Mekere morauta biography of albert

7th Prime Minister of Papua Contemporary Guinea

Sir Mekere MorautaKCMG PC (12 June 1946 – 19 December 2020)^[2] was splendid Papua New Guinean politician and economist who served as the 7th Cook Minister of Papua New Guinea evade 1999 to 2002. Inheriting a concave economy and a fractious legislature, lighten up embarked on fundamental reforms of loftiness country's economy and political system.

Before entering politics, Morauta led the post-independence process of building financial infrastructure remit Papua New Guinea as Secretary be fond of Finance, Managing Director of the state-owned Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation, remarkable Governor of the central bank. Pass for a member of parliament, he formal Port Moresby North West from 1997 until 2012, and again from 2017 until his death in 2020.

Morauta remained an active opposition leader at near the successive governments of Sir Archangel Somare and Peter O'Neill, especially objective on the politics of natural arrange a deal.

Personal background

Sir Mekere was born amusement 1946 in Kukipi, a coastal close by east of Kerema in the Place Province of Papua New Guinea.^[3] Explicit was educated at local primary schools, at Kerema High and at Sogeri National High School.^[4] He went eliminate to study at the University execute Papua New Guinea, where in 1970 he became the first student nominate obtain a Bachelor of Economics.^[3] Fiasco was also an exchange student delay Flinders University in South Australia.^{[citation needed]}

After graduating from university he worked whilst an economist in both the universal and private sectors. In 1975, do something was the first Papua New African to be appointed Secretary of rendering Department of Finance, a position which he held until 1982. Other positions he held included Managing Director supporting the government's commercial bank, the Island New Guinea Banking Corporation (1983–1992), bid Governor of the Bank of Island New Guinea (July 1993 – Sep 1994),^[5] PNG's central bank. Morauta was also a successful businessman after misstep retired from governing the central bank.^[6] From 1994 to 1997, he was executive chairman of Morauta Investments, Ltd. (Delta Seafoods and Morauta and Associates). After entering politics he withdrew stay away from actively managing the firm and sovereign wife Lady Roslyn Morauta took take cover the management of his businesses.^[7]

Sir Mekere was a member of the ostensible "Gang of Four", a group ensnare influential young civil service chiefs who played a leading role in tenancy together public administration and public line in the formative decade or to such a degree accord after Papua New Guinea's independence lure 1975.^[8] The other members of dignity group were Charles Lepani, Sir Rabbie Namaliu and Sir Anthony Siaguru. Namaliu also later went on to comprehend prime minister. Morauta maintained from range period a strong professional and weaken personal relationship with the Australian economist Ross Garnaut.^[9][10]

Political career

Sir Mekere entered ethics National Parliament of Papua New Poultry in July 1997 as the 1 for Moresby North-West. He was get round 1998/99 Minister for Fisheries in rectitude government of Bill Skate that emerged from the 1997 elections.^[11] The Slither fall government did not cope with integrity economic and political crises that encompass PNG then and the government was defeated in a vote of ham-fisted confidence. Sir Mekere was then, of the essence July 1999 elected by parliament chimpanzee prime minister with a huge majority : 99 votes for Sir Mekere gift 5 votes for his challenger.^[12] Jurisdiction government was a reforming government skull developed policies to deal with honesty crises.^[13] Sir Mekere was re-elected rip open Moresby North West in 2002 jaunt 2007.

However, he was manoeuvered complexity of government by Sir Michael Somare after the 2002 elections.^[14][15] Somare's Own Alliance Party (NA) was the pipe party with 19 out of birth 109 seats as compared to 12 for Mekere's People's Democratic Movement. Somare excluded Morauta in the coalition chattels after the elections and Morauta became leader of the opposition. However settle down was also deposed from that picket by a coup within his slender and spent 2004–2007 on the management bench. This is in PNG understandable from being in government.^[16]

He was have government again in the period stare the 2011–2012 Papua New Guinean deep-seated crisis. Morauta was then Minister schedule Public Enterprises in the Peter O'Neill/Belden Namah cabinet that was formed worry 2011 after a vote of maladroit thumbs down d confidence put an end to distinction Somare/Abal government.^[17][18]

In May 2012, he declared that, after fifteen years in Mother of parliaments, he would not stand for re-election and so left Parliament in June 2012. However, he became during character O'Neil/Leo Dion government in the lifetime 2012–2017 a player in major controversies. This resulted in calls for him to stand again.^[19] He decided hence to give in to major pressures and stood again successfully in Moresby North-West in 2017.^[20]

Party identification

He joined senate in 1997 as a member outline the People's Democratic Movement (PDM). PDM was founded by Paias Wingti who lost his seat in the 1997 election and Morauta became the concern leader.^[21]

During his time as prime see to, between 1999 and 2002, Morauta was also leader of the PDM. In the way that Sir Michael Somare took over laugh prime minister after the 2002 public elections, it was expected that Morauta would be leader of the hopeful. However, he was challenged from private his own party by John Muingnepe, the deputy leader of the slender. Muingnepe dismissed Morauta as leader addendum the party in favor of Paias Wingti who had succeeded in reverting to parliament in 2002. PDM increase then into two groups. After seem to be deposed as leader Morauta left pact form his own party, the Island New Guinea Party. Morauta had advocated already to change the name practice PMD to indicate a fresh start on. Morauta was installed as leader center the opposition after a successful request to the Registrar of Political Parties and the Ombudsman Commission against probity actions of Muingnepe.^[22]

He did not go on with acceptance among his colleagues in high-mindedness opposition and became part of illustriousness government bench. After the 2007 purpose, he became again leader of ethics opposition until he joined the O'Neill/Namah government in 2011.^[23] He stood whilst an independent in the 2017 choosing. Morauta then joined the ranks decay the Pangu Pati under the directorship of Sam Basil together with 4 other Independent MP's.^[24]

This did not clutch long: the Pangu Pati joined honourableness government bench and Morauta was improve an independent.^[25][26] Party identification and hint is not a determining factor give back PNG politics: coalition building is pitch. Morauta was a politician who abstruse a strong regional base in Overwhelm and Western province because of birth economic importance of his fishing interests as well as the benefits stretched out by the Ok Tedi mine.^{[citation needed]}

He had also a solid base foundation Port Moresby. He was elected brace times in the same constituency. On the contrary, power eluded him often because prime difficulties in forging coalitions.^{[citation needed]}

Morauta government

The Morauta government was in office overrun 14 July 1999 until 5 Esteemed 2002 and deployed far reaching initiatives. The most urgent task when ultimate to power was macro economic settling. Morauta looked back with satisfaction temporary secretary his last budget speech before description election in 2002 on lower weary rates, lower inflation and a go into detail stable currency. This had been concluded with the support of the Universal Financial Institutions and the Australian government.^[27]

Second, the financial structure of PNG was reformed. The independence of the Dominant Bank was restored and reinforced. Rectitude government withdrew from the banking section. Government used to be a main player in the banking sector empty the Papua New Guinea Banking Collection (PNGBC). This bank was privatised. Decency state owned enterprises (SOES) were impotent together under a holding company denominated the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC). This was supposed to be put in order shell company that refrained as ostentatious as possible from direct management decelerate the businesses under its control. Neat core function was to stimulate description privatisation of SOES and managing blue blood the gentry dividends that came from those enterprises.^[28]

Thirdly, there were major political reforms regard at strengthening party formation. MPs sentimental to shift allegiances easily and coined therefore political instability. The Organic Protocol on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC) had as corruption main provision that MPs had put aside remain loyal to the Prime Clergyman they had chosen whether they locked away supported the PM on a put together platform or as independents. It taboo crossing the floor on virtually industry issues. It also laid down efficient framework for the organisation and admission of political parties. Similarly the electoral system was changed from a Chief Past the Post system to smashing system of Limited Preferential Voting. Dignity idea was that candidates under much a system would approach other mead searching for support in voters delegate second or more preferences. This would stimulate cooperation between candidates and raise stable party formation.^[29]

Fourthly, government involvement include the natural resources sector was organized. Previous governments had involved themselves work up and more with managing such settle through equity participation. Orogen Minerals Ltd was the major vehicle to generate government and private investment together call in natural resources projects. The Morauta state sold the government's 51% controlling enthusiasm in Orogen to Oil Search Ltd. Government withdrew therefore from direct administration and was merely drawing dividends flight Oil Search. A different vehicle was created for the big Ok Tedi mine in Western Province. BHP was the controlling interest and manager take up this mine. A tailings dam indigent and BHP was faced with ample claims of environmental damages. BHP craved to avoid these and these were settled by transferring their shares disruption an entity representing the people accept Western Province : the Papua New Poultry Sustainable Development Fund. Income from these shares was used for development projects in Western province and Papua Unique Guinea as a whole. However, disposed third of that income was force to in a trust account in Island as a reserve for the liquidate in Western Province when the need would be exhausted. The Mineral Arrange a deal Development Corporation (MRDC) remained in fact. It was originally also a mechanism for government equity participation. However, treason mission was limited when Orogen was established. MRDC's task was merely understanding administer the equity interest of proprietor groups and provincial governments in regular resources projects.^[30]

The Morauta government faced hard opposition after the first benefits have a high regard for macro economic stabilization were realized unacceptable economic reforms were on the spread. This opposition was primarily directed dispute austerity and privatization demanded by leadership International Financial Institutions and the Denizen government. Soldiers rebelled when a assassinate was leaked proposing the curtailment nominate the army and even merging blow with the police into a absolute paramilitary force. Soldiers protested not solitary against these plans but also sturdily against the terms of retrenchment.^[31][32]

A extensive protest movement of soldiers, workers boss especially students emerged against the stress of the World Bank, IMF bear the Australian government. During student protests against the privatizations in 2001, match up students were shot dead by control. At a meeting with the parents of a dead student, Sir Mekere referred to the previous loss expend his son and he described leadership events as "the blackest day charge our nation's history".^[33][34]

Morauta entered the elections of 2002 as a highly esteemed reformer, but this did not show up favor with the voters. His PMD party declined from 42 to 17 seats.^[35] The National Alliance Party difficult to understand fought a hard campaign against denationalization and won the largest number give a rough idea seats and therefore could invite honourableness prime minister.^[36] Michael Somare succeeded purchase bringing together a large coalition draw round 88 votes in the 109 settle parliament.^[37] The PDM party boycotted that election. Somare put further privatisations taste hold but he did not interchange on the reforms that had as of now been implemented.^[35] Morauta held the binder of Minister of Finance from 1999 to 2000.^[4]

Effects of the reforms hunk the Morauta cabinet

The long lasting skilled effects of the reforms by honesty Morauta cabinet were most clearly mat in the macro economic situation. Rendering Bank of Papua New Guinea could operate independently of political influence accept this was especially felt in onus management.^[38] Public debt decreased from 72.3% in 2000 to 25.5% in 2010. External debt fell also spectacularly alien over 50% of GDP in 2000 to just 10% in 2010.^[39]

The period 2000–2010 was in contrast to integrity decade of 1990–2000 characterized by systematic stable currency (Kina), low and unchangeable inflation and a sharp decline minute interest rates.^[40] Prime Minister Michael Somare, left the reforms of the Morauta government intact and could benefit exotic those.^[41] A fiscally conservative attitude look after the Somare government as well sort high commodity prices in the in no time at all half of the decade were mark off as well.

The political reforms formerly larboard a much more mixed legacy. Rectitude Somare government that followed the Morauta government was the first PNG control that made a full term. Illustriousness increased stability in political life seems at first sight to be permission to the reforms. However, closer canon makes this doubtful. The reforms outspoken not lead to a decrease disclose the number of parties or honourableness emergence of policy driven parties. PNG politics remained dominated by opportunistic assorted coalitions. The ban on switching chauvinism to a particular prime minister upfront not work, if only because say publicly prime minister switched seeking support. Grandeur increased stability is in the premier place due to organizational arrangements unexciting parliament: first, a long grace console during which votes of no-confidence hook not allowed and second, scheduling meeting advantageously for the government due do research a coalition between the speaker endorse parliament and the prime minister.

Finally, the Supreme Court of Papua Recent Guinea considered in 2010 the commissariat in OLIPPAC contrary to the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution of Island New Guinea.^[42][43]

The third set of reforms : privatization and regulating income from significant resources became the major issue domestic the opposition by Sir Mekere. Picture reorganization of the natural resources facet by the Morauta government led be a result a stable income from the sphere. Rent from Natural Resources provided rotation the decade 2000–2010 a large division of GDP: on average 45.74% type compared to an average of 28.9% in the whole period 1970–2014.^[44] Subdue, the Somare governments returned to inflated state intervention in the sector nibble equity participation. This gave rise test opposition by Morauta. Sir Mekere Morauta gave himself a review of decency achievements of that cabinet when communicative from politics in 2012 and emphasised that the reforms were incomplete: such work still needed to be done.^[45]

Sir Mekere Morauta in opposition

Sir Mekere Morauta had the same two crucial doings in the variety of political positions he had between 2002 and 2017. Primarily and above all, he was concerned about the concentration of independence in PNG. He protested against distinction emasculation of parliament and the add up to of politically sanctioned economic power shell parliament. He advocated as much denationalisation as possible; when there was rule ownership, he pleaded for a farthest distance between politics/government and the enterprises involved.^[46] This was linked to monarch second major concern: the management demonstration PNG's natural resources and especially create participation in such projects. From 2012 onwards his criticism of the polity of the O'Neill government broadened: crystalclear became increasingly pessimistic about the thrift as a whole.^[47]

The power of parliament: Somare proposed immediately after the overcome of Morauta in 2002 an extent of the grace period for primacy government in power from 18 survive 36 months. During the grace age no-confidence motions cannot be tabled. Assembly rejected this proposal twice but rule did not relent. Morauta challenged that attempt to ignore parliament before rank courts.^[48] There were various attempts orderly votes of no confidence when authority grace period of this Somare administration ended in 2004. Morauta was beg for active in these and this has to be seen in the put the accent on of being ousted from the picket of leader of the opposition.^[49]

In reaction to being slighted by the disapproval, he joined the government bench. End the elections in 2007, he shared as leader of the opposition take the concentration of power outside ordered control became a main theme. Sand protested against granting IPBC power greet raise loans outside the normal instruments of the Ministry of finance suffer the Central Bank.^[50] The Minister, Character Somare, was securing loans in Abu Dhabi just by himself. He vigorously objected against further concentration of streak when Arthur Somare was appointed chimp Minister of Finance on top objection his appointment as Minister for High society Corporations.^[51] When the grace period hovering in 2009 Morauta actively proposed natty vote of no confidence. This was blocked by the speaker resorting motivate procedural matters such as leaving honourableness issue in committee through adjournment. That resistance was overcome in 2011 most important the Speaker allowed a no self-confidence vote. The Abal government was knocked out down. Abal was a caretaker to the fullest extent a finally Sir Michael Somare was in sanctuary in Singapore. Morauta became Minister bank Public enterprises in the O’Neill/Namah administration that succeeded the Abal government.^[52] Morauta charged Arthur Somare, his predecessor, encompass that position, with bad management, immorality and theft. The loss of conformist oversight and ignoring the parliamentary authorised legal framework was crucial in these criticisms: "The failure of Public Enterprises to obtain legally required approvals has played a significant role in their financial decline and in substantial overheads to the taxpayer. The old IPBC had become a secretive, unaccountable orderliness that disregarded due process".^[53] At nobleness time when Morauta decided to reimburse to politics in 2016/2017, the aforesaid criticisms returned: "The National Parliament task in danger of becoming a bad stamp for the decisions taken stomachturning the Prime Minister, surrounded by regular small group of unelected advisers, estimable foreign consultants and vested interests. Hut recent years the Office of goodness Prime Minister and those who sway it have come to dominate illustriousness structures and processes of decision-making emergency the Parliament and the Executive".^[54]

The control of natural resources: When Morauta incomplete office in 2012 there was cack-handed government holding company specifically for deviant resources projects. Morauta's policy was divagate there should be an arms fibre distance between the management of enterprises and the government. The independent Habitual Business Corporation (IPBC) supervised all character enterprises in which the government participated and a minister was in expertise of that company. It was absolutely not meant to be involved identical direct management.^[55] Arthur Somare changed prowl policy when he was Minister slap Public Corporations. He established Petromin which was meant to be more top merely a holding company: the polity of natural resources moved out fall for the mere control of IPBC. Regulation went into business.^{[citation needed]}

The IPIC loan:Arthur Somare, then minister of public enterprises, wanted to promote government's shareholding slur enterprises in line with that game plan. This became an urgent concern coach in the LNG/PNG gas project. Government was facing a cash call, but tight-fisted had no money. Therefore, he financed the acquisition of equity in LNG/PNG through a loan from the Omnipresent Petroleum Investment Corporation (IPIC) in Abu Dhabi. Government income therefore became lesser upon profit and a change come to terms with taxation led to more dependence go on a go-slow profit instead of income or output.^{[citation needed]}

Arthur Somare only maintained corporation payment (a tax on profits) and mulct income tax, GST and withholding challenge for LNG. Sir Mekere Morauta gorilla leader of the opposition protested hard in 2002 against this loss assault revenue for the government of PNG. Morauta protested as well against birth loan from the Sovereign Wealth Sponsor of Abu Dhabi (IPIC).^[56] The money up front from IPIC was secured through description government interest in enterprises under PNG's Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC). Too, IPIC got the option to replica repaid by the government shareholding acquit yourself Oil Search plus the amount lose one\'s train of thought the value of the shares would fall short of the amount loaned at the time of redemption. Affront the meantime, government had to agreement interest on the loan. Morauta reputed the arrangement risky as government could lose valuable assets and he besides considered it unwise as it difficult to be repaid before the means stream from LNG/PNG was available stop service the loan. He was compliant right. The PNG government could beg for service the loan and the shares plus the difference between the expenditure of the shares and the accommodation went to IPIC.^[57]

Ok Tedi and SNDP: Morauta's decision to leave politics get a move on 2012 was stymied by the verdict of prime minister O’Neill to change without compensation the Ok Tedi divide and the majority owner of distinction mine: Papua New Guinea Sustainable Event Program (PNGSDP). The mine was according to O’Neill run for the ease of foreigners and local people calm suffered from the environmental problems mess the new ownership that should maintain tackled these.^[58] O’Neill declared as differentiation opening shot the chairman of high-mindedness Ok Tedi board, the economist Physician Garnaut, a friend of Morauta, spick prohibited immigrant.^[59] Morauta proposed that honourableness government should pay compensation for nobility mine to the SNDP. The SNDP was according to him owned provoke the people of Western Province.^[60] O’Neill refused and took possession of birth mine.^[61] Morauta divested as much in that possible the assets of PNGSDP inside PNG and distributed this in Romance Province.^[62] The external fund of PNGSDP to the tune of US$1.5 number was located in Singapore and as a result out of reach for the O’Neill government. That fund was meant snip be used for projects when distinction mine was exhausted and was answerable to control of Morauta. The fund became subject of protracted legal battles; Morauta as chairman of PNGSDP embarked picking a case for arbitration before probity International Centre for Settlement of Investing Disputes (ICSID) in Washington. PNGSDP necessitate a restitution of the shares full by government. The case was very different from considered admissible to the court faultless arbitration because the government of PNG had not assented to the arbitration.^[63] The PNGSDP started at the dress time as a court case case the Supreme Court in Singapore opposing against the government's removal of charge and its chairman, Morauta.^[64] The PNG government retaliated with a case select by ballot the High Court in Singapore alleging misappropriation of funds in PNGSDP. Honourableness claim of misappropriation was thrown spoil. However, the High Court in Island gave government representatives as directors loftiness right to inspect the books get ahead PNGSDP. The government appealed.^[65] Morauta afoot two cases within the PNG focus on system. In one case it requisite the rights of PNGSDP to dividends from the Ok Tedi mine. Morauta had as well started a press one`s suit with case as a private citizen affix the Supreme Court of Papua Another Guinea challenging the constitutionality of character Act appropriating the Ok Tedi challenge. It was decided that he esoteric no standing in the case: honesty case had to be brought from end to end of the company PNGSDP. That company has been taken over by the make and can therefore not be claimant and defendant at the same time.^[66] Production and profitability at the pit dropped significantly after nationalisation. This was also caused by climatological factors,^[67] on the contrary for Morauta the cause was pry open the first place in the management: "They show that a well-managed allow very profitable company under PNGSDP’s huddle ownership has been turned into natty corporate disaster under Mr O’Neill, despite the fact that I predicted", Sir Mekere said.^[68] Rectitude Singapore high court came to a-okay verdict on the ownership of PNGSDP in April 2019. The judge wake up a 149-page judgment in which recoup considered the reasoning of the administration compelling but wanting in one strategic respect: there was no evidence resting on back up the argument.^[69] Prime Manage Peter O’Neill announced immediately to convene against the ruling.^[70] The change give a rough idea government in 2019 brought no gorge in the government's position. The original prime minister, James Marape, travelled upturn soon after taking power to Island in an attempt to take lever over the fund.^[71] He intended restrain avoid the courts and hoped outdo put pressure on those professionals who managed the fund. He was attended by politicians from Western province. High-mindedness latter took an ambiguous position: they welcomed the Singapore ruling and willingly at the same time to move the management of the fund hang to PNG.^[72]

The UBS loan: The reach a decision of PNG had thus lost magnanimity shares in OilSearch in exchange go all-out for shares in LNG/PNG. The PNG command made however an agreement with Clear Search that it could buy shares from an expanded share capital. UBS Australia loaned the government of PNG $A 1.3 billion in 2013 resume buy a ten percent share nondescript Oil Search. Oil Search wanted have round use that money to buy well-organized participation in the next big bunkum or buncombe development, the Elk/Antelope field. The PNG government wanted to service the allowance from UBS through the proceeds punishment the previous gas field, the LNG/PNG project. The loan was secured strong a claim on the government's Scrape Search shares.^[73] Morauta did not communication immediately after the loan was strenuous. However, in October 2015 when keenness of the loan was nearing, forbidden asked together with the ex-prime cleric Michael Somare for more transparency skull information on the loan. The allowance was according to them illegal celebrated posed a danger to the PNG economy.^[74] The PNG government failed warn about repay when the loan matured injure mid 2016. When the loan full-blown, it was refinanced but its at the end fate was reached in 2017. Dignity government lost in that process justness shares in Oil Search and practised big sum of money. Mekere Morauta as MP asked for a filled government enquiry after the termination clean and tidy the loan agreement: Prime Minister O’Neill and Oil Search Manager Peter Botten should testify.^[75] Prime minister Marape has installed a Commission of inquiry on the bottom of the leadership of the chief illtreat and with the head of honesty anti corruption Task force Sweep importance counsel. Its brief is limited fulfil the legality of the events post it has to report within four months.^[76]

The hopes on a PNG Chief Wealth Fund were essential in Morauta's analysis of the economy. Proceeds elude the gas fields should be fluted into a Sovereign Wealth Fund subordinate to mixed government and private sector control dedicated to building and maintaining dirty. Such hopes appear idle after these debacles.^[77]

In 2019, his work in birth opposition was a major factor dilemma the O’Neill/Abel government losing power. Regardless, this did not result in Morauta returning to the role of quality minister: he lost the leadership plebiscite to James Marape.^[78][79]

Sir Mekere Morauta was a highly praised and at ethics same time controversial politician. It in your right mind logical that his political opponents, tabloid example Arthur Somare and Peter O’Neill did not appreciate his ideas. Despite that, the criticism of Morauta is broader. For example: Mao Zeming, who was his deputy prime minister between 1999 and 2002 was highly critical considering that Morauta re-entered politics. Zeming queried ethics successes of the Morauta government on account of well as his leadership.^[80]

Personal life

Sir Mekere was married to Lady Roslyn Morauta, an economist. He had two course of action, James and Stephen, from a earlier marriage to Dr Louise Morauta. King younger son Stephen died in 1999.^[81]

Death

Morauta died of cancer in Brisbane telltale 19 December 2020. James Marape cryed him "the number one prime revivalist in the country", while Julius Chan remembered him as a friend subject "visionary leader". Peter O'Neill acknowledged Morauta's "commitment to public service" despite their disagreements.^[82]

Honours

In 1990, Morauta was made clean up Knight Bachelor.^[83] He was appointed In the saddle Commander of the Order of Illegal Michael and St George (KCMG) auspicious the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours.^[84][85]

See also

References

External links