People First Party
LeaderRichard Maru
PresidentJack Masenu [1]
SecretaryPeter Honale [1]
FounderLuther Wenge
FoundedAugust 2001 (2001-08)
National Parliament
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Website
peoplefirstpati.com

The People's First Party (also known as the People First Party, Pipol First Party or Pipol's First Party) is a political party in Papua New Guinea.

It was established in August 2001 by Morobe Province governor Luther Wenge.[2] Wenge was re-elected at the 2002 election and Tom Amukele elected for Okapa Open. Amukele attempted to defect to the governing National Alliance Party of Michael Somare, resulting in protests from Wenge; however, this did not occur after Wenge agreed to support Somare.[3][4][5] In September 2002, the party won a Supreme Court declaration that legislation introducing a value added tax was unconstitutional.[6] A reported merger with the United Party in October 2002 did not proceed, with the party reported to still have two MPs at that time: Wenge and Amukele.[7]

In March 2004, Wenge called for the resignation of Somare, alleging mishandling of the nation's affairs, and stated that he was willing to become Prime Minister.[8] However, the party continued to support the Somare government in parliament.[9] Wenge was the party's only MP to be elected at the 2007 election.[10] Wenge claimed, following the declaration of his seat in a close race against businessman Bob Sinclair, that he would introduce a law to restrict naturalised citizens from contesting elections because Papua New Guinea was "a black country and not white country".[11]

Wenge lost his seat at the 2012 election, and the party did not have parliamentary representation again until 2022.[12]

The party was registered to contest the 2017 election.[13]

At the 2022 election the party gained 4 seats in the 113-seat Parliament.

References

  1. 1 2 "REGISTRY OF POLITICAL PARTIES" (PDF). Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  2. ↑ "Formation of new political party announced". PNG Post Courier. 7 August 2001.
  3. ↑ "Wenge cries foul". PNG Post Courier. 26 July 2002.
  4. ↑ "Fifty-one MPs back Somare for Papua New Guinea premier". PNG Post-Courier. 2 August 2002.
  5. ↑ "Amukele passes on". PNG Post Courier. 11 January 2013.
  6. ↑ "Wenge toasts victory". PNG Post Courier. 30 September 2002.
  7. ↑ "Parties merge, new name". PNG Post Courier. 31 October 2002.
  8. ↑ ""Firebrand" PNG governor declares interest in premiership". The National. 15 March 2004.
  9. ↑ "PM confident of his numbers to govern". PNG Post Courier. 26 May 2004.
  10. ↑ "Small parties fared well in elections". PNG Post Courier. 2 August 2007.
  11. ↑ "Wenge: I will not apologise". PNG Post Courier. 6 August 2007.
  12. ↑ "Naru elected as Governor". PNG Post Courier. 30 July 2012.
  13. ↑ "Total number of parties 34: Gelu". The National. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.


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