Leader of the Opposition (Papua New Guinea)

Leader of the Opposition is a constitutionally sanctioned office in Papua New Guinea. It originates from Westminster role for a leader of the opposition.

The Papuan constitution defines the role "for a member of the Parliament of Papua New Guinea as being the principal speaker on behalf of those members of the Parliament who are not generally committed to support the government".

It is claimed that Michael Somare became the first official leader of the opposition in 1968.

Leaders of the Opposition

NameTook officeLeft officeNotesMichael Somare19681972Matthias Toliman19721973Tei Abal19731978Iambakey Okuk1978 1980Michael SomareMarch 1980April 1980Rabbie NamaliuApril 1980January 1981Michael SomareJanuary 1981August 1982Ted Diro19821983Iambakey Okuk19831984Stephen Tago19841985Paias WingtiApril 1985November 1985Michael SomareNovember 1985June 1988Rabbie NamaliuJune 1988July 1988Paias WingtiJuly 19881991 -?Rabbie NamaliuJuly 1992July 1992Michael SomareAugust 1992March 1993Jack GeniaMarch 1993July 1993Chris HaivetaAugust 1993September 1994?September 1994August 1995Roy YakiAugust 1995July 1997Bernard NarokobiJuly 1997July 1999Bill SkateJuly 19992001Michael Somare20012002Mekere Morauta20022004Peter Yama20042004Peter O'Neill20042007Julius Chan2007August 2007Mekere MorautaAugust 20072010Belden Namah2010July 2011Carol KiduFebruary 2012 June 2012Belden NamahAugust 2012December 2014Don PolyeDecember 2014 May 2016Sam BasilMay 2016May 2016Don PolyeMay 2016August 2017Patrick PruaitchAugust 2017 September 2019Belden NamahSeptember 2019December 2020Patrick PruaitchDecember 2020August 2022Joseph LelangAugust 2022February 2024Douglas TomuriesaFebruary 2024Incumbent

See also Politics of Papua New Guinea Parliament of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

References