People's Progress Party
Encyclopedia
The People's Progress Party is a political party in Papua New Guinea
. It is led by Sir Julius Chan
, and has 4 of 109 seats in parliament.
It was founded in 1968 by Chan, who was Prime Minister
from 1980 to 1982 and 1994 to 1997. Chan’s second government was brought down by the Sandline Affair
and the party suffered in the elections that year. Chan and acting Prime Minister John Giheno
lost their seats, and Michael Nali
became the party’s leader in Parliament.
When Chan was not serving as prime minister, the party was often a junior partner in a coalition with the Pangu Party
. At the 2002 elections, the party won 8 seats, becoming the third largest party. At the 2007 election the party lost half of its seats. However, the party’s original leader, Julius Chan, returned to Parliament, and took over the party’s leadership. Chan ran as the opposition candidate for Prime Minister, but received the support of only 21 of the 109 members of parliament.
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...
. It is led by Sir 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...
, and has 4 of 109 seats in parliament.
It was founded in 1968 by Chan, who was 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...
from 1980 to 1982 and 1994 to 1997. Chan’s second government was brought down by the Sandline Affair
Sandline affair
The Sandline affair was a political scandal that became one of the defining moments in the history of Papua New Guinea, and particularly that of the conflict in Bougainville. It brought down the government of Sir Julius Chan, and took Papua New Guinea to the verge of military revolt...
and the party suffered in the elections that year. Chan and acting Prime Minister John Giheno
John Giheno
John Giheno is a Papua New Guinea politician and former government minister. Giheno served as acting Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from March 27, 1997, until June 2, 1997, following the resignation of then Prime Minister Julius Chan....
lost their seats, and Michael Nali
Michael Nali
Michael Nali CBE is a Papua New Guinean politician. He was the leader of the People's Progress Party from 2002 to 2007 and was Member of Parliament for the electorate of Mendi Open, in Southern Highlands Province, from 1992 until 2007. During this period he held various ministerial positions,...
became the party’s leader in Parliament.
When Chan was not serving as prime minister, the party was often a junior partner in a coalition with the Pangu Party
Pangu Party
The Pangu Party or Papua and Niugini Union Pati is a political party in Papua New Guinea.It was founded in 1968 by Michael Somare, who served as prime minister of Papua New Guinea as the leader of the Pangu Party from 1972 to 1980 and from 1982 to 1985...
. At the 2002 elections, the party won 8 seats, becoming the third largest party. At the 2007 election the party lost half of its seats. However, the party’s original leader, Julius Chan, returned to Parliament, and took over the party’s leadership. Chan ran as the opposition candidate for Prime Minister, but received the support of only 21 of the 109 members of parliament.
Current party leaders
- Sir Julius ChanJulius ChanSir 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...
- member for New Ireland Provincial - Byron Chan (son of Sir Julius) - member for Namatanai Open (New Ireland)
Former party leaders
- Michael NaliMichael NaliMichael Nali CBE is a Papua New Guinean politician. He was the leader of the People's Progress Party from 2002 to 2007 and was Member of Parliament for the electorate of Mendi Open, in Southern Highlands Province, from 1992 until 2007. During this period he held various ministerial positions,...
: led the party while Chan was out of Parliament. Held various ministerial positions including Deputy Prime Minister. Switched from his Mendi Open seat to contest the Southern Highlands Provincial electorate in the 2007 elections but did not win. - Dr Allan MaratAllan MaratAllan S. M. Marat CBE is a Papua New Guinean politician. He served as Minister for Justice and Attorney General in Prime Minister Michael Somare's Cabinet from August 2007 to May 2010. In May 2010, he publicly stated that major mining projects in the country brought little benefit to local...
: 2003-2004 Minister of Trade. Left the party and joined the Melanesian Liberal PartyMelanesian Liberal PartyThe Melanesian Liberal Party is a political party in Papua New Guinea. The party won 2 out of 109 seats in the 2007 General Elections.Following the 2007 election, it initially supported Prime Minister Michael Somare's government, as Party leader Allan Marat was appointed Attorney-General and...
. - Andrew Baing: 2004-2006) Minister of Fisheries. Dismissed from Parliament for wrong conduct.