Mekere Morauta
Encyclopedia
Sir Mekere Morauta, KCMG
(born 12 June 1946) is a Papua New Guinea
n political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
between 1999 and 2002, and later as Leader of the Opposition. He is the sitting member for Moresby North-West
in the national parliament
, and he was until recently the Chairman of the National Capital District Commission. Since August 2011, he has been serving as Minister for Public Enterprises under Prime Minister Peter O'Neill
.
Sir Mekere was born in 1946 in Kukipi, a coastal village east of Kerema in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea. Educated at local primary schools and at Kerema High and Sogeri National High, he went on to study at the University of Papua New Guinea
, where he obtained a Bachelor of Economics in 1970, and as an exchange student at Flinders University
in South Australia
.
After graduating from university he worked as an economist in both the public and private sectors. In 1975 he was the first Papua New Guinean to be appointed Secretary of the Department of Finance, a position which he held until 1982. Other positions he has held include Managing Director of the government's commercial bank, the Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation (1983–1992), and Governor of the Reserve Bank of Papua New Guinea (1992–1996). He entered the national parliament in July 1997 as the member for Moresby North-West.
In 1990, Morauta was knighted as Knight Bachelor
. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.
Sir Mekere was a member of the so-called "Gang of Four", a group of influential young civil service chiefs who played a leading role in holding together public administration and public policy in the formative decade or so after Papua New Guinea's independence in 1975. The other members of the group were Charles Lepani, Sir Rabbie Namaliu
and Sir Anthony Siaguru. Namaliu also later went on to become Prime Minister.
Morauta was re-elected to parliament in the 2007 general election
. He backed Julius Chan
for the position of Prime Minister after the election, but Michael Somare
was re-elected as Prime Minister in parliament on 13 August, and Morauta became Opposition Leader a few days later.
In August 2011, Peter O'Neill
became Prime Minister in the wake of a parliamentary motion of no confidence
in the government of Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal
(standing in for Somare while the latter was hospitalised for a heart condition). O'Neill appointed Sir Mekere as his Minister for Public Enterprises.
During his time as prime minister, Morauta was leader of the People's Democratic Movement
. However, after Somare became prime minister in 2002, the PDM experienced internal disputes. The original party leader, Paias Wingti
(another former prime minister) became party leader, and Morauta formed his own party, the Papua New Guinea Party
, which won 8 seats at the 2007 elections. The Papua New Guinea Party is currently the second largest party in Parliament, behind Somare's National Alliance
.
Sir Mekere is married to Lady Roslyn Morauta, and has two sons from a previous marriage.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
(born 12 June 1946) 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...
n political figure. He served as the sixth Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
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...
between 1999 and 2002, and later as Leader of the Opposition. He is the sitting member for Moresby North-West
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
in the national parliament
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....
, and he was until recently the Chairman of the National Capital District Commission. Since August 2011, he has been serving as Minister for Public Enterprises under Prime Minister Peter O'Neill
Peter O'Neill
Peter Charles Paire O'Neill, CMG is the current Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. He is the leader of the People's National Congress and represents the constituency of Ialibu-Pangia.-Biography:...
.
Sir Mekere was born in 1946 in Kukipi, a coastal village east of Kerema in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea. Educated at local primary schools and at Kerema High and Sogeri National High, he went on to study at the University of Papua New Guinea
University of Papua New Guinea
The University of Papua New Guinea was established by ordinance of the Australian administration in 1965. This followed the Currie Commission which had enquired into higher education in Papua New Guinea...
, where he obtained a Bachelor of Economics in 1970, and as an exchange student at Flinders University
Flinders University
Flinders University, , is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1966, it was named in honour of navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in the early 19th century.The university has established a reputation as a leading research...
in South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
.
After graduating from university he worked as an economist in both the public and private sectors. In 1975 he was the first Papua New Guinean to be appointed Secretary of the Department of Finance, a position which he held until 1982. Other positions he has held include Managing Director of the government's commercial bank, the Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation (1983–1992), and Governor of the Reserve Bank of Papua New Guinea (1992–1996). He entered the national parliament in July 1997 as the member for Moresby North-West.
In 1990, Morauta was knighted as Knight Bachelor
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 2009 Birthday Honours.
Sir Mekere was a member of the so-called "Gang of Four", a group of influential young civil service chiefs who played a leading role in holding together public administration and public policy in the formative decade or so after Papua New Guinea's independence in 1975. The other members of the group were Charles Lepani, Sir Rabbie Namaliu
Rabbie Namaliu
Sir Rabbie Langanai Namaliu, GCL, CSM, KCMG is a Papua New Guinea politician. He served as the fourth Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 1988 to 1992 as leader of the Pangu Party...
and Sir Anthony Siaguru. Namaliu also later went on to become Prime Minister.
Morauta was re-elected to parliament in 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...
. He backed Julius Chan
Julius Chan
Sir Julius Chan GCL GCMG KBE was Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 1980 to 1982 and from 1994 to 1997. He is currently Member of Parliament for New Ireland Province, having won the seat in the 2007 national election...
for the position of Prime Minister after the election, but 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...
was re-elected as Prime Minister in parliament on 13 August, and Morauta became Opposition Leader a few days later.
In August 2011, Peter O'Neill
Peter O'Neill
Peter Charles Paire O'Neill, CMG is the current Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. He is the leader of the People's National Congress and represents the constituency of Ialibu-Pangia.-Biography:...
became Prime Minister in the wake of a parliamentary motion of no confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
in the government of Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal
Sam Abal
Samuel Tei "Sam" Abal is a Papua New Guinean politician. Abal, who previously served as Foreign Minister from August 2007 to December 2010, became the Deputy Prime Minister of the country in a cabinet reshuffle by Michael Somare on 7 December 2010...
(standing in for Somare while the latter was hospitalised for a heart condition). O'Neill appointed Sir Mekere as his Minister for Public Enterprises.
During his time as prime minister, Morauta was leader of the 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...
. However, after Somare became prime minister in 2002, the PDM experienced internal disputes. The original party leader, Paias Wingti
Paias Wingti
Paias Wingti is a Papua New Guinean political figure. He served as the third Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea between 1985 and 1988, and again from 1992 to 1994.Wingti is a member of the Jika Tribe of the Western Highlands province...
(another former prime minister) became party leader, and Morauta formed his own party, the Papua New Guinea Party
Papua New Guinea Party
The Papua New Guinea Party is a political party in Papua New Guinea. It was founded in 2007 by former prime minister and leader of the People's Democratic Movement, Mekere Morauta The party won 8 out of 109 seats in the 2007 General Elections With this result the party became the largest opposition...
, which won 8 seats at the 2007 elections. The Papua New Guinea Party is currently the second largest party in Parliament, behind Somare's 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...
.
Sir Mekere is married to Lady Roslyn Morauta, and has two sons from a previous marriage.