ACT NOW! believes in a “gutpela sindaun bilong olgeta” (a just and equitable society). 

“Gutpela sindaun” means we value and protect our own culture and Papua New Guinean ways, there is a greater and more equitable distribution of wealth, and, we provide universal access to quality and affordable health and education services.

To achieve this we believe in the promotion and protection of local skills and industries as an alternative to the destruction caused by large foreign owned resource extraction; greater localization of political decision-making to improve accountability, more effective efforts to control corruption, and the protection of customary land rights.

WE THEREFORE CALL FOR:

1.      Localization of Decision-Making

Corruption is thriving and bad decisions are being made that favour foreign interests and local elites over ordinary people because decision-making and expenditure is concentrated in Waigani where there is no accountability. We demand greater regional autonomy and localization of decision-making and expenditure to give local people and institutions a voice and improve accountability and transparency

2.     Equal Distribution of Wealth

There is a deliberate and systematic theft of our resources by foreign corporations and the outrageous accumulation of wealth by a few greedy individuals. We demand of our government establish a well resourced ICAC and no new large-scale resource extraction until a full analysis of current operations and measures to ensure transparent, fair and equal distribution of costs and benefits.

3.    Protection of Customary Land

Unscrupulous foreign corporations and greedy Papua New Guineans are stealing land, breaking up communities and depriving them of their sustenance using corrupt officials, lies and violence. We demand the protection of customary and state land. There must be no further land alienation or land registration schemes.

4.    Promotion and Protection of Local Industries

Successive governments have discriminated against local people and industries by failing to provide protection, proper infrastructure and technical and financial support. We demand our government recognize our future is an economy based on Papua New Guinean people and values. The government must actively promote local skills and industries by providing protection, investment and incentives.

5.    Quality Education and Healthcare

The healthcare and education conditions for staff, students and patients are shameful and appalling. We are demanding the government provide access to free quality healthcare and free quality education for all.