ACTNOW's blog

Success: Sand mining proposal defeated

Submitted by ACTNOW on Mon, 01/03/2021 - 16:36

A controversial plan by the Singapore based Powerplus Group, to mine sand along a 38 kilometre stretch of coastline in Madang has been defeated.

The government regulator, the Mineral Resource Authority, has written to mining opponents informing them that the mine exploration application has been withdrawn.

This comes after the sand mining application was met with strong opposition from local communities and environmentalists and concern from local tourism operators.

Log tax increase having positive impact

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 17/02/2021 - 05:56

The increase in duty on round log exports, introduced in the 2020 budget, is having a positive effect according to analysis conducted by ACT NOW!

The higher export duty has both increased government revenue and driven down the level of logs exports inline with government policy.

Sinking Seabed Mining

Submitted by ACTNOW on Fri, 12/02/2021 - 12:52

Image result for deep sea mining pollution

Papua New Guinean, Australian, and New Zealand civil society welcome ban on seabed mining in the Northern Territory

Poor corruption rating costs the economy and hits essential services

Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 09/02/2021 - 05:02

Papua New Guinea’s international corruption rating has slipped a further one-point, from 28 to 27, in the latest figures released by Transparency International.

This is bad news for the economy and a sad reflection on the state of our democracy.

Campaign Against Deep Sea Mining Continues

Submitted by ACTNOW on Thu, 28/01/2021 - 15:11

PNG communities will have their day in court! | Deep Sea Mining: Out Of Our Depth

By Grace Lima (Post Courier, 14 January 2021)

The campaign against deep sea mining in the Bismarck Sea by the Alliance of Solara Warriors (ASW) still continues.

Unexplained Wealth announcement welcomed, but PM will be judged on results

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 27/01/2021 - 05:59

Government plans to investigate public servants who are living extravagant lifestyles beyond what they should be able to afford on the salaries they are paid are welcome, but the Prime Minister will be judged on the results rather than his promises.

Law and order in Melanesia – Moral decadence in Melanesian

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 20/01/2021 - 13:06

By Duncan Gabi / first published by My Land My Country

Project Sepik Calls for Apology from The National

Submitted by ACTNOW on Thu, 07/01/2021 - 14:33

Authors: Duncan Gabi and Vernon Gawi / Project Sepik

PROJECT SEPIK CALLS ON THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER TO REFRAIN FROM PUBLISHING FAKE UNSUBSTANTIATED NEWS AND TO APOLOGIZE TO THE PEOPLE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA FOR MISINFORMING THEM REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF FRIEDA MINE.

NBPOL owner blacklisted by United States

Submitted by ACTNOW on Mon, 04/01/2021 - 11:31

US adds Malaysia’s Sime Darby to palm import ban list

By Lauren Moffitt / Argus Media

US customs has barred entry to raw palm oil and derived products supplied by Malaysian producer Sime Darby Plantation and affiliated entities from yesterday, citing evidence of forced labour in its production process.

There Is No Room For Coal In The Pacific

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 16/12/2020 - 10:34

Nogat Coal PNG

Today, The Pacific Climate Warriors in conjunction with the Nogat Coal Campaign, organised a protest at the AGM of Australian energy company Mayur Resources. The ASX-listed company is planning to develop a coal industry in Papua New Guinea (PNG) – including a coal-fired power station on the doorstep of Lae, the country’s second largest city. If Mayur’s plan succeeds, PNG would be the first Pacific country with a coal industry.