democracy

Internet under threat from US law makers

The future of Papua New Guinean bloggers and online campaign organizations hang in the balance as the US Congress debates a law that will give them the power to heavily censor the world’s internet.

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Time to review our political system

By Patrick Kaiku


While the Constitutional Planning Committee (CPC) had performed a monumental task in the lead-up to the drafting of PNG’s Constitution, a new round of consultation should be ini­tiated to address critical issues that were not apparent during the time of the CPC.

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First the Egyptian's, now the Greeks, next Papua New Guinea

From LNG Watch

Last week we posted an article which raised questions over whether electoral politics in its current form constitutes democracy, that is does it enhance the capacity of each individual to participate in the economic and political decision making processes that condition their life. We suggested decision making takes place at hermetically sealed levels, which ordinary people are excluded from.

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PNG govt tries to further stifle debate - will AusAID follow suit?

The Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council in Papua New Guinea is being starved of funds by the PNG government and may have to shut down if AusAID follows the government lead.

The CIMC is an independent organization that brings together civil society, private sector and the government to develop policy and directly influence and monitor government decision making for the long term development of PNG. The CIMC was established by the National Executive Council (PNG's cabinet) after the National Economic Summit in 1998

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Reflections on people power

By Martyn Namorong*

I have written this in response to critics of mine who believe a lot of what I have written previously are lofty political statements that have no tangible benefit. This essay is not a protest manual. Like Clausewitz’s On War it is an exploration of the phenomenon of protest in its tangible, physical, and psychological manifestations.

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Has the Speaker, Jeffery Nape, misled the country?

Post Courier, Editorial

Parliament will resume next Tuesday. The Members of Parliament will have resumed after a six months holiday except for the one day sitting in February to elect the Governor General.

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Will Papua New Guinea benefit or lose out in the commodity boom?

By Paul Barker, Director of the Institute of National Affairs*

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Pacific islanders grow weary of 'big man' style

By Rowan Callick*

THE cyclone season is coming to an end for this year, yet a different type of turmoil is starting to stir the Pacific islands. A digital revolution is running through the region, with myriad mobile towers being erected providing cheap-as-chips, pay-as-you-go calls.

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Worst ever Parliament and an arrogant selfish government

By Oseah Philemon

THE current National Parliament is the “worst” Papua New Guinea has had in the last 20 years, Lae MP and deputy opposition leader Bart Philemon said yesterday.


Speaking in support of former prime minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, who said the people have lost faith in PNG’s parliamentary democracy, Mr Philemon said parliament has lost its credibility and integrity because the present government has treated it with absolute contempt and disrespect.


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PNG democracy at a crossroads says former Prime Minister

PEOPLE have lost faith in parliamentary democracy because it’s not working as it should be and it’s not keeping the government and bureaucracy accountable, says former Prime Minster and senior statesman Sir Rabbie Namaliu.

I see our democracy, our parliamentary system, as being at the crossroads. The next election will be more critical than any since Independence. I say that because the people of Papua New Guinea, as I read them, have basically lost faith and trust in key aspects of democracy.

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