PNG Health Minister Dr. Lino Tom Steps Down from Government, joins Opposition
Papua New Guinea Health Minister Dr. Lino Tom has officially announced his resignation from the Cabinet and the Marape-Rosso Government. Dr. Tom, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Wabag, expressed his dissatisfaction with the direction in which Prime Minister James Marape is steering the country, stating that it deviates from the path envisioned by the nation’s forefathers.
In a parallel move, Madang Open MP Brian Kramer also resigned from the Marape-Rosso Government, citing serious concerns about widespread corruption within the administration. These high-profile resignations come at a critical time, as the nation prepares for a Vote of No Confidence (VONC) against Prime Minister Marape.
Despite these significant setbacks, Prime Minister James Marape, who is also the leader of PANGU Pati, remains confident in the resilience of his coalition. Marape expressed optimism about leading an 80-member coalition government into the upcoming VONC, scheduled for Tuesday, 3rd September, when Parliament reconvenes. He noted that the return of Pomio MP Elias Kapavore to PANGU has increased the government’s numbers to 78, with ongoing efforts to secure an 80-member majority.
PANGU Pati enjoys considerable representation across Papua New Guinea, with 10 MPs from the New Guinea Islands region, 19 from the Highlands, 9 from Momase, and 10 from the Southern region. Prime Minister Marape emphasized the strategic importance of having an 80-member coalition, particularly as the government seeks to address significant constitutional matters in Parliament. He assured PANGU supporters, the general public, and the business community that despite the current political challenges, it remains "business as usual."
Addressing the upcoming VONC, Marape clarified that the government is not deliberately attempting to weaken the Opposition, which he believes is vital for maintaining a balanced and effective democracy. He welcomed the challenge, emphasizing that a robust opposition is essential for keeping the government accountable.
Marape also countered claims that his government has been obstructing the VONC process. He argued that the Opposition has struggled to gather the necessary support and has been "buying time" by making procedural errors in submitting their VONC motion. He pointed out that the Speaker of Parliament had previously granted the Opposition an opportunity to place the motion on notice during the last session of Parliament.
The Prime Minister further elaborated that the Speaker had bypassed the Private Business Committee and made a direct ruling to place the motion on notice. However, instead of defending this ruling, Opposition members chose to vacate the chamber, aware that they lacked the necessary numbers. Marape criticized the Opposition for repeatedly failing in their attempts to challenge his leadership, urging them to adhere to proper procedures in the future.
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