The decision by National Alliance (NA) Party to leave the coalition government was expected, says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
“That is not unexpected, their mind and soul were already out of government, now the body is following,” O’Neill told Loop PNG.
He was responding to questions from this newsroom about the decision reached by NA Party’s executives and parliamentary wing to leave the O’Neill –Dion Coalition Government.
The decision was announced by the National Alliance Party Caucus in Port Moresby today.
Sidelined Treasury Minister and NA parliamentary leader Patrick Pruaitch said, “The decision to sideline myself is in fact, the prime minister saying to National Alliance, it’s time to break marriage and move on.
“It is an opportunity for National Alliance to go to the polls and seek mandate from our people, and that is what National Alliance is good at.
“We will try to win more seats to form the next alternative government for Papua New Guinea.”
Meanwhile, NA Party president Walter Schnaubelt said, “We the National Alliance party accept the prime minister’s decision to sideline the National Alliance parliamentary leader and the decision as also now sidelined the National Alliance Party from the PNC led government.”
Pruaitch was removed from the Treasury Ministry portfolio last week.
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