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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]
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 |