Benjamin Poponawa is a Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...

 politician. He has been a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea

National Parliament of Papua New Guinea

The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea is the unicameral national legislature in Papua New Guinea. It was first created in 1964 as the House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea, but gained its current name with the granting of independence in 1975....

 since July 2007, representing the electorate of Tambul-Nebilyer Open. He was initially elected as an independent, but immediately joined the governing National Alliance

National Alliance Party (Papua New Guinea)

The National Alliance Party is a political party in Papua New Guinea. It was founded in 1995 by Bernard Narokobi, Moi Avei, Bart Philemon and Masket Iangalio, who invited Sir Michael Somare to lead them to the 1997 elections after he had been sacked as leader of the Pangu Party.National Alliance...

 upon his election.

Poponawa first contested the 2002 general election

Papua New Guinean general election, 2002

General elections were held between 15-29 June, 2002 in Papua New Guinea. Sir Michael Somare's National Alliance Party won the most seats, and he went on to become Prime Minister.-Results:...

, but was defeated by People's Democratic Movement

People's Democratic Movement

The People's Democratic Movement is a political party in Papua New Guinea.It was founded by Paias Wingti in 1985, after his faction left the Pangu Party. Wingti served as prime minister from 1985 to 1988 and from 1992 to 1994...

 candidate Mark Anis. He again contested the seat as an independent at the 2007 general election

Papua New Guinean general election, 2007

General elections were held in Papua New Guinea from 30 June 2007 to 14 July 2007.For the first time, the election did not use first past the post , but rather Limited Preferential Voting, in which voters number...

, and was successful despite having trailed for most of the count. He immediately announced his intention to join the governing National Alliance

National Alliance Party (Papua New Guinea)

The National Alliance Party is a political party in Papua New Guinea. It was founded in 1995 by Bernard Narokobi, Moi Avei, Bart Philemon and Masket Iangalio, who invited Sir Michael Somare to lead them to the 1997 elections after he had been sacked as leader of the Pangu Party.National Alliance...

. He was subsequently named as Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury and Finance by Prime Minister

Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, 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. Since 2 August 2011, the Prime Minister has been Peter O’Neill of the People's National Congress Party.-List...

 Michael Somare

Michael Somare

Sir Michael Thomas Somare, GCL, GCMG, CH, CF, KStJ, MP was Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 2002 to 2011; he had previously been Prime Minister from independence in 1975 until 1980 and again from 1982 until 1985. Somare's first two terms were as a member of the Pangu Party, but he then...

.