Thomas Laken

Thomas Laken, born 3 March 1972,[1] is a Vanuatuan politician.

Thomas Laken

MP
Minister for Planning and Climate Change Adaptation
Assumed office
11 June 2015
Prime MinisterSato Kilman
Preceded byJames Bule
In office
23 March 2013 – 15 May 2014
Prime MinisterMoana Carcasses Kalosil
Preceded byposition created
Succeeded byJames Bule
Minister for Justice and Social Welfare
In office
November 2012 – 20 March 2013
Prime MinisterSato Kilman
Preceded byRalph Regenvanu
Succeeded byMaki Simelum
MP for Tanna
Assumed office
30 October 2012
Personal details
Political partyIndependent (2012-2013)
Green Confederation (2013-)

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] 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]

References
  1. Bio sheet Archived 2014-04-28 at the Wayback Machine, Parliament of Vanuatu
  2. Vanuatu daily news digest | 18 February 2013
  3. "Opposition 28, Government 21" Archived 2013-03-23 at the Wayback Machine, Vanuatu Daily Post, 21 March 2013
  4. "Vanuatu Prime Minister, facing no confidence vote, resigns", Radio New Zealand International, 21 March 2013
  5. "Nation's interest first: Carcasses” Archived 2013-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, Vanuatu Daily Post, 26 March 2013
  6. "Vanuatu announces new cabinet after new prime minister Sato Kilman is elected", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 12 June 2015
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