The Honourable Peter O'Neill CMG |
|
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Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea | |
Assumed office 4 August 2012 |
|
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Governor General |
Michael Ogio Bob Dadae (Designate) |
Deputy | Leo Dion |
Preceded by | Sam Abal (Acting) |
Minister for Finance | |
In office 27 February 2012 – 6 August 2012 |
|
Preceded by | Don Polye |
Succeeded by | James Marape |
Personal details | |
Born |
Peter Charles Paire O'Neill 13 February 1965 Ialibu-Pangia, Papua New Guinea |
Political party | People's National Congress Party |
Spouse(s) | Lynda May Babao |
Alma mater | University of Papua New Guinea |
Peter Charles Paire O'Neill, CMG (born 13 February 1965) is the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. He is the leader of the People's National Congress and represents the constituency of Ialibu-Pangia. He was sworn in on 4 August 2012 as the ninth Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.
O'Neill's father, Brian O'Neill, was an Australian-born magistrate of partial Irish descent. His mother, Awambo Yari, a Papua New Guinean, came from the Southern Highlands. His father moved to Papua New Guinea in 1949 as an Australian government field officer, known in Tok Pisin as a kiap, later serving as a magistrate in Goroka until his death in 1982.
O'Neill was educated at the Pangia Primary School, Ialibu High School and Goroka High School. After leaving school he was educated at the University of Papua New Guinea, graduating with a Bachelor of Accountancy and Commerce in 1986.
O'Neill was a businessman before entering politics. As of 2011[update] he lives in Port Moresby with his wife, Lynda Babao, and has five children: two daughters (Loris and Joanne O'Neill) and three sons (Travis, Brian and Patrick O'Neill). Both Brian and Patrick O'Neill are resident in Papua New Guinea, whereas Travis is attending boarding school in Australia. Loris and Joanne are both attending university in Queensland, Australia.
O'Neill was elected to the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea in 2002 and became a minister in the same year.
He became the leader of Papua New Guinea's opposition in 2004. He joined the government of Prime Minister Michael Somare in 2007, serving as treasurer.