Thomas Laken
| Thomas Laken MP | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Planning and Climate Change Adaptation | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 23 March 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Moana Carcasses Kalosil |
| Preceded by | position created |
| Minister of Justice and Social Welfare | |
| In office November 2012 – 20 March 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Sato Kilman |
| Preceded by | Ralph Regenvanu |
| Succeeded by | Maki Simelum |
| MP for Tanna | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 30 October 2012 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Independent (2012-2013) Green Confederation (2013-) |
Thomas Laken, born 3 March 1972,[1] is a Vanuatuan politician.
Self-employed in the shipping service, he later worked as a primary school teacher.[1] He was first elected to the Parliament of Vanuatu as Independent MP for Tanna, in the 2012 general election.[1] Prime Minister Sato Kilman appointed him as Minister of Justice and Social Welfare. In February 2013, Laken joined the Green Confederation.[2] On 20 March, Thomas Laken and Minister for Ni-Vanuatu Business Marcellino Pipite crossed the floor to join the Opposition, along with six government backbenchers.[3] Lacking a majority with which to govern, Kilman resigned the following day, before a motion of no confidence could be brought against him.[4] New Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil (of the Green Confederation, the country's first Green Prime Minister) appointed him as Minister for Planning and Climate Change Adaptation.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bio sheet, Parliament of Vanuatu
- ↑ Vanuatu daily news digest | 18 February 2013
- ↑ "Opposition 28, Government 21", Vanuatu Daily Post, 21 March 2013
- ↑ "Vanuatu Prime Minister, facing no confidence vote, resigns", Radio New Zealand International, 21 March 2013
- ↑ "Nation's interest first: Carcasses”, Vanuatu Daily Post, 26 March 2013