Skate, Bill (1953–2006)

Papua New Guinea politician; prime minister 1997–99, he headed a five-party coalition government, which included his People's National Congress (PNC). His government negotiated a permanent ceasefire in January 1998 to end the eight-year-old Bouganville conflict, and announced plans to extend education. However, Skate's position was weakened in November 1997 when a videotape, shown on Australian television, suggested that he had connections with Port Moresby's notorious ‘raskol’ criminal gangs and that he had authorized bribes. Skate claimed that he had been drunk at the time of the filming and dismissed the demand, made by opposition leader Michael Somare, for his resignation. He finally resigned in July 1999 and was replaced by Mekere Morauta.

Born in Ara'ara village, Baimuru, in the Gulf province, Skate studied accountancy at university and during the 1980s had a successful career in management and business. His political career began in 1992 when he was elected to the national parliament and he swiftly became its speaker. In August 1994 he resigned as speaker to challenge Julius Chan, unsuccessfully, for the premiership. He later stepped down from parliament in mid-1995 to become governor of the National Capital District (Port Moresby).

Skate challenged Chan for the premiership once again in March 1997, following a scandal over the government's hiring of 60 foreign mercenaries to assist the government's war effort against secessionists on Bougainville island. He eventually became prime minister after the June 1997 general election.

His recognition of Taiwan, in July 1999, was revoked by the new prime minister, Mekere Morauta, in August.