Marape assumes Defence portfolio amid investigation, rejects nepotism claims
Prime Minister James Marape has assumed control of the Ministry of Defence following the voluntary stepping aside of Dr Billy Joseph, heavily defending the move against intense constitutional and governance scrutiny from the Opposition.
The parliamentary session grew heated as Opposition Leader James Nomane and Deputy Opposition Leader Keith Iduhu challenged the legal basis of a minister stepping aside and raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest within the state's military leadership.
Opposition Leader James Nomane pressed the Prime Minister for clarity on the leadership vacuum within the Papua New Guinea Defence Force [PNGDF] following recent, unspecified scandals at Murray Barracks. Nomane further questioned the Prime Minister's oversight given rumored ties to the bureaucracy.
"If the Prime Minister is the current Acting Defence Force Minister… and the Secretary for the Defence Force is also related to the Prime Minister, does that not raise serious allegations of conflict of interest and a lack of governance?" Nomane asked.
Marape flatly rejected any claims of nepotism regarding Defence Secretary Hari Akipe.
"I want to put it on record, he's got no blood relation to me whatsoever," Marape said. He clarified that the Secretary secured his position through merit on an open public tender during his first term. "He had his job on merit, and merit will maintain his job or send him out of a job."
The session saw multiple points of order raised by senior opposition figures regarding parliamentary and constitutional procedures.
Dr Billy Joseph interjected early to clarify that his removal was not punitive.
"I stepped aside and the Prime Minister did not sideline me. This is something that is unprecedented," Joseph told the house.
However, Deputy Opposition Leader Keith Iduhu quickly challenged the legal validity of the arrangement under PNG law.
"There is no such thing as stepping aside at law," Iduhu stated in a point of order. "According to the Defence Act or the Constitution, there is no permission for a Minister to step aside. The Minister should resign or be terminated. Which is it? What is the legal basis?"
Former Prime Minister Peter O'Neill supported this view, arguing that a minister is sworn into the National Executive Council as a singular office and cannot have individual portfolios sliced away while remaining in Cabinet.
Marape dismissed the technical objections, arguing that a Prime Minister retains the executive authority to reallocate or absorb specific portfolios at any time. He clarified that Dr Joseph had only relinquished the Defence portfolio but remains a Minister of State overseeing his other gazetted responsibilities, including National Disaster, Fire Services, and the National Volunteer Service.
The Prime Minister confirmed that a comprehensive investigation into the recruitment process and lawlessness at Murray Barracks is nearing completion, backed by a high-ranking Brigadier General from the Australian Defence Force to ensure total impartiality.
The probe is scrutinizing the state's entire defense leadership structure including the Minister, Secretary and Commander of the Defence Force.
"This investigation started with no element of bias or preconception," Marape assured Parliament. "We allow for the investigation to run its course, and when the report is complete, those who have offended the procedures of recruitment in the PNG Defence Force will be dealt with accordingly."
The Prime Minister committed to making the full investigation report public in Parliament as early as next month to restore public credibility to the sovereign institution.