Career
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 Member of Parliament for Tanna, in the 2012 general election. Prime Minister Sato Kilman appointed him as Minister of Justice and Social Welfare.
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.
Lacking a majority with which to govern, Kilman resigned the following day, before a motion of no confidence could be brought against him. 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.