Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Flag of Papua New Guinea
Emblem of Papua New Guinea
Incumbent James Marape since 30 May 2019
Style	The Honourable
Abbreviation	PM
Member of	Parliament Cabinet
Seat	Port Moresby
Appointer	Governor-General
Term length	At the Governor-General's pleasure
Precursor	Chief Minister of Papua and New Guinea
Inaugural holder	Michael Somare
Formation	16 September 1975
Deputy	Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
Salary	PGK346,037/US$ 97,201 annually (2015)
Website	https://pmnec.gov.pg/

The prime minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (Tok Pisin: Prai Minista bilong Papua Niugini) is Papua New Guinea's head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the National Parliament. The prime minister serves as the head of his party, the head of the coalition government, and the chairman of the National Executive Council.

History

The office of Prime Minister was preceded by the Chief Minister.

2011–2012 constitutional crisis

From December 2011, the office was disputed between Peter O'Neill of the People's National Congress Party and Sir Michael Somare of the National Alliance Party; the latter eventually supported O'Neill as Prime Minister on 3 August 2012, thus ending the constitutional crisis.

Department of the Prime Minister

The Department of the Prime Minister has the task of providing administrative services to the restoration exercise as well as advising the Prime Minister and other government leaders. After a July 1995 cabinet reshuffle by Julius Chan, functions of the department were expanded.

List of prime ministers of Papua New Guinea (1975–present)

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office			Political party
			Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Michael Somare (1936–2021)	16 September 1975	11 March 1980	4 years, 177 days	Pangu Pati
2		Sir Julius Chan (born 1939)	11 March 1980	2 August 1982	2 years, 144 days	People's Progress Party
(1)		Michael Somare (1936–2021)	2 August 1982	21 November 1985	3 years, 111 days	Pangu Pati
3		Paias Wingti (born 1951)	21 November 1985	4 July 1988	2 years, 226 days	People's Democratic Movement
4		Sir Rabbie Namaliu (1947–2023)	4 July 1988	17 July 1992	4 years, 13 days	Pangu Pati
(3)		Paias Wingti (born 1951)	17 July 1992	30 August 1994	2 years, 44 days	People's Democratic Movement
(2)		Sir Julius Chan (born 1939)	30 August 1994	27 March 1997	2 years, 209 days	People's Progress Party
5		John Giheno (1949–2017)	27 March 1997	2 June 1997	67 days	People's Progress Party
(2)		Sir Julius Chan (born 1939)	2 June 1997	22 July 1997	50 days	People's Progress Party
6		Bill Skate (1953–2006)	22 July 1997	14 July 1999	1 year, 357 days	People's National Congress
7		Sir Mekere Morauta (1946–2020)	14 July 1999	5 August 2002	3 years, 22 days	People's Democratic Movement
(1)		Sir Michael Somare (1936–2021)	5 August 2002	2 August 2011 Disputed from 14 December 2011 to 3 August 2012	8 years, 362 days	National Alliance Party
–		Sam Abal (born 1958)	13 December 2010	17 January 2011	35 days	National Alliance Party
			4 April 2011	2 August 2011	120 days
8		Peter O'Neill (born 1965)	2 August 2011 Disputed to 3 August 2012	29 May 2019	7 years, 300 days	People's National Congress
9		James Marape (born 1971)	30 May 2019	Incumbent	4 years, 333 days	Pangu Pati

See also

In Spanish: Primer ministro de Papúa Nueva Guinea para niños

• Monarch of Papua New Guinea
• Governor-General of Papua New Guinea