He represented the electorate of Angoram Open in East Sepik province for the National Alliance Party from 1997 until he lost in the 2012 general elections.
He arranged the financing of equity participation by the PNG government through a loan from the International Public Investment Company (IPIC) in Abu Dhabi.
If a leader is found prima facie in breach of the leadership code, the Ombudsman must refer the case to the Public Prosecutor.
In July 2011, the prosecutor formally lodged 105 allegations of misconduct in office against Somare to the Leadership Tribunal,.
He was then cleared of eight allegations of misappropriation of money from the District Improvement Grant and found guilty on a minor issue.
[15] Somare was accused by the former Minister for Public Enterprises, Mekere Morauta[16] of squandering state funds through poor business decisions, malpractice and misappropriation of funds for personal gain,[17] including lavish homes in Australia and visits to Singapore in 2011.
The K96 million that had disappeared was subsequently found to be paid intoin an Australian bank account, owned by a “dubious investment company” Woodlawn Capital Ltd,[20] Only a part of the money is recovered and the issue is the subject of a police investigation.