2 Jan 2006

PNG's former Prime Minister flown to Brisbane for treatment

10:32 am on 2 January 2006

Papua New Guinea's former prime minister, Sir William Skate, has been flown to a Brisbane hospital for treatment after suffering a stroke.

The 52-year-old arrived in the Australian city from Port Moresby over the weekend and is in the intensive care unit at Wesley Hospital.

The news agency, the Australian Associated Press, says he was flown to Brisbane as a precaution as doctors at Port Moresby General Hospital are threatening to walk off the job if striking nurses do not return to work.

Sir William could remain at the Wesley hospital for up to a month.

He was PNG's prime minister from 1997 until 1999.