PNG prime minister safe as dissenting MPs rejoin govt

4:29 pm on 16 December 2020
Papua New Guinea prime minister James Marape.

Papua New Guinea prime minister James Marape. Photo: PNG PM media

A motion of no confidence in Papua New Guinea's prime minister, James Marape, has been withdrawn ending weeks of political unrest in the country.

The withdrawal followed the return to government of 18 dissenting MPs including the reinstated deputy prime minister Sam Basil.

Capitalising on the renewed numerical strength the government retabled and passed its 2021 budget and adjourned parliament until April next year.

This comes after the courts ruled an earlier sitting in November, during which the budget was first passed, unconstitutional.

The remaining members of the opposition protested today's passage of the budget and citing a lack of notice and time to scrutinise its contents.