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

[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (December 2023)

|

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

[edit]

* Politics of Papua New Guinea
* Parliament of Papua New Guinea
* Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

## References

[edit]

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.

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