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
edit| 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
editReferences
edit- ^ "Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea". www.wipo.int. WIPO Lex.
- ^ a b "Michael Somare | PNG Speaks". pngspeaks.com.
- ^ Griffin, Helga M. "Sir Tei Abal (1932–1994)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Turner, Ann (1994). Historical dictionary of Papua New Guinea. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810828742.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Political Parties in Papua New Guinea - Tok Pisin English Dictionary". 6 October 2015.
- ^ "Who's who in Asian and Australasian Politics". Bowker-Saur. 1991.
- ^ JACKSON, KEITH. "Bernard Narokobi, constitutional architect". PNG Attitude.
- ^ "Michael Somare | World Leaders Forum". worldleaders.columbia.edu.
- ^ "PNG Opposition leader not recognised in Parliament". ABC News. 27 May 2004.
- ^ "PNG's Sir William Skate expelled by his party". RNZ. 3 February 2005.
- ^ May, R. J. (9 August 2022). "State and Society in Papua New Guinea, 2001–2021". ANU Press.
- ^ a b c "Namah served as minister, opposition leader since 2007 – The National". www.thenational.com.pg.
- ^ "Dame Carol Kidu". Pacific Women in Politics.
- ^ "Namah still opposition leader, says Speaker". Post Courier. 3 September 2020.