By David Putulan

While the Oil Palm Industry in Papua New Guinea is preaching millions of kina in profit, it has come at a cost to the local inhabitants that once use to occupy the areas under oil palm. I am not talking about the environmental cost as loss of biodiversity through mono-culture is inevitable. The essence of this article is about the erosion of the social structures that forms the foundation for functional Melanesian communities. These social structures cannot properly exist when people are displaced from their land and forced to live another way of life.

Papua New Guinea has a new government and this creates an excellent opportunity for us to again press for the reversal of controversial amendments to the Environment Act that breach the Constitution and which were bulldozed through Parliament in May last year.

It has been a very interesting month with some highly contoversial changes on the politcal scene and some seemingly positive developments on ACT NOW! campaign issues.

While these developments have given some reason for optimism and celebration, many have mixed feelings and good reason for doubts remain.

By Nichson Piakal

A national day of repentance has to be one of the most ludicrous excuses for a public holiday ever thought up. It is an unnecessary waste of time and is yet another excuse for a country with a largely lazy urban population to become even lazier, directly hindering this nation’s productivity.

By Eva Kuson* - Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Today’s hearing carried on from yesterday proceedings in identifying the files brought before the inquiry. Council assisting Simon Ketan made a brief formal opening on the preliminary findings and addressing also the legal issuance of the SABLs. He outlined the statement of case on which the Commission of Inquiry was ordered into the SABL and all matters relating to it.

Papua New Guineans have another important campaign sucess to celebrate.

New Health Minister, Jamie Maxton-Graham, has announced the government will not be proceeding with plans to build a private 'super hospital' in Port Moresby.

By Eva Kuson - Monday 15th August 2011

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABLs) has yet again, been postponed to Tuesday 16^th of August 2011, due to unavailability of all information ordered to be presented before the CoI. Last Wednesday, the Commissioners were advised by the Council Assisting, Mr Ketan, that all information will be collected by today (Monday 15^th August 2011) but this has not been forthcoming resulting in the postponement.

The announcement by new Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, that his government will sell the controversial Falcon jet is a smart move, says ACT NOW.

"The Falcon jet was an expensive mistake that epitomized the greed and corruption of the previous government, it is a smart move by the new PM to get rid of what was effectively a ‘private PMV’ for the Somare’s and their supporters".

ACT NOW! has welcomed the announcement by Papua New Guinea’s new Prime Minister that his government will establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption.

"ACT NOW! is very pleased the Prime Minister has pledged to establish an ICAC and has recognized the crippling effects of corruption in PNG”, says Effrey Dademo, Program Manager for ACT NOW!

“ACT NOW! has been campaigning against the blatant stealing of public money and we see the introduction of an ICAC as a necessary step to tackle the problem, but it is only the first step of many that will be required.”