5 Dec 2003

Papua New Guinea elects new governor general

7:38 am on 5 December 2003

Papua New Guinea's parliament has elected a new governor-general after the courts declared the previous election invalid.

Former politician Sir Pato Kakaraya won the vote, well in front of Sir Albert Kipalan who won September's botched election.

Last month the Supreme Court ordered a fresh election because some politicians had supported more than one candidate in the vote for the Queen's representative.

Sir Pato will be sworn-in as governor-general on January 28.

The term of former governor-general Sir Silus Atopare expired last month, leaving Speaker of Parliament Bill Skate acting in the position.