URP joins forces with ruling party for 2017

Caption: Prime Minister O’Neill exchanging signed documents with the URP leader William Duma.

Caption:  PM making the announcement of the alliance.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 15, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

WITH the talk of movements and loyalties high on the whispering list, the first week of parliament has ended with the reconfirmation of one the major coalition partners, the United Resource Party (URP), under the leadership of current Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and Hagan Open MP, William Duma.

The signing, which occurred on Friday afternoon, signaled an agreement between both the ruling Peoples National Congress (PNC) and URP to go to the 2017 National Elections as an alliance.

In a signing conference at parliament, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill hailed the move as a move to strengthen the relationship in the coalition government.

“This alliance is to strengthen our relationship throughout the term of this government and also go to the next elections as coalition partners,” Mr O’Neill said.

“It is important that we have stability in government and stability in political relationships, that is why it is necessary for us to enter in this agreement.”

“I want to also announce that we will work together to asses all candidates that each of our parties will endorse in the 2017 elections and of course in this term of parliament we will stand together until the term ends in 2017.”

The PM highlighted that political stability is vital in the continued growth in the development of the country.

“That is why we feel that it is necessary that we do not allow discussions of instability of political structures in the country to continue to be debated unnecessarily without any given need to do so.”

“Many of you know that both the National Alliance and the People’s Progress Party have given their commitments up at the leadership summit so our coalition is very stable.”

“We are probably the only stable government in the pacific given that some of our neighbors are experiencing their own leadership issues.”

He pinned the success of government to the maturity of politics in Papua New Guinea and the policies, he said. That were put in place have been working effectively.

“I guess many of you know that since the last two terms of parliament it has enabled us to have stability where we can now experience some very strong growth in our economy and of course the success we can have in the stability of our policies,” O’Neill added.

URP leader William Duma highlighted that the signing was a commitment to the ruling party to ensure stability was maintained, and it was a sign of faith in the leadership of the PM.

“We are very happy and pleased to enter into this alliance agreement with our prime minister and his party,” he said.

“United Resources Party was a foundation member of Prime Minister O’Neill’s government in 2011 and it will remain committed and loyal to our prime minister and his party.”

“The party has always believed in providing stability in this country so that all the policies and intensions of various governments are put in place.”

He pointed out that the alliance was an unconditional agreement where no favors had been asked of and no favors were expected.

“It is based on our views and beliefs in the leadership of our Prime Minister Mr O’Neill- we want to assure him to give our commitment so he can implement the important policies he has in place without having to look over his shoulder.”

The commitments will see the current 8 members of URP intact and loyal to the government of the day.