People's United Assembly

{{Infobox political party

| name = People's United Assembly

| logo =

| colorcode =

| leader = Ati Wobiro{{cite web | url=http://www.pngec.gov.pg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/political-parties-information.pdf | title=REGISTRY OF POLITICAL PARTIES | publisher=Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411055235/http://www.pngec.gov.pg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/political-parties-information.pdf | archive-date=11 April 2017 | accessdate=11 April 2017 | url-status=dead }}

| president = Raymond Kuai

| secretary = Benjamin Gawi

| founded = {{start date|2012|03}}

| country = Papua New Guinea

| seats1_title = National Parliament

| seats1 = {{Composition bar|0|111|gold}}

}}

The People's United Assembly is a political party in Papua New Guinea.

It was formed in March 2012 by six sitting MPs, including Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru, Pomio MP Paul Tiensten, Middle Rami MP Ben Semri, Kagua Erave MP James Lagea, and two others, with a ten-point policy platform. Agiru was selected as the leader of the new party.{{cite news |title=Agiru to lead new group |work=PNG Post-Courier |date=19 March 2012 }} One such policy was the increased decentralisation of power away from Port Moresby, empowering district authorities and local level authorities.{{cite news |title=Redirect resources says People's United Assembly |work=PNG Post-Courier |date=21 March 2012 }} It was officially registered in May 2012, becoming the last new party to be registered in time for the 2012 election.{{cite news |title=Agiru forms new party |work=PNG Post-Courier |date=14 May 2012 }}

The party was loyal to ousted National Alliance Prime Minister Michael Somare during the election, labelling him the legitimate Prime Minister.{{cite news |title=Leaders of PUA say don't be fooled |work=PNG Post-Courier |date=8 June 2012 }} Somare pledged to work with them and was the keynote speaker at a campaign event.{{cite news |title=Election 2012: Run-Up to PNG Polls Begins |work=IHS Global Insight Daily Analysis |date=21 May 2012 }}{{cite news |title=PUA to bring hope for change |work=PNG Post-Courier |date=21 May 2012 }} Three MPs were returned under their banner: Agiru, Tiensten, and new candidate Ati Wobiro (Western Provincial); Lagea was also returned, variously reported as an independent or for the party.{{cite news |title=Party DeclaredCandidate NameElectorate |work=PNG Post-Courier |date=24 July 2012 }}{{cite news |title=Trawen: Awesa is the declared candidate |work=PNG Post-Courier |date=25 July 2012 }} Following the clear victory of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill at the election, they pledged support to his government, citing a desire for stability.{{cite news |title=Ipatas, Agiru seek stability |work=PNG Post-Courier |date=26 July 2012 }}

Tiensten was sentenced to nine years in jail for misappropriation in March 2014.{{cite news |title=Former PNG escapes longer jail term |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/240395/former-png-escapes-longer-jail-term |work=Radio New Zealand News International |date=1 April 2014}} In October 2014, Lagea defected to the People's National Congress.{{cite news |title=Lagea joins ruling party |work=PNG Post-Courier |date=17 October 2014 }} Agiru died in April 2016.{{cite news |url=http://www.looppng.com/content/agiru-shining-star-hela-%E2%80%93-deed-political-icon-our-day |title=Agiru, shining star of Hela – in deed a political icon of our day |work=Loop Pacific |date=19 May 2016}} Wobiro was sentenced to ten years in jail for misappropriation in November 2016.{{cite news |title=Governor of PNG's Western province jailed for 10 years |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/318413/governor-of-png%27s-western-province-jailed-for-10-years |work=Radio New Zealand News International | date=18 November 2016}}