Blogs

Dear Prime Minister Michael Somare

I implore you to RESTORE the Environment Act and REVOKE these newly-legislated measures that deprive all Landowners in Papua New Guinea of their most basic rights: Their right to land, their right to live in a clean and safe environment, their right to justice.

When you first became Prime Minister in 1975, PNG was one of the most constitutionally advanced new nations in the world.  It was one of the few in the Pacific where, unlike Indonesia and other nations, the local lands belonged to the indigenous owners.

Submitted by Countryside

When the Whiteman first arrived our shores, our wantoks marveled at their tools, way of life and customs. They soon became part of their foreign policy, to spread their hegemony through colonialism. Using the strategy of in the first instance missionary out post, second to protectorate and than eventually to resource extractions, the machinery of development was totally for the Empire. Yep, we went under this conveyor belt as well, carving our great land to be one part for Wilhelm Kaiser and the other for Her Majesty.

The National Court has found controversial Malaysian logging giant, Rimbunan Hijau, guilty of intimidating, threatening and harassing the Post Courier newspaper and abusing court processes in order to try and stop publication of reports critical of their logging operations.

The Court has also ordered Rimbunan Hijau's lawyer, Michael Wilson be charged with perjury for filing sworn evidence "that defies the truth with intend [sic] to mislead the court".

The full National court decision is attached below as a downloadable pdf file.

Australia's Foreign Minister failed to confront PNG's culture of corruption and conflict on his recent visit, says Paul Cleary writing in The Australian

THE visit to Papua New Guinea last week by Foreign Minister Stephen Smith highlights the disturbing incapacity of the Port Moresby government to cope with the mounting challenges it faces, and Australia's refusal to confront a culture of corruption and conflict that is tearing the place apart.

Submitted by 'Countryside'

In December 2007, the National Executive Council (NEC) made a decision to develop a framework for the development of a long-term strategy for Papua New Guinea.

The result was "The Papua New Guinea Vision 2050", which was launched in November 2009.

The National Strategic Task Force which developed the Vision was headed by Professor David Kavanamur, and comprised, Daniel Kapi, Avia Koisen, Lady Aivu Tauvasa, The late Ambassodor Peter Peipul, Allan Bird, Michael Malabag, Paul Bengo, Robert Agarobe, Simon Kenehe, David Sode and Reverand Samson Lowa.

Papua New Guinea's supreme court of justice has ruled that the Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates is unconstitutional. Please find attached the judgement in this matter...

By PETER NIESI

We have watched you rise in stature as the nation’s vice regal, Governor-General, Head of State of Papua New Guinea on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

You have presented yourself as a champion in the fight against corruption with consistent, consecutive leadership in word and through Transparency International (PNG) Inc annual Walk Against Corruption.

Papua New Guinea, Sir, is crying out for role models of righteousness in the light of much questionable decision-making by the elected government of the day.

A coalition involving Transparency International, business houses in Port Moresby who have supported the creation of a Business Against Corruption Alliance, civil society and PNG's peak legal professional body is calling on the Government to address a number of serious issues including:

By Charles Mende*

I have heard and read about the current appointment of the Governor-General with interest and since it is a constitutional situation involving the representative of the Head of State it deserves extensive and thorough public discussion. It appears that there are some improprieties as a result of the conduct of the Parliament in the appointment of the G-G then it should be challenged in court.