Government and Politics of Papua New Guinea

Government Type

constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy

Administrative Divisions

20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain

Legal System

based on English common law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Papua New Guinea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor General Sir Bob DADAE (since 28 February 2017) head of government: Prime Minister James MARAPE (since 30 May 2019); Deputy Prime Minister John ROSSO (since 2023) cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the National Executive Council; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is typically appointed prime minister by the governor general

Legislative Branch

unicameral National Parliament — sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly (118 seats; 89 members elected from open electorates and 22 from provincial electorates, plus 1 from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and 6 from regional electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4–22 July 2022 (next to be held in 2027) election results: percent of vote by party — Pangu Party 22%, People's National Congress 8%, United Resources Party 7%, National Alliance 6%, People's Movement for Change 5%, others and independents 52%; seats by party — Pangu Party 39, People's National Congress 12, United Resources Party 11, National Alliance 9, People's Movement for Change 7, others and independents 40; James Marape of the Pangu Party retained the position of Prime Minister following the election note: affiliation with political parties remains fluid, and coalition arrangements frequently shift following elections

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)

Political Parties

Christian Democratic Party [Dr. Banare BUN]; Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Sir Moi AVEL]; National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE]; National Party [Melcher PEP]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU [Chris HAIVETA]; Papua New Guinea First Party [Cecilking DORUBA]; Papua New Guinea Labor Party [Bob DANAYA]; Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP (was People's Democratic Movement or PDM) [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's Action Party or PAP [Moses MALADINA]; People's Labor Party or PLP [Ekis ROPENU]; People's National Congress or PNC [Peter O'NEILL]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Andrew BAING]; Pipol First Party [Luther WENGE]; United Party [Bire KIMASOPA]; United Resources Party or URP [Tim NEVILLE] (2005)

Head of State

King CHARLES III, represented by Governor General Sir Bob DADAE

Head of Government

Prime Minister James MARAPE

Cabinet

National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister

Elections

last held 4–22 July 2022 (next to be held in 2027)

Election Results

percent of vote by party — Pangu Party 22%, People's National Congress 8%, United Resources Party 7%, National Alliance 6%, People's Movement for Change 5%, others and independents 52%; seats by party — Pangu Party 39, People's National Congress 12, United Resources Party 11, National Alliance 9, People's Movement for Change 7, others and independents 40; James Marape of the Pangu Party retained the position of Prime Minister following the election note: affiliation with political parties remains fluid, and coalition arrangements frequently shift following elections

Constitution

16-Sep-75

Independence

16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

International Organization Participation

ACP, APEC, ARF, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. FITTS embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 321-1455 FAX: [675] 321-3423

Capital City

Port Moresby

Location

9 27 S, 147 11 E

Time Difference

UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Papua New Guinea has two time zones, including Bougainville (UTC+11)

History

named in 1873 by Captain John MORESBY (1830-1922) in honor of his father, British Admiral Sir Fairfax MORESBY (1786-1877)

U.S. EmbassyPort Moresby Douglas Street, adjacent to the Bank of Papua New Guinea Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, P.O. Box 1492, Port Moresby, NCD 121, Papua New Guinea. Telephone: 675 321-1455 After-hours duty-officer telephone: 675 7200-9439 E-mail: ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov

Military Branches

Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes Maritime Operations Element, Air Operations Element)

Service Age and Obligation

16 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription; graduation from grade 12 required