports the fourth EU-Vanuatu Political Dialogue will formally open tomorrow.

Mr Salwai's delegation includes the Foreign Minister Bruno Leingkone, the Agriculture Minister Matai Nawalu as well as other senior government officials.

It is expected Vanuatu will brief the EU on its new strategic plan, called Vanuatu 2030, an over-arching policy framework for the government's development plans for the next 13 years.

RNZ reports the opposition deposited the motion with the Speaker a week ago.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister, Hilaire Bule, says they have been assured that the 34 government members continue to back Mr Salwai.

If that is the case the opposition would have the support of just 18 MPs, but would need 27 to effect a change of government.

This is the second attempt in a matter of weeks to try and remove Mr Salwai whose government is promising constitutional reforms to try and limit the de-stabilising effects of no confidence motions.

Called it "the hardest decision I've ever made," an emotional Mr Key said "I don't know what I'll do next".

Deputy PM Bill English is likely to take over until the National Party holds a caucus to choose a new PM.

Mr Key, a popular leader, is stepping down at the request of his wife Bronagh, the New Zealand Herald reports.

He won a third term for the National Party at elections in September 2014. He said he would not be contesting the 2017 election.

'Nothing left'

The motion has been submitted by the opposition bloc and a vote has been scheduled to be held in parliament next Wednesday.

The Daily Post newspaper said the speaker had ruled the motion in order with 31 signatures on it, but it is unclear whose signatures are on it.

However, the government has also spent the day maneuvering, reportedly announcing a series of new appointments in an attempt to shore up its support.

Parliament will sit today at 2pm, local time.

'Akilisi Pohiva has told parliament he has doubts that the country will be ready in time to host the Games.

He said the government had still not found land to build an 18-hole golf course for the Games and the scheduled upgrade of the Teufaiva Stadium was also in doubt.

But the CEO of the Games Organising Committee, Lord Sevele, said a new golf course is not necessary.

Ofis blong Praem Minista, hemi mekem call ia afta we ino kat wan long olgeta i turn up long miting blong ICT long tede morning long Melanesian Hotel. Aut long ol Darekta Jenerol ikat wan nomo, hemi bin stap long moning ia mo long saed blong ol darekta blong ol dipatmen, ino kat wan igo long ples blong miting.

Miting, hemi sapos blong stat long 9h00 be ol ogenaesa, oli mas dileiem go kasem oli postponem from we ol DG mo darekta ino turn up.

Kosi Latu, who will become Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme in Samoa next month said Prime Minister Sopoaga, leader of the small island nation of Tuvalu, as lead negotiator and spokesman of the Pacific led from the front, braving long negotiation sessions till the early hours of the next day.