Papua New Guinea's Acting Prime Minister, Dr Puka Temu, has taken over the portfolio of the suspended Treasurer and Finance Minister, Patrick Pruaitch.
Mr Pruaitch has been suspended on full pay following a Supreme Court ruling earlier this week.
The ruling was in relation to an appeal by him against his referral to a leadership tribunal over allegations of misconduct in office made last July.
Our correspondent, Oseah Philemon, says it's likely to be a priority issue for the Prime Minister to sort out upon his return from overseas.
"He is now suspended from office pending his appearance before the Leadership Tribunal. So the situation is that the leader [Mr Pruaitch] cannot now perform his duties as the Minister for Finance and Treasury. That position now has reverted back to the Acting Prime Minister, and [Mr Pruaitch] is now under suspension."
PNG correspondent Oseah Philemon
