PM MARAPE WELCOMES FRESH VONC CHALLENGE

PRIME Minister James Marape has welcomed news of a new Motion of Vote of No Confidence (VONC) filed by the Opposition in Parliament, describing it as part of the democratic process and a reflection of Members of Parliament’s constitutional right to choose their leaders freely and without coercion.

Speaking after the Private Business Committee admitted the new Motion, Prime Minister Marape emphasized that he holds no fear or resentment towards the process and will not engage in political camps or “behind-the-scenes lobbying” as has been common in past political struggles.

The Prime Minister highlighted the multiple political and legal challenges his government has faced since assuming office on 30 May 2019, including the 2020 Political Impasse, repeated attempts to destabilize the Government, and numerous court cases.

Despite these challenges, he noted, Papua New Guinea has continued to progress under his leadership.

PM Marape was commenting on the Opposition’s nomination of former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill as their Alternate Leader saying he welcomes any challenge and will remain focus on governing and serving the people.

“I welcome any challenge. This is not the first time Mr. Peter O’Neill has challenged me, and it may not be the last. Since leaving his Government in April 2019 due to a lack of confidence in his leadership, he has pursued every possible political and legal means to unseat me. But I remain focused on governing and serving our people,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“We faced political crises in 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and now again in 2025. Yet our Government has stood firm. We delivered the highest number of MPs returned for any party since the Somare Government in 1982. We have grown our economy by over K50 billion since 2019. The record speaks for itself—in economic management, infrastructure delivery, and service expansion,” he said.

Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed his commitment to democratic principles, urging Members of Parliament to exercise freedom of choice without coercion, fear, or inducement.

The Prime Minister also assured that he will not interfere with the process, saying he will even be traveling abroad next week to allow MPs total freedom to make their choice in his absence.