Papua New Guinea remains loyal to its constitutional head of state 47 years on

When I joined the new opposition leader the late Sir Iambakey Okuk as his chief advisor in June 1978. I was fortunate to be able to draw on the wonderful political experience Sir John Guise. He lasted barely 12 months as governor-general before deciding the office was without power and returning to parliament as the member for Milne Bay in the 1977 national elections.

Even though his term as deputy leader was even shorter, it was enough time for me to understand the new nation's national constitution. The essence was, and remains, a direct link between the prime minister and his cabinet and the Queen.

The divisive events in Australia of November 11, 1975 simply could not happen in Papua New Guinea. Whereas Sir John Kerr believed he had to behave in what was a deceptive way, for his PNG counterpart there was no such option.

I was absolutely certain of that position as a result of my discussions with Sir John Guise. He was in no doubt that the Queen would side with the Prime Minister and not the Governor-General if a crisis ever arose.

In 1991 Sir Seri Eri, the governor-general, sought to reinstate his close friend, Ted Diro, as deputy prime minister. Retired brigadier-general, Diro, who I had the privilege in knowing very well, had been suspended from office under the draconian provisions of the Leadership Code,

His suspension caused a lot of discomfort in the Namaliu government.

By purporting to reinstate him, the governor-general, who was never an MP, but a highly regarded defence secretary prior to his election as governor-general in in 1990, exposed Prime Minister Namaliu to himself being suspended from office if he allowed the reinstatement to occur.

Buckingham Palace was contacted - without reference to Sir Seri - and it was made very clear that the Queen, as Head of State, would act solely on the advice of the prime minister.

The cabinet secretary, James Winare, was dispatched to London, with a recommendation that the governor-general be dismissed. By the time he reached Singapore Sir Seri resigned, avoiding the need for his dismissal.

The relationship between the head of state and the government was absolutely confirmed as the constitution had specifically required. It has been a remarkably smooth relationship ever since.

The transition to a new head of state is well under way. The current governor-general Sir Bob Dadeo is a former MP. His term will expire in February at which time the national parliament will elect a new governor-general.

The good people of Papua New Guinea may seem indifferent to the role of the head of state but in reality they appear remarkably comfortable with it.