PNG speaker's move strikes sad note for Chan

7:46 pm on 1 June 2015

The founder of Papua New Guinea's People's Progress Party says there's not much the party can do about losing members to the ruling People's National Congress.

A view of the government benches in Papua New Guinea's parliament.

A view of the government benches in Papua New Guinea's parliament. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

The Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Tobias Kulang, and Finschhafen MP Theo Zurenuoc, who is the speaker of parliament are joining the PNC, led by prime minster Peter O'Neill, which now has around 60 of the 111 MPs.

The PPP, which was founded by Sir Julius Chan in 1968, now has just five MPs, although it remains part of the coalition government.

Under the Alotau Accord, through which the coalition was formed, the speaker's position was to be held by a PPP member.

Sir Julius says the government should stand by the terms of the coalition agreement.

"The only thing I can say is that I am sad that he failed to talk to me before he made the switch. On the question of the other member who moved across, well Mr Kulang is quite unpredictable.

Sir Julius Chan