O’Neill is PM

 By ISAAC NICHOLAS

IALIBU-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill is the new prime minister, winning by an overwhelming 70-24 votes in a surprise election orchestrated by the opposition in parliament yesterday.

Disgruntled MPs of the National Alliance-led coalition government crossed the floor with O’Neill in what was a major political coup to dismantle the nine-year coalition of ailing Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare who had, in April, handed over the rein to Wabag MP Sam Abal.

The election yesterday saw a major split in the coalition with NA’s southern, islands and highlands blocs and partners United Re­sources, Pangu and People’s Action parties.

The only party that moved together across the floor was O’Neill’s People’s National Congress which was rewarded with the prime minister’s post. Up until yesterday, he was works minister.

Foreign Affairs Minis­ter Ano Pala, Internal Se­curity Minister Mark Mai­pakai, Tourism Minister Guma Wau, Lands Minis­ter Lucas Dekena, Provincial Affairs Minister Job Pomat and Environment Minister Benny Allan broke ranks to side with the opposition and vote in the new prime minister.

While congratulatory messages poured in, the ousted Abal maintained that there was no vacancy in the post of prime minister, adding that he would challenge the election in court (see separate story).

Legal opinion from leading lawyers also agreed there was no va­cancy but said the law was silent on whether or not parliament could declare a vacancy in circumstances such as what persists, where the incumbent prime minister has been absent from duty for three months.

When parliament ­started at 2pm, Speaker Jeffery Nape, who had been in camp with the opposition the previous night, invited Opposition leader Belden Namah who then suspended Standing Orders. 

Namah, who mustered the numbers despite interjections from the government benches, declared the office of the prime minister vacant according to the Constitution.

He then moved for parliament to proceed to elect a new prime minister.

In what was apparently an orchestrated move, Nape then called for nominations for a new prime minister.

Namah then nominated O’Neill and was seconded by Hagen MP and URP leader William Duma. 

Outspoken Bulolo MP Sam Basil moved to close nomination.

O’Neill accepted the nomination and Nape called for a vote.

He scored 70-24 votes to secure PNG’s top post.

Parliament was suspen­ded after the election and O’Neill, accompanied by Kandep MP Don Polye, Duma, Sir Mekere Morau­ta, Sir Julius Chan and other MPs, left for Government House to be sworn in.

Although there was a slight delay due to lateness of the instruments, O’Neill was eventually sworn into office by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio.

The new government then returned to parliament where the new prime mi­nister made his statement, thanking those who elected him to the top post.

O’Neill thanked Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare for his leadership over the years and stated that “circumstances beyond our control led to this si­tuation”. He also thanked Nape for the smooth proceedings of parliament.

He said that the government had enough experience in former prime ministers in Sir Julius and Sir Mekere, former deputy prime mi­nisters Dr Allan Marat, Polye, Moses Maladina and Sir Puka combining with young leaders for a trustworthy government.

“We are a government that will be fair and ac­countable to the people. A government that is responsive to their needs,” O’Neill said.

“It will be a government for the majority and not a few as in the past.”

O’Neill said a caretaker team would be announced today and a full cabinet announced by the week­end before parliament resumes next Tuesday.