Thomas Laken Explained

Thomas Laken
Honorific-Suffix:MP
Office:Minister for Planning and Climate Change Adaptation
Primeminister:Sato Kilman
Term Start:11 June 2015
Predecessor:James Bule
Primeminister2:Moana Carcasses Kalosil
Term Start2:23 March 2013
Term End2:15 May 2014
Predecessor2:position created
Successor2:James Bule
Office3:Minister for Justice and Social Welfare
Primeminister3:Sato Kilman
Term Start3:November 2012
Term End3:20 March 2013
Predecessor3:Ralph Regenvanu
Successor3:Maki Simelum
Office4:MP for Tanna
Term Start4:30 October 2012
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. He was first elected to the Parliament of Vanuatu as Independent MP for Tanna, in the 2012 general election. 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] He lost office when Carcasses' government was ousted in a motion of no confidence on 15 May 2014, then resumed office when the new government of Joe Natuman was itself ousted in the same manner on 11 June 2015, and Sato Kilman became Prime Minister.[6]

Notes and References

  1. http://parliament.gov.vu/Members/10th%20Legislature%20Biography/Hon.%20Thomas%20Laken.html Bio sheet
  2. http://vanuatudaily.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/vanuatu-daily-news-digest-18-february-2013/ Vanuatu daily news digest | 18 February 2013
  3. http://www.dailypost.vu/content/opposition-28-government-21 "Opposition 28, Government 21"
  4. http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=74783 "Vanuatu Prime Minister, facing no confidence vote, resigns"
  5. http://www.dailypost.vu/content/nations-interest-first-carcasses "Nation's interest first: Carcasses”
  6. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-12/vanuatu-announces-new-cabinet-after-new-pm-sato-kilman-elected/6541328 "Vanuatu announces new cabinet after new prime minister Sato Kilman is elected"