Transcript
After his removal as prime minister in May, Peter O'Neill and his PNC stayed on in the new government coalition led by his former close ally.
But according to one of the seven MPs who joined the government this week, a toxic dynamic was festering within the cabinet
East Sepik governor Alan Bird says the MPs moving across couldn't stay in opposition, watching the country degenerate.
"The economic conditions are falling apart and much of it I think due to a lack of confidence from the private sector. That is leading to disaffection in many parts of the country. Crime is going through the roof. So it was irresponsible for us to sit on the sidelines, fold our hands and hope the whole thing falls apart
Earlier this week, Mr Marape sacked Planning Minister Richard Maru the most senior minister from the PNC
The prime minister requested the party leave his coalition government, citing it as a 'bad influence' working against his leadership
Mr Bird says Mr O'Neill's removal was a prerequisite for the MPs moving across.
"Everybody knew PNC was constantly undermining the Marape government. They were fighting in cabinet with the Marape government. So it was degenerating. Things weren't really over the last three months, so it made sense that you had to put in a circuit breaker somehow, and I think you could say we (the seven moving across) are the circuit breaker."
With 21 MPs, including eight with ministries, the PNC is the second biggest party in the parliament, after Mr Marape's Pangu Party with around 30 MPs.
PNC member and Housing Minister Justin Tkatchenko says the party committed to Mr Marape's government for the remainder of the parliament term, and are not going anywhere.
"Now there's been a falling out between Peter O'Neill and the prime minister. And it's for them to resolve that. But at the end of the day, all the ministers came together to ensure we make sure that we have an understanding that we are going forward with the prime minister, we are totally committed and loyal to that job."
The seven moving across include former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta and the opposition's finance spokesman Ian Ling Stuckey who has now been appointed to replace Sam Basil as Treasurer.
Five of the MPs are from the main opposition party, the National Alliance, including Walter Schnaubelt, who denies that the party is split.
"Our party leader is still Patrick Pruaitch, and the party is intact. We just thought if we were going to be serious about turning the economy and getting the country into the right track, it requires tough decisions like this, and putting the interests of the country first. The party leader and the party executive was fully briefed, was fully aware of this, and gave its approval."
Both PNC and National Alliance parties insist they are staying put, but the national political scene remains fluid, and more movement across the floor of parliament may be expected in the weeks ahead.
