COALITION partner THE Party has been sacked from the O’Neill Government, close to six months after its leader and Kandep MP Don Polye was decommissioned as the treasurer by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
Its booting appears to be the finale in a long drawn out battle between the PM and his former minister, who continued to attack the Government and some of its major policy initiatives even while seated in the Government ranks in the National Parliament. Mr O’Neill wrote to the Kandep MP and the Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party (THE Party) to advise that his party was no longer part of the Government according to a statement from the office of the Prime Minister last night. "We thank the members of THE Party for their support over the past two years. But we need to maintain a cohesive government and the action of THE leaders has not been in the bests interests of the nation. The Government differs with the views of THE Party and it is appropriate that we part ways," said the PM. This decision is in the best interest of the Government and country, Mr O’Neill added while thanking the party for contributing to the formulation of government policies including the leadership role that Mr Polye played in putting together the 2013 and 2014 budgets. The letter was sent last Friday following consultation with other coalition partners and MPs. Attempts by the Post-Courier to contact Mr Polye last night for his comments were unsuccessful. But the sacking of his party could affect the position of the Tambul-Nebilyer MP Benjamin Poponawa, who is currently the Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations and Wera Mori, the Vice Minister for Mining. The Leader of Government Business, Finance Minister James Marape, has been advised of the decision and will reorganise seating arrangements in parliament to reflect the change stated the statement from the Office of the PM. Mr Polye is likely to be seated in the Opposition bench with his member MPs Mark Maipakai (Kikori), Philip Undialu (Koroba-Lake Kopiago), Julie Soso (Eastern Highlands Regional), Mr Mori and Mr Poponawa. PNG Facts/ Post Courier Comments are closed.
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