The remaining major party in Papua New Guinea's opposition, the National Alliance, says it's committed to sticking it out as the alternative government.
The party's president and MP for Namatanai, Walter Schnaubelt, admits the opposition was blindsided by the shock defection to government of most of the Pangu Pati this week.
Papua New Guinea's parliament. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
Pangu's leader Sam Basil said the move was partly about accessing district funds, which he described as being difficult to get for those in opposition.
Mr Schnaubelt said the National Alliance believes there was enough in the state coffers for all MPs to get their district funds.
"So we're sitting tight. But more importantly we've made a stand and we need to stick it out, And that's something we're very mindful of, and definitely Patrick Pruaitch, the leader of the opposition, is also very conscious of. We're using all the wisdom and all the experience we have to be the best opposition, and hopefully the alternative government when the time comes," said Walter Schnaubelt.
While admitting the move by Mr Basil was unexpected, Walter Schnaubelt said that PNG politics could be volatile at the best of times and that the opposition was managing the loss of most of Pangu's MPs as best as it could.
Sam Basil Photo: Facebook
He said the National Alliance was staying in communication with the Pangu Pati.
Mr Schnaubelt also added that the PNG Party and the National Party were also staying firm in the opposition.
The People's National Congress party-led coalition government now boasts around 73 MPs in the 111-seat parliament.
Pangu MP defends defection
Tewae-Siassi's Kobby Bomareo is one of 11 Pangu MPs who are following their leader Sam Basil in leaving the opposition.
He said being in government would help the Pangu MPs to better deliver services to their constituents.
Some Pangu supporters have accused the defecting MPs of selling out on their election platform of removing the People's National Congress from government.
But Mr Bomareo said after losing to PNC in the bid to form government when parliament began last month, it was time to move on.
Pangu Pati leader Sam Basil rallies his allies onto a bus. Mr Basil's party hopes to join with the National Alliance to overthrow the government of Peter O'Neill. Photo: Supplied / Peter Kinjap
According to him, Pangu MPs canvassed their voters about their move.
"They've all agreed, because the first time that we voted in for prime minister, that's when we tested with our campaign slogan of anti-PNC. But after all, people of Papua New Guinea have voted in PNC. Let us sit on the other side of the fence to see what's happening on the other side," said Kobby Bomareo.
