Electorate
Rabaul Open

Party
Melanesian Liberal Party (MLP)

Current: Declared as Member for Rabaul Open on the 02/04/23 following court ordered recount of 2022 General Elections. Sworn in on the 23/05/23, Party Leader of the Melanesian Liberal Party (MLP), 5th Term in this Parliament.

Past: First elected in to the 7th National Parliament in the 2002 General Elections for the Rabaul Open seat. Elected Leader of People's Progress Party on the 19/7/2002. Following the election of Sir Michael Somare as prime minister on the 5/8/2002, appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Justice, Police and Trade and Industry in the caretaker cabinet, then Minister for Trade and Industry. Ousted by Andrew Baing as leader of People's Progress Party on the 1/10/2003, then as Deputy Minister, and decommissioned as a state minister on the 12/11/2003. Founding member and first Parliamentary Leader of Melanesian Liberal Party in May 2007 before the general elections. Re-elected to the 8th National Parliament in the 2007 General Elections for the same seat as a Melanesian Liberal Party candidate. Appointment as Minister for Justice and Attorney-General in the Somare-Temu cabinet on the 29/8/2007 till resignation from cabinet on 6/5/2010. Appointed Minister for Justice and Attorney General on the 5/8/2011 in the O'neill-Namah cabinet. Re-elected to the 9th National Parliament in the 2012 General Elections for the same seat as a Melanesian Liberal Party candidate. Appointed Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs & Immigration, Trade & APEC, Boarder Security under the Pruaitch led Opposition Branch in August 2017-September 2019. Appointed Chairman to the Constitutional Laws, Acts & Subordinate Parliamentary Committee in 2019. Re-elected to the 10th National Parliament in the 2017 General Elections for the Rabaul Open seat as a Melanesian Liberal Party Candidate. Founder and Party leader of the Melanesian Liberal Party Inc. A member of the Law & Order, Economic Affairs, Legislation and Standing Orders Permanent Parliamentary Committees. Appointed Deputy Opposition Leader on 11/09/19, 4th term in this Parliament.

Religion: Christianity- United Church of PNG
Primary Education: Completed primary education from Tavui Primary School, East New Britain (1960-1966)
Secondary Education: Completed Forms 1-4, the Kerevat High School (1967 -1970), then Forms 5-6, Sogeri Senior High School (1971-1972)
Tertiary Education: Completed University of Papua New Guinea (1973-1976), University of Auckland, NZ (1989-1981), Oxford University (1984-1988)

Achievements: Obtained a LL.B Degree from the University of Papua New Guinea, Papua New Guinea (1973-1976) Earned a Masters of Law degree with First Class Honours (LL.M) Auckland University, New Zealand (1980-1981). Earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Law degree (D.Phil.) at the Oxford University, England, United Kingdom (1984-1988)
Last Occupation Prior to Elections: Private Legal Practice- Marat Lawyers for 13 Years

Parliament Office
C/-National Parliament, PO Parliament House, WAIGNAI, NCD 131, Papua New Guinea

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