Papua New Guinea prime minister James Marape.
Photo: PNG PM media
The opposition s planned motion of no confidence against Marape, signed earlier this week, was never tabled when parliament adjourned today.
Up to eighteen MPs were seen crossing back to sit on the government s side of the house, boosting the prime minister s majority to around 70 of the 111-seat parliament.
The Bulolo MP, Sam Basil, was among the high profile MPs to bounce back to government after defecting to the Belden Namah-led opposition last month.
Today in parliament Basil sat next to Marape, in a sign he was resuming the deputy prime minister s role.
Covid-19 health screening at the Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby.
Photo: PNG Department of Health
PNG records four more Covid-19 cases.
Four new cases of covid-19 have been reported in Papua new Guinea s Western Highlands province.
It brings the national tally to 725.
There have been eight deaths related to the coronavirus so far.
The four new positive cases - all males ranging in age from seven to 32 - were reported in three separate areas.
PNG Opposition picks Pruaitch as nominee for PM
Papua New Guinea s Opposition has reportedly settled on its candidate for prime minister.
PNG s national parliament is reconvening this afternoon for a highly anticipated sitting, with the Opposition pushing to remove Prime Minister James Marape.
POLICY FORUM
The Pacific’s largest country continues to be rocked by political power plays, Henry Ivarature writes.
The power tussle between Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape and Opposition Leader Belden Namah that started in parliament on 13 November is far from over. It appears to have become personal and vindictive.
Marape’s determination to hang on to power has polarised public opinion. Namah’s plans to prevent Marape from adjourning parliament to avoid a no confidence vote, and to test his leadership, are back on track. The Supreme Court ruled on 9 December that the decision to recall parliament on 17 November, including the resolutions passed, were unconstitutional.