James Marabe

James Marabe is a Papua New Guinea politician. He has been a National Alliance member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea since July 2007, representing the electorate of Tari Open.

Marabe first contested the Tari seat at the 2002 election on behalf of the People's Progress Party, when voting in Southern Highlands Province was cancelled due to widespread violence. [Bunpalau, Wesley. "PPP names 78 for poll". "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier", March 28, 2002.] [Rheeney, Alex. "SHP candidates urged to await new elections". "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier", August 12, 2002.] He again contested the supplementary election in 2003, but lost to incumbent MP Tom Tomiape in a contest marred by the bashing of a polling official by his supporters. ["Tomiape wins Tari-Pori seat". "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier", May 5, 2003.] ["Death threat and bashing for election official". "New Zealand Herald", May 5, 2003.] He challenged the result in the Court of Disputed Returns, but both his initial petition and a subsequent appeal were rejected. ["Tari-Pori petition thrown out". "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier", October 25, 2004.] ["Court dismisses bid to re-open petition". "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier", May 3, 2007.]

He contested the seat for a second time as a National Alliance candidate at the 2007 election and defeated Tomiape. ["Election losers, supporters urged to accept defeat". "The National", August 8, 2007.] ["NA's Marabe leading in Tari Open count". "The National", July 19, 2007.] He was subsequently appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation by Prime Minister Michael Somare. ["Papua New Guinea premier names vice-ministers". "The National", August 30, 2007.]

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