Papua New Guinea's opposition has announced a shadow cabinet.
The opposition is led by the National Alliance party's Patrick Pruaitch.
Patrick Pruaitch Photo: Loop PNG
With around 46 members in the 111-seat parliament, the opposition has far greater numerical strength than it's had for six years.
Patrick Pruaitch said they also had the depth of experience and quality of leadership to engage in robust debate to keep the Peter O'Neill-led government in check.
As Mr O'Neill's former Treasurer up until the recent election, Mr Pruaitch knows well the dire state that PNG's economy is in. He said addressing this situation was among the opposition's top priorities.
Ian Ling-Stuckey has been named shadow Treasurer, and newcomer Bryan Kramer is to handle the Public Service portfolio.
Meanwhile, the opposition's second ranked MP, Pangu Pati leader Sam Basil, is to be the shadow Planning Minister, while Timothy Masiu will look after Bougainville Affairs."
Belden Namah, the leader of the PNG Party, is to be the shadow Transport Minister, Allan Marat is Shadow Foreign Affairs & Trade Minister, while Joseph Lelang is to look after Mining as well as Petroleum & Energy portfolios.
The leader of the National Party, Kerenga Kua, is to be the shadow Attorney-General, as well as handling the Police portfolio.
Geoffrey Kama of the Triumph Heritage Empowerment party is to be shadow Lands & Physical Planning minister.
Mr Pruaitch said the opposition was duty bound to hold the O'Neill government to account, acting on its leadership mandate from voters.
"Accordingly, our first task as a cohesive team is to offer ourselves to be the alternative credible government for the service of our people. We undertake to do all things necessary to maintain solidarity, unity, and stability in our Alliance team as espoused in our Accord.
