Leader of the Opposition (Papua New Guinea)

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Leader of the Opposition is a constitutionally sanctioned office in Papua New Guinea. It originates from Westminster role for a leader of the opposition.

The Constitution defines the role "for a member of the Parliament of Papua New Guinea as being the principal speaker on behalf of those members of the Parliament who are not generally committed to support the government".[1]

It is claimed that Michael Somare became the first official leader of the opposition in 1968.[2]

Leaders of the Opposition

Name Took office Left office Notes
Michael Somare 1968 1972 [2]
Matthias Toliman 1972 1973
Tei Abal 1973 1978 [3]
Iambakey Okuk 1978 1980 [4]
Michael Somare March 1980[5] August 1982 [4]
Ted Diro 1982 1983 [6]
Iambakey Okuk 1983 1984 [7]
Stephen Tago 1984 1985
Paias Wingti April 1985 November 1985 [4]
Michael Somare November 1985[5] June 1988[5] [4]
Rabbie Namaliu June 1988[5] July 1988 [4]
Paias Wingti July 1988 1991 -? [8]
Rabbie Namaliu July 1992[5] July 1992 [4]
Michael Somare August 1992[5] March 1993 [4]
Jack Genia March 1993 July 1993 [4]
Chris Haiveta August 1993 September 1994 [5]
? September 1994 August 1995
Roy Yaki August 1995 July 1997 [5]
Bernard Narokobi July 1997[5] 1999 [9]
Bill Skate 1999 2001
Michael Somare 2001 2002 [10]
Mekere Morauta 2002 2004
Peter Yama 2004 2004 [11]
Peter O'Neill 2004 2007 [12]
Julius Chan 2007 August 2007 [13]
Mekere Morauta August 2007 2010 [14]
Belden Namah 2010 July 2011 [14]
Carol Kidu February 2012 June 2012 [15]
Belden Namah August 2012 December 2014 [14]
Don Polye December 2014 May 2016
Sam Basil May 2016 May 2016
Don Polye May 2016 August 2017
Patrick Pruaitch August 2017 September 2019
Belden Namah September 2019 December 2020 [16]
Patrick Pruaitch December 2020 August 2022
Joseph Lelang August 2022 February 2024
Douglas Tomuriesa February 2024 Incumbent

See also

References

  1. ^ "Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea". www.wipo.int. WIPO Lex.
  2. ^ a b "Michael Somare | PNG Speaks". pngspeaks.com.
  3. ^ Griffin, Helga M. "Sir Tei Abal (1932–1994)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Turner, Ann (1994). Historical dictionary of Papua New Guinea. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810828742.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "PAPUA NEW GUINEA (National Parliament)". 23 September 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-09-23.
  6. ^ Premdas, Ralph R.; Steeves, Jeffrey S. (1983). "National Elections in Papua New Guinea: The Return of Pangu to Power". Asian Survey. 23 (8): 991–1006. doi:10.2307/2644268. JSTOR 2644268.
  7. ^ "Political Parties in Papua New Guinea - Tok Pisin English Dictionary". 6 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Who's who in Asian and Australasian Politics". Bowker-Saur. 1991.
  9. ^ JACKSON, KEITH. "Bernard Narokobi, constitutional architect". PNG Attitude.
  10. ^ "Michael Somare | World Leaders Forum". worldleaders.columbia.edu.
  11. ^ "PNG Opposition leader not recognised in Parliament". ABC News. 27 May 2004.
  12. ^ "PNG's Sir William Skate expelled by his party". RNZ. 3 February 2005.
  13. ^ May, R. J. (9 August 2022). "State and Society in Papua New Guinea, 2001–2021". ANU Press.
  14. ^ a b c "Namah served as minister, opposition leader since 2007 – The National". www.thenational.com.pg.
  15. ^ "Dame Carol Kidu". Pacific Women in Politics.
  16. ^ "Namah still opposition leader, says Speaker". Post Courier. 3 September 2020.