Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says today’s events on the floor of Parliament have once again confirmed that the Opposition’s claims of a looming change of government are “empty, misleading, and mathematically impossible.”
Responding after a failed division called by the Opposition, Prime Minister Marape said the vote exposed the reality that the Opposition continues to operate without the numbers required to remove a government in a parliamentary democracy.
Division Vote Backfires
Prime Minister Marape said the Opposition’s decision to trigger a division under the Standing Orders was a legitimate tactic — but one that spectacularly backfired.
“The division process exists to test the strength of each side. The Opposition walked straight into a test they could not pass,” he said.
“When the bells rang and the MPs took their seats, the truth was obvious again: they do not have the numbers they keep claiming to Papua New Guinea.”
“Politics Is a Numbers Game — and They Don’t Have 59”
Prime Minister Marape said the basic arithmetic of Parliament cannot be avoided.
“To remove a government in a 118-member House, the Opposition must have 59 MPs. They have never come close,” he said.
He highlighted the Opposition’s repeated failures to demonstrate strength during previous attempts:
• Attempt 1: Opposition— 32 | Government — 75
• Attempt 2: Opposition — 16 | Government — 86
• Division Vote Today: “Again, nowhere near the 59 they need.”
Prime Minister Marape said that with such weak numbers, the Opposition’s repeated trips to court and public claims of government collapse have no credibility.
“When your numbers collapse every time you walk into the chamber, why run to the courts pretending you are on the verge of taking government?” he asked. “Mathematics is not emotional. It does not lie.”
Stability Assured: “The Government Will Not Change”
Prime Minister Marape reiterated strong assurances to students, investors, the business community, public servants, and the wider public that the Government remains stable and will not change.
“Over the last five years, I have diffused eight or nine attempted challenges to Government stability — including two formally processed by the PBC and brought to Parliament,” he
said. “Any further attempt will be diffused in the same way because our numerical strength is solid.”
He said it was increasingly clear that certain individuals were pushing instability simply to remain relevant — possibly even to raise funds for themselves or their political groups ahead of the elections.“But let me assure everyone: the Government will not change. Our work continues.”
The Prime Minister said the coming 13 months must be focused on national delivery, not political games.
“We have serious work to do — from the Government Reset agenda, to strengthening public-sector systems, to fixing the Electoral Commission for a better, safer, more efficient election in 2027,” he said.
He challenged the Opposition to explain what they believe they could achieve in just 13 months if they somehow gained office.
“We all saw what happened in 2011–2012 when Mr O’Neill took over: ten months of reckless plunder of national wealth leading into the 2012 elections. That cannot be repeated.”
Government Holds One of the Strongest Majorities in Recent History
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that his coalition remains broad, united, and overwhelmingly strong.
“We have one of the largest and most stable majorities in the country’s recent political history,” he said.
Current coalition strength includes:
• PANGU — 52
• URP — 10
• SDP — 7
• Our Party — 15
• Other partners bringing the total to well over 90 MPs
“This majority has been tested repeatedly on the floor of Parliament, and each time the mandate is reaffirmed.”
Opposition Must Offer Ideas — Not Illusions
Prime Minister Marape said the Opposition’s constitutional duty is important, but it must be performed responsibly.
“Oppositions exist to hold governments accountable and present alternative policies — not to stage stunts and file court cases they know cannot succeed,” he said.
“If they want to lead, they must win MPs through ideas, not illusions.”
“The Nation Has Work to Do — Let’s Move Forward”
The Prime Minister said the country cannot afford continued political theatrics.
“Our people face real challenges — economic growth, law and order, services, infrastructure,” he said. “Today’s vote should end the distractions. The mathematics of Parliament is clear. The mandate is clear. It is time to move on.”
He reaffirmed that the Government will remain focused on stability, reform, and national development.