PNG’s ‘father of the nation’ Sir Michael Somare in critical condition

Papua New Guinea’s first prime minister, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, has pancreatic cancer and is receiving palliative care.

The family of Sir Michael Somare had been seeking treatment for him overseas, including in Australia, until his condition deteriorated rapidly. Picture: AFP

Papua New Guinea’s first prime minister, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, is in a critical condition with pancreatic cancer.

The 84-year-old, regarded as the “father of the nation”, is receiving palliative care in a Port Moresby hospital.

The Somare family had been seeking treatment for him overseas, including in Australia, but his condition deteriorated rapidly.

Sir Michael Somare with Bob Hawke in Port Moresby in 2009. Picture: AAP

They issued a statement to the nation on his behalf, “so the public knows the exact extent of this terrible illness”.

“It is with sadness that I advise … the serious illness pancreatic cancer that has befallen our father, Sir Michael, is at a critical stage and we as a family, along with his medical teams, are giving him the utmost care that he deserves,” the family said.

“After comprehensive consultation to ensure all clinical opportunities were exhausted in every jurisdiction with the competencies able to treat the critical stage of this form of cancer, the family, in consultation with the Grand Chief and Lady Veronica, have settled with offering the best palliative care and nutritional and dietary care in PNG.”

The revered former leader was a founding member of PNG’s Pangu Party, which led the country to independence from Australian colonial rule in 1975.

He is the country’s longest-serving prime minister, with a total of 17 years in the role over four separate terms.

Prior to independence, he was the first and last chief minister of the then Australian administered territory.

Sir Michael was born in Rabaul, in East New Britain, but was raised in East Sepik Province which he went on to represent in parliament.

His wife, Lady Veronica Somare, is also reported to be unwell.

Malcolm Fraser and Michael Somare shake hands at Gough Whitlam’s funeral in 2014. Picture: John Feder