PM tells MPs: Change govt in general election

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill, pictured, has told MPs trying to change the Government to do so at the next general election.
“The real mandate you have to get to run a government is with the people,” he said.
“We will go back to the people in 2022 and if anyone else has the numbers, we should be able to ensure that they are respected with the mandate given to them by the people.”
He said the National Alliance led by Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare governed for 10 years.
“They won the elections and were called to form and manage the government. Nobody objected to it,” he said.
“We have had discussions quite frankly in our own party about leadership issues and I have told the party that I don’t have to lead the party. But in their wisdom they reaffirmed my position as leader of the party.
“I have been leading this party for close to 20 years and certainly there will be a change. And the change will be done and these issues will be decided at our convention in 2021, a year before the elections in 2022.
“I urge all the young leaders who are going to aspire for leadership roles in our party, put your name up and our party caucus and convention will decide and that person will lead us to the elections in 2022.”