Anderson Agiru

Agiru was born in Hogombe village. He was educated at Dauli Primary School and Tari High School, and received a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Prior to his election, he was a student activist and then first secretary to MP and government minister Parry Zeipi.{{cite web | url=http://www.pngfacts.com/news/hela-governor-anderson-agiru-dies | title=Hela Governor Anderson Agiru dies | publisher=PNG Facts | work=28 April 2016 | accessdate=28 December 2016 | archive-date=28 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228195033/http://www.pngfacts.com/news/hela-governor-anderson-agiru-dies | url-status=live }}{{cite news | title=Hela mourns death of Agiru | work=PNG Mirror | date=28 April 2016 }} Agiru was elected as Governor of Southern Highlands Province at the 1997 election, succeeding Dick Mune, and formed the United Resources Party, with himself as leader.{{cite news | title=Somare confident of leading PNG coalition | work=The Australian | date=8 July 1997 }}{{cite news | title=Turmoil in Southern Highlands | work=The National | date=11 June 1999 }}{{cite web | url=http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p96761/pdf/ch0511.pdf | title=Cosmology, Morality and Resource Development: SHP election outcomes and moves to establish a separate Hela Province | publisher=Australian National University | work=Conflict and Resource Development in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea | accessdate=28 December 2016}} In his first term, he criticised Ausaid, claiming that they only carried out relief efforts in "provinces where major Australian businesses are" and stated that multinational oil corporation BP had "[treated] my people with contempt" for selling its shares in local oil projects and "would not be allowed back onto the province".{{cite news | title=Provincial governor vows BP will not be allowed back | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=25 June 1998 }} In July 1999, Agiru remained loyal to Bill Skate during the crisis that resulted in Skate's ouster as prime minister by Mekere Morauta; however, in December he and four other governors crossed over to support the Morauta government.{{cite web | title=United Resources Party says still with government | publisher=The National | work=3 July 1999 }}{{cite news | title=Highlands governors switch to government side | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=21 December 1999 }}

In June 1999, Agiru faced serious tribal unrest and calls for a state of emergency after Mune, who he had defeated in 1997, was killed in a car accident on the way to attend a court hearing involving a challenge to validity of Agiru's election.{{cite news | title=Team wants state of emergency in Southern Highlands | work=The National | date=15 June 1999 }}{{cite web | url=http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/docserver/22134379/156/2/22134379_156_02_s03_text.pdf?expires=1482882640&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=4ECB4856FB5A3E352292C8B5177A1A9B | title=Accident, Agency, and Liability in New Guinea Highlands Compensation Practices | date=2000 | accessdate=28 December 2016 |author1-link=Andrew Strathern| author=Strathern, Andrew | author2=Stewart, Pamela J. | name-list-style=amp}} Agiru was one of the signatories to a peace agreement regarding conflict between the Nipa and Tari people in September 1999.{{cite news | title=Police urge adherence to Highlands peace deal | work=PNG Post Courier | date=14 September 1999 }} It was reported in August 2000 that tribal fighting in the Southern Highlands had claimed more than 100 lives in the preceding year.{{cite news | title=PNG: Anger at killings by police | work=Australian Financial Review | date=4 August 2000 }} On 13 October 2000, both Agiru and the provincial government were suspended by Morauta, remaining in office but stripped of their powers, with administrators called in to run the government.{{cite news | title=Southern Highlands provincial government suspended | work=The National | date=16 October 2000 }}

In March, while still suspended, he was charged with misappropriating more than US$180,000 in public funds and released on bail.{{cite news | title=Highland governor freed on bail | work=Radio New Zealand | date=6 March 2001 }} In separate proceedings, in May, he was referred to the public prosecutor and the Leadership Tribunal for failing to furnish annual statements for the period 1984 to 1993 and being in possession of a high-powered firearm.{{cite news | title=Fourth PBG MP named in $13 million gaming rip-off | work=Australian Associated Press | date=7 May 2001 }} In October 2001, the National Court found Agiru's suspension unconstitutional and reinstated his powers as governor after a year.{{cite news | title=Landmark ruling ends suspension of provincial governments | work=PNG Post-zcourier | date=9 October 2001 }} In November, he was referred to a Leadership Tribunal for the second time over an incident where he was alleged to have held a pistol to the head of another person while playing golf.{{cite news | title=Agiru to face new charges before leadership tribunal | work=PNG Post Courier | date=8 November 2001 }} He then challenged the referral to the Leadership Tribunal in court, claiming that the tribunal did not have jurisdiction because of an alleged denial of natural justice in the referral process, though it did not prevent his suspension while proceedings were ongoing.{{cite news | title=Agiru disputes power of tribunal. | work=PNG Post Courier | date=29 November 2001 }} On November 28, the opposition faction of the provincial government, in association with two national ministers, attempted to oust Agiru and install Tom Tomiape as governor; however, this was declared unconstitutional in December and Agiru was reaffirmed as governor.{{cite news | title=I'm still Governor - Agiru | work=PNG Post Courier | date=30 November 2001 }}{{cite news | title=Agiru affirmed in office | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=17 December 2001 }} The crisis was reported to have led to a flareup of tribal fighting which had claimed up to twenty lives.{{cite news | title=Tribal fighting halted in PNG | work=Australian Associated Press | date=21 December 2001 }}

Agiru was found guilty by the Leadership Tribunal on twelve of the fifteen counts against him on 16 January 2002, and dismissed him from office, in addition to a fine, on 18 January.{{cite news | title=Papua New Guinea provincial governor found guilty of misconduct | work=PNG Village | date=16 January 2002 }}{{cite news | title=Agiru given the boot | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=21 January 2002 }} Subsequent attempt to overturn the dismissal were rejected by the National Court in March, May and June, and the Supreme Court in June. As such, he was prevented from contesting the 2002 election and barred from public office for three years.{{cite news | title=Agiru appeal fails | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=15 March 2002 }}{{cite news | title=Agiru out of poll | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=27 May 2002 }}{{cite news | title=Agiru loses court appeal | work=PNG Post Courier | date=25 June 2002 }} Another attempt to contest the Southern Highlands supplementary election was rejected in April 2003, ruling that his ban until January 2005 would stand.{{cite news | title=Agiru election run stumped | work=PNG Post Courier | date=14 April 2003 }}

Agiru returned to politics at the 2007 election, defeating his replacement as governor, Hami Yawari.{{cite news | title=How Highlands governors fare | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=24 July 2007 }}{{cite news | title=Court stops WHP counting | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=6 August 2007 }} Yawari filed a petition challenging the result, but it was thrown out in May 2008, and again with an appeal in November.{{cite news | title=Agiru duly-elected MP and Governor | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=28 May 2008 }}{{cite news | title=Agiru retains seat | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=7 November 2008 }} Having been leader of the United Resources Party in his first term, he continued as deputy leader under William Duma.{{cite news | title=One MP confirms, another denies | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=19 July 2010 }}

Agiru had been a key opponent of an early attempt to develop the region's liquefied natural gas by piping it to Queensland, Australia, advocating instead that it be developed onshore in Papua New Guinea. The opposition was successful, with proponents shifting to onshore processing instead.{{cite news | title=Leader praises Hela Governor | work=PNG Post Courier | date=13 October 2014 }} As negotiations intensified for the onshore development, four resource owners associations appointed Agiru as their negotiator in regard to ExxonMobil's development of the PNG Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project on the Hides gas field.{{cite news | title=Landowners name Agiru as spokesman | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=14 April 2009 }} In May, they settled on an agreement which would result in $AU9.5 billion in payments to landholders over the life of the project for what was labelled at the time as "the largest private investment in Papua New Guinea".{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/png-landowners-to-receive-95bn-20090525-bkuf.html | title=PNG landowners to receive $9.5bn | work=Sydney Morning Herald | date=26 May 2009 | accessdate=28 December 2016}} The deal, reportedly to double PNG's gross domestic product, was finalised in December, with Agiru praised in press coverage for his "instrumental" role in "volatile, hostile and occasional violent" negotiations with landowners.{{cite news | title=PNG sign historical LNG deal and enters new era | work=Australian Associated Press | date=8 December 2009 }}

In July 2009, the National Parliament voted to create two new provinces in the highlands, Hela Province and Jiwaka Province. Agiru praised MPs for supporting the bill, stating that it had been a dream for the people of Hela to have their own province since 1974, and that it had finally been achieved. He also stated, in relation to the ExxonMobil project, "The Hela people had repeatedly said 'No Hela, no gas', but the prime minister has delivered".{{cite news | title=PNG creates two new provinces- Hela and Jiwaka | work=Australian Associated Press | date=15 July 2009 }}{{cite news | title=Jiwaka, Hela set to go! | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=15 July 2009 }}

In August 2010, Agiru oversaw a ban on liquor in Southern Highlands Province.{{cite news | title=Liquor ban in SHP welcomed | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=26 August 2010 }} By 2011, he was reported to lead one of two rival factions within the United Resource Party, with Duma leading the other.{{cite news | title=Enga NA sacks Abal | work=PNG Post Courier | date=9 June 2011 }} In June, Duma expelled Agiru from the URP for insubordination.{{cite news | title=Major reshuffle | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=22 June 2011 }} In that year, he stated "building a house is naturally a man's job" and that it was "unmanly and unHuli" for Hela women to build their own houses.{{cite news | title=Agiru to build house for women | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=21 October 2011 }} He continued to support Michael Somare during the prolonged dispute over his ouster as prime minister by Peter O'Neill, and in December 2011 was appointed by Somare as his would-be nominee for Deputy Prime Minister.{{cite news | title=Big blow for Somare camp | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=23 December 2011 }} In March 2012, he co-founded the People's United Assembly party with five other MPs, assuming the leadership of the new party.{{cite news | title=Agiru to lead new group | work=PNG Post Courier | date=19 March 2012 }}

In June 2012, he formally nominated to contest the inaugural governorship of Hela Province rather than to recontest Southern Highlands Province, declaring that "today I am closing the chapter of Southern Highlands and opening a new chapter for Hela Province."{{cite news | title=Agiru nominates for Hela | work=PNG Post Courier | date=14 June 2012 }}

In 2012, having campaigned for the creation of Hela Province, he was elected as its first Governor. He switched his support to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill in the wake of the election.{{cite news | title=Alotau camp rises to 80 | work=PNG Post Courier | date=31 July 2012 }} In September, he called for boom gates to be erected on the border of Hela Province and Southern Highlands Province.{{cite news | title=Agiru's call for boom gates commendable | work=PNG Post Courier | date=12 September 2012 }} In his first budget, he supported reinvesting the proceeds of the gas project in developing agriculture in Hela, including the construction of two agribusiness factories in conjunction with an Israeli firm.{{cite news | title=Agiru sets sights on agri-industries | work=PNG Post Courier | date=23 January 2013 }}

In April 2013, he criticised ExxonMobil in the media, claiming that they had not met their obligations in regard to the development of infrastructure promised as part of the gas project, and threatening legal action if they were not addressed within thirty days.{{cite news | title=ExxonMobil upset with Agiru | work=PNG Post Courier | date=24 April 2013 }} This led to criticism from the company and some other MPs, who stated that negative media would "hinder progress".{{cite news | title=Agiru, Hela urged for caution | work=PNG Post Courier | date=25 April 2013 }} His threat was supported by some landowners' associations, who stated that they were ready to force the project to close if the demands were not met, while Nipa-Kutubu leaders threatened to block the road to the gas field in support and an NGO stated that people were "prepared to take action similar to how Bougainville landowners closed the Panguna Copper mine in 1989".{{cite news | title=Locals back Agiru | work=PNG Post Courier | date=25 April 2013 }}{{cite news | title=Landowners support Agiru | work=PNG Post Courier | date=30 April 2013 }}{{cite news | title=Claim landowner frustration could shut down huge PNG gas project | work=Radio New Zealand News | date=2 May 2013 }} However, by mid-May, talks with ExxonMobil and the national government had largely satisfied Agiru and the provision agreement, with agreements signed to provide a way forward.{{cite news | title=Agiru, Exxon hold talks | work=PNG Post Courier | date=14 June 2012 }}{{cite news | title=Way to address Agiru's petition found | work=PNG Post Courier | date=16 May 2013 }}

In July 2013, Agiru, a devout Christian associated with the Evangelical Church of Papua New Guinea, moved a motion in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea to declare Papua New Guinea a Christian country, stating that "foreign religions were coming into the country and destroying the way the people thought and believed" and that he wanted "to see if the people of PNG, the Churches and everyone agree that all forms of other religions which are not Christian must be banned from Papua New Guinea."{{cite news | url=http://www.thenational.com.pg/agiru-declare-png-christian/ | title=Agiru: Declare PNG Christian | work=The National | date=15 July 2013 | accessdate=28 December 2016 | archive-date=28 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228195221/http://www.thenational.com.pg/agiru-declare-png-christian/ | url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=http://pidp.org/pireport/2013/July/07-15-11.htm | title=PNG Parliament Calls For Religious Freedom Consultations | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=July 2013 | accessdate=28 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228124336/http://pidp.org/pireport/2013/July/07-15-11.htm | archive-date=28 December 2016 | url-status=dead }}

In November 2013, in an attempt to stop long-running tribal fights in the province, Agiru supported an operation in conjunction with the Papua New Guinea Defence Forces, which saw a combined force of 120 soldiers sent to Hela to break up the conflicts.{{cite news | title=Security forces muscle up in troubled Hela | work=PNG Post Courier | date=24 November 2014 }} In March 2015, a petition challenging his 2012 re-election was thrown out by the National Court.{{cite news | title=Agiru defeats poll victory challenge | work=PNG Post-Courier | date=13 March 2015 }} In April 2015, Agiru was rushed to hospital and placed in intensive care after kidney-related health complications.{{cite news | title=Official plays down Agiru health scare | work=PNG Post Courier | date=20 April 2015 }} He subsequently went to China for further treatment in May.{{cite news | title=Agiru seeks medical treatment in China | work=PNG Post Courier | date=12 May 2015 }}

On 22 December 2015, members of the Hela Provincial Assembly passed a motion of no-confidence attempting to remove Agiru from office, although Agiru won a court order later in the day blocking implementation of the vote until further hearings had taken place.{{cite news | title=Agiru ousted | work=PNG Post Courier | date=23 December 2015 }} He returned to Hela Province after a prolonged absence on 23 December, and was supported by national minister James Marape and MP Philip Undialu.{{cite news | title=A king's welcome | work=PNG Post Courier | date=24 December 2015 }} He declared that he would "fight them on every front" and stated "God has healed me" in relation to his health issues.{{cite news | title=Agiru maintains reign | work=PNG Post Courier | date=28 December 2015 }} The National Court initially rejected Agiru's challenge to his removal, and Francis Potape was sworn in as governor by the end of December.{{cite news | title=PNG province puts Potape in prime role | work=Radio New Zealand News International | date=30 December 2015 }} National Inter-Government Relations Minister Leo Dion supported the ouster and claimed that Agiru was now only a member of the National Parliament for Hela Province and not Governor.{{cite news | title=Dion welcomes Potape as new Hela Governor | work=PNG Post Courier | date=7 January 2016 }} However, on 7 January, the National Court reinstated Agiru until a full hearing in mid-February, subsequently postponed to March, with Agiru remaining in office until then.{{cite news | title=Potape appeals against National Court ruling | work=PNG Post Courier | date=11 January 2016 }}{{cite news | title=National court refuse Potape bid to dismiss case | work=PNG Post Courier | date=15 March 2016 }} Potape then went to court in February in separate proceedings in an attempt to nullify all decisions made by Agiru in the interim.{{cite news | title=Potape seeks legal bid to nullify Agiru decisions | work=PNG Post Courier | date=16 February 2016 }}

Agiru died from a heart attack on 28 April 2016 at the age of 54, having received treatment for a kidney malfunction since June 2015. The funeral service was held at Andajali oval in Tari, and he was buried in his mother's village, Tapanda.{{cite news | url=http://www.looppng.com/content/national-speaker-theo-zurenouc-hands-over-body-late-agiru | title=National Speaker Theo Zurenouc hands over body of late Agiru | work=Loop Pacific | date=20 May 2016 | accessdate=28 December 2016 | archive-date=28 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228195031/http://www.looppng.com/content/national-speaker-theo-zurenouc-hands-over-body-late-agiru | url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=http://loopvanuatu-sb.com/content/late-anderson-agiru%E2%80%99s-body-finally-laid-rest | title=Late Anderson Agiru's body finally laid to rest | work=Loop Pacific | date=24 May 2016 | accessdate=28 December 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228195148/http://loopvanuatu-sb.com/content/late-anderson-agiru%E2%80%99s-body-finally-laid-rest | archive-date=28 December 2016 | url-status=dead }}{{cite news | title=Hela, Jiwaka leaders announce union | work=PNG Post Courier | date=17 May 2016 }} In June, the National Court finally declared that Agiru's December dismissal was null and void and of no effect.

He was married to Cathy Kakaraya, daughter of Sir Pato Kakaraya.

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{{s-bef|before=Dick Mune}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member for Southern Highlands Provincial|years=1997–2002}}

{{s-aft|after=Hami Yawari}}

{{s-bef|before=Hami Yawari}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member for Southern Highlands Provincial|years=2007–2012}}

{{s-aft|after=William Powi}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Member for Hela Provincial|years=2012–2016}}

{{s-aft|after=Philip Undialu}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Agiru, Anderson}}

Category:Place of birth missing

Category:2016 deaths

Category:Governors of Hela Province

Category:Governors of Southern Highlands Province

Category:Government ministers of Papua New Guinea

Category:Members of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea

Category:United Resources Party politicians

Category:People's United Assembly politicians

Category:1960s births