Francis Marus

Last updated

Francis Marus (born 12 December 1969) is a Papua New Guinean politician. He has been a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea since July 2007, representing the electorate of Talasea Open. He was Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology in the government of Peter O'Neill from July 2016. He was previously the Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament from 2007 to 2012. He has variously represented the Pangu Party (2007–2012), the Papua New Guinea Party (2012–2013), the United Resources Party (2013–2014) and the People's National Congress (2014–present). [1] [2]

Contents

Early life and election to parliament

Marus was born in East Sepik, but was raised in West New Britain Province. [3] He was educated at Galai Primary School and Hoskins High School before completing adult matriculation, and was a businessman before entering politics. He subsequently undertook an executive MBA at the University of Papua New Guinea, graduating in 2014. [1]

Marus first contested the Talasea seat at the 2002 election, but was defeated by independent John Vulupundi, finishing third overall. [4] He contested the seat again for the Pangu Party at the 2007 election, defeating Vulupindi on the second attempt, and was selected as Deputy Speaker the following year. [3] [1] In June 2010, criminal William Kapris accused Marus, Tony Aimo and Patrick Pruaitch of corruption, alleging that they benefited from his crimes. Marus declared his innocence and welcomed an investigation. [5] [6] [7]

Deputy Speaker and Acting Speaker

Marus was Acting Speaker through a difficult period in 2010 and 2011 involving a series of disputes around parliamentary process. In December 2010, the Supreme Court overturned the election of Paulias Matane as Governor-General and directed Marus to recall parliament within forty days. [8] [9] Marus launched an unsuccessful Supreme Court challenge to the decision, with the court ruling his application was "incompetent, unmeritorious and an abuse of process". [10] The continued vacancy of the Governor-General at a time when the opposition was claiming the Prime Minister's position to be also vacant due to the absence of Michael Somare sparked what was referred to in some quarters as a "constitutional crisis". [11]

Marus subsequently recalled parliament for the Governor-General vote, but declared that he would not entertain any other business at a time of moves to oust the government. [12] The opposition was unable to reach Marus at his office, home or elsewhere and accused him of intentionally disappearing to prevent them giving him notice of a motion of no-confidence in the government. [13] On 14 January 2011, Michael Ogio was appointed Governor-General, thus ending one stand-off; however, issues around the survival of the government remained. [14]

In August 2011, Marus was one of the defectors from the government as Peter O'Neill ousted Somare as Prime Minister, with Speaker Nape presiding over parliament. [15] In December 2011, with O'Neill and Somare still disputing who was validly Prime Minister, Nape became Acting Governor-General and Marus once again became Acting Speaker. [16] In January 2012, he referred Somare to police over an incident where Somare and colleagues had entered parliament to physically present Marus with a court order reinstating Somare to office. [17]

In May 2012, he made international news when he reportedly "stunned MPs" by ruling that, following the Supreme Court decision, that Somare had been the validly elected Prime Minister, but could not reassume the role as he had been disqualified from parliament for missing three sittings, thereby rendering the Prime Minister position vacant. [18] [19] He initially sought to stop an immediate new vote, declaring that both Somare and O'Neill were "at the root of the political crisis", but relented in the face of a dissent motion in his position, leading to O'Neill being re-elected in a 56–0 vote. [20] In the same month, he crossed to the Papua New Guinea Party ahead of the 2012 election. [21]

Second term

Marus was re-elected at the 2012 election, defeating a challenge from former Police Commissioner Gari Baki. [22] He was nominated for Speaker by his PNG Party but was defeated by Theo Zurenouc in a vote of 88 to 17. [23] His party went into opposition, and he became Shadow Minister for Forestry, Climate Change and Environment and Conservation under Belden Namah. [24] In May 2013, he crossed from the opposition to the government, joining the United Resources Party. [25] In June 2014, he again changed parties, joining the People's National Congress. [26] He was promoted to Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology in July 2016. [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Papua New Guinea</span>

The politics of Papua New Guinea takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic multi-party system, whereby the prime minister is the head of government. Papua New Guinea is an independent Commonwealth realm, with the monarch serving as head of state and a governor-general, nominated by the National Parliament, serving as their representative. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pangu Pati</span> Papua New Guinean political party

The Pangu Pati, officially Papua na Niugini Yunion Pati, is a nationalist and developmentalist political party on the centre-left in Papua New Guinea. The party is the oldest political party in Papua New Guinea and has held all levels of government throughout its history. As of 2023, it is the largest party in the National Parliament.

Jeffery Nape was, until the 2012 election, speaker of the National Parliament and twice officially and once unofficially acting governor-general of Papua New Guinea. He was elected speaker by the members of the parliament on 28 May 2004, and then immediately became acting governor-general because that office was substantively vacant. He succeeded Bill Skate in both roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mekere Morauta</span> 7th Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Sir Mekere Morauta was a Papua New Guinean politician and economist who served as the 7th Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 1999 to 2002. Inheriting a depressed economy and a fractious legislature, he embarked on fundamental reforms of the country's economy and political system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Somare</span> Papua New Guinean politician (1936–2021)

Sir Michael Thomas Somare was a Papua New Guinean politician. Widely called the "father of the nation", he was the first Prime Minister after independence. At the time of his death, Somare was also the longest-serving prime minister, having been in office for 17 years over three separate terms: from 1975 to 1980; from 1982 to 1985; and from 2002 to 2011. His political career spanned from 1968 until his retirement in 2017. Besides serving as PM, he was minister of foreign affairs, leader of the opposition and governor of East Sepik Province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Polye</span> Papua New Guinean politician

Don Pomb Polye is a Papua New Guinean politician from Enga Province. He has been a Cabinet Minister under two Prime Ministers, and was briefly Deputy Prime Minister from July to December 2010. He has held Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Transport, Civil Aviation, Finance and Treasury portfolios.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Executive Council of Papua New Guinea</span> Executive branch of Papua New Guinea

The National Executive Council (NEC), also known as the Cabinet of Papua New Guinea functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the government system of Papua New Guinea. The Prime Minister and Ministers serve as members of the Cabinet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Marape</span> Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

James Marape is a Papua New Guinean politician who has served as the prime minister of Papua New Guinea since May 2019. He has been a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea since July 2007, representing the electorate of Tari-Pori Open in Hela Province in the New Guinea Highlands. He has held Cabinet Posts as Minister of Education (2008–2011), Minister of Finance (2012–2019), and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2023–present). Marape entered the 2022 elections under the banner of the Pangu Party and won more seats than any other party. He was therefore entitled to form the government. His new government was elected unopposed by the new parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Resources Party</span> Political party in Papua New Guinea

The United Resources Party is a political party in Papua New Guinea.

The New Generation Party is a political party in Papua New Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter O'Neill</span> Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2011 to 2019

Peter Charles Paire O'Neill is a Papua New Guinean politician who served as the seventh Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2011 to 2019. He has been a Member of Parliament for Ialibu-Pangia since 2002. He was a former cabinet minister and the leader of the People's National Congress between 2006 and 2022. He resigned his position as prime minister to avoid a vote of no confidence, and he was succeeded by James Marape. O'Neill won re-election to the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea in 2022 in the first round with a large majority, which is unusual in the country.

David Arore is a Papua New Guinean politician. He was a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea from 2007 until unseated by a court decision in 2015 and again from a 2015 by-election until 2017. He was Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology under Peter O'Neill from 2011 to 2014.

Belden Namah is a Papua New Guinean politician. Namah is a member of the National Parliament for the Papua New Guinea Party, and has represented Vanimo-Green River District since 2007. He served in the Cabinet from 2007 to 2010, and as Deputy Prime Minister from 2011 to 2012. In 2012, Namah became a member of the opposition. After retaining his seat in the 2022 election, he said that he would not rejoin the opposition.

2011–2012 Papua New Guinean constitutional crisis was a dispute between Sir Michael Somare and Peter O'Neill. Both claimed to be Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Papua New Guinean general election</span>

General elections were held in Papua New Guinea from 23 June until around 13 July 2012, after being postponed by a further week to allow for security personnel to crisscross the country, particularly the highland provinces. The elections followed controversy over incomplete electoral rolls and a constitutional crisis caused by a dispute over the office of prime minister between Michael Somare and Peter O'Neill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Abel</span> Papua New Guinea politician

Charles Abel is a politician in Papua New Guinea. He was a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea from 2007-2022, representing the electorate of Alotau Open. He competed for the regional seat (governor) in Milne Bay Province -of which Alotau is the capital- in 2022 but he lost. Charles Abel has occupied several cabinet positions. He was from 2007-2010 minister of Culture and Tourism. He was Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry in 2011-2012. In the period 2012-2017 he was Minister for National Planning. From August 2017-May 2019 he was Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer. In 2019 he was from June–November Minister for Finance and Rural Development. He is active in policy making for natural resources.

Aide Ganasi was a Papua New Guinean politician. He was a People's National Congress member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea from July 2012 to March 2013 and from September 2013 until November 2016, representing the electorate of South Fly Open.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Basil</span> Papua New Guinea politician (1969–2022)

Samuel H. Basil was a Papua New Guinean politician. He was a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea from 2007, representing the electorate of Bulolo Open, until his death in 2022. From 8 June 2019, to August 2019 Basil served as the Treasurer of Papua New Guinea.

Patrick Pruaitch, CMG is a Papua New Guinea politician who represented the Aitape-Lumi constituency in the West Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea from 2002 to 2022. He was a Cabinet Minister with few interruptions from 2002–2010 and from 2012–2017. From November 2019–November 2020, he was Minister for Foreign Affairs. From 2017–2019 and 2020-2022 he was Leader of the Opposition. He was twice – in 2019 and 2020 – alternate PM in unsuccessful attempts to unseat the government.

Job Pomat CMG is a Papua New Guinean politician. He has represented the electorate of Manus Open in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea on two separate occasions since 2007 and has been Speaker of the National Parliament since 2017.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Hon. Francis Marus, MP". National Parliament of Papua New Guinea. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  2. ↑ "Nominations By Electorate" (PDF). PNG Electoral Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  3. 1 2 "West New Britain declares 3 new members". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier , July 25, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Vulupindi beats NA's Lowa". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier , July 9, 2002.
  5. ↑ "MP sets the record straight". PNG Post Courier. 13 July 2010.
  6. ↑ "Notorious criminal accuses politicians of corruption". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 June 2010.
  7. ↑ "Treasurer denies sharing in robber's loot". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 June 2010.
  8. ↑ "Parlt recall by Jan 20 not on". PNG Post-Courier. 17 December 2010.
  9. ↑ "Marus says he's loyal to government". PNG Post Courier. 17 December 2010.
  10. ↑ "PNG Supreme Court rejects challenge, confirms Parliament must sit within 4 weeks". Radio New Zealand News International. 24 December 2010.
  11. ↑ "Constitutional crisis on Xmas Eve". PNG Post Courier. 24 December 2010.
  12. ↑ "PNG parliament recalled for GG election in January". Radio New Zealand News International. 29 September 2010.
  13. ↑ "Marus in hiding, claims Opposition". PNG Post-Courier. 13 January 2011.
  14. ↑ "Ogio is new G-G". PNG Post Courier. 17 January 2011.
  15. ↑ "O'Neill pulls off coup: O'Neill mustered 70 votes to get top job". PNG Post-Courier. 3 August 2011.
  16. ↑ "Government' suspends GG". PNG Post-Courier. 15 December 2011.
  17. ↑ "Somare to be referred". PNG Post Courier. 20 January 2012.
  18. ↑ "Papua New Guinea swaps two prime ministers for none". Agence France Presse. 29 May 2012.
  19. ↑ "Let's end it: O'Neill challenges Somare to a vote". The Australian. 30 May 2012.
  20. ↑ "O'Neill named PNG prime minister, again". Australian Associated Press. 30 May 2012.
  21. ↑ "PNG Party meet in Lae". PNG Post Courier. 8 May 2012.
  22. ↑ "Losing candidates take up arms". PNG Post-Courier. 25 July 2012.
  23. ↑ "Legal challenge to PNG parliament fails". Australian Associated Press. 3 August 2012.
  24. ↑ "Shadow ministers". PNG Post Courier. 22 August 2012.
  25. ↑ "Opposition defections not good for PNG". PNG Post Courier. 17 May 2013.
  26. ↑ "Four more MPs join O'Neill's party". PNG Post-Courier. 25 June 2014.
  27. ↑ "PNG Cabinet resuffle finalised". PACNEWS. 26 July 2016.
National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
Preceded by Member for Talasea Open
2007–present		Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.