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 Peter O’Neill, leader of the People’s National Congress Party (PNC) and Member for Ialibu-Pangia, has criticized Speaker of Parliament Job Pomat for what he describes as unjustified interference in the Opposition’s internal affairs.

O’Neill voiced his disappointment over Pomat’s decision to appoint the Opposition Leader and Deputy Opposition Leader—roles that are traditionally elected by the Opposition Caucus. He accused the Speaker of exceeding his powers, undermining democratic norms, and weakening the parliamentary system in Papua New Guinea.

PNC Leader O'Neill  Condemns PNG Parliamentary Speaker Over Opposition Appointment

“The Speaker has no mandate to choose Opposition leadership,” O’Neill stated, emphasizing that such appointments are exclusively within the Opposition Caucus’s authority. He added that, similarly, the Speaker does not have the power to appoint the Prime Minister or government ministers.

The PNC leader further claimed that the Speaker’s action was politically driven, aimed at destabilizing the Opposition’s effectiveness. He highlighted that since 2019, the PNC has been the largest opposition party and condemned the Speaker’s decision to let a single-member party assume Opposition leadership, suggesting this was a tactic to undermine parliamentary checks and balances.

O’Neill also pointed to wider governance challenges, including accusations of interference involving the Prime Minister and senior officials from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). He urged the government to focus on tackling corruption and addressing the resulting social and economic difficulties, which he said have harmed Papua New Guinea’s reputation internationally.

Referring to the 2022 national election, O’Neill described it as neither free nor fair, but noted that despite this, the PNC emerged as the country’s second-largest party. He accused the government of mounting continuous attacks against his party, with the Speaker’s recent intervention being the latest example. He questioned the government’s motives and called for it to concentrate on national priorities rather than interfering in Opposition matters.

This development has sparked renewed discussion about the health of democracy in Papua New Guinea. O’Neill urged the government to uphold Westminster parliamentary traditions and respect the Opposition’s right to select its own leadership.

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