In early April 2017, Pruaitch publicly criticised his own government's management of the economy at a party meeting of the National Alliance Party. He was then formally still in the Cabinet as Treasurer. He stressed the rapid growth of the national debt and the fall of government revenue. He doubted Peter O'Neill's willingness to curb public spending at a time when public debt was increasing. Early in May, he accused O'Neill of not providing sufficient funding for police services in preparation for the 2017 general election. O’Neill responded after a few days stating that Pruaitch, himself as minister in his Cabinet, was responsible for the state of affairs of the economy. Pruaitch was dismissed as treasurer on 12 May 2017, but O'Neill offered him to remain a member of the government as a minister without a portfolio."Pruaitch removed as PNG Treasurer". RNZ. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2019. However, Pruaitch decided to leave the coalition.
