The Hon. Sir William Jack Skate KCMG (September 26, 1953 – January 3, 2006) was a Papua New Guinea politician and statesman. Though his career was turbulent and often marked by setbacks, he served in the highest posts in his country: Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Parliament, and acting Governor-General. On the Orders insignia, St Michael is often depicted subduing Satan. ... September 26 is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 96 days remaining. ... 1953 (MCMLIII) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... List of Prime Ministers of Papua New Guinea Sir Michael Somare (1975-1980) Sir Julius Chan (1980-1982) Sir Michael Somare (1982-1985) Paias Wingti (1985-1988) Sir Rabbie Namaliu (1988-1992) Paias Wingti (1992-1994) Sir Julius Chan (1994-1997) Bill Skate (1997-1999) Sir Mekere Morauta (1999-2002... The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea is the unicameral national legislature in Papua New Guinea. ... The Governor-General of Papua New Guinea is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, known in Tok Pisin as Missis Kwin, Papua New Guineas head of state, performing the same duties as the Queen in the United Kingdom. ...

He was Prime Minister from 1997 to 1999 and resigned after 18 months, fearing that he would lose a challenge. In 2002, his political party the People's National Congress (PNC) became a coalition partner in the government of Michael Somare and Skate became Speaker of the National Parliament. He was appointed acting Governor-General in November 2003, a constitutional requirement when that office falls vacant. Sir Pato Kakeraya was scheduled to take up the office on January 20, 2004, but Skate continued to act in the office because of court challenges to Kakeraya's election. On March 3, 2004, Skate was suspended as acting governor-general because of allegations that he misappropriated funds during the 1990s. He then advised the Prime Minister to appoint a cabinet minister as acting governor-general. The following day, however, he was cleared of the financial charges in court, and he became acting governor-general again. In May 2004, his party left the coalition when he and other members refused to support a constitutional amendment supported by Somare which would have given the government more time to be immune to no confidence votes. As a result, the PNC became the largest opposition party. On May 28, 2004, Skate ceased to be Speaker when the parliament elected a pro-government candidate, Jeffrey Nape. The office of governor-general was still vacant at that stage, so Nape automatically succeeded Skate as acting governor-general. 1997 (MCMXCVII in Roman) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... For the Cusco album, see 2002 (album). ... Rt Hon. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pato Kakeraya KBE was the second person considered for the recent elections for Governor General of Papua New Guinea. ... January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... It has been designated the: International Year of Rice (by the United Nations) International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO) 2004 World Health Day topic was Road Safety (by World Health Organization) Year of the Monkey (by the Chinese calendar) See the world in... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... It has been designated the: International Year of Rice (by the United Nations) International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO) 2004 World Health Day topic was Road Safety (by World Health Organization) Year of the Monkey (by the Chinese calendar) See the world in... It has been designated the: International Year of Rice (by the United Nations) International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO) 2004 World Health Day topic was Road Safety (by World Health Organization) Year of the Monkey (by the Chinese calendar) See the world in... May 28 is the 148th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (149th in leap years). ... It has been designated the: International Year of Rice (by the United Nations) International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO) 2004 World Health Day topic was Road Safety (by World Health Organization) Year of the Monkey (by the Chinese calendar) See the world in... Jeffrey Nape is the parliament speaker and former acting governor-general of Papua New Guinea. ...

Bill Skate was knighted in January 2005 for services to parliament, becoming Sir William Skate. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

He died in hospital on 3 January 2006, in Brisbane, Australia, where he had been airlifted after suffering a stroke in late December 2005. He was buried in Port Moresby. He was the first Papua New Guinea Prime Minister to die. January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the state of Queensland, Australia. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Port Moresby town Port Moresby, (9°30′ S 147°12′ E), population 193,242 (1990), is the capital of Papua New Guinea. ...

See also: List of national leaders. This is a List of national leaders, showing heads of state and heads of government where different, mainly in parliamentary systems; it should be noted that often a leader is both in presidential systems or dictatorships. ...