Tim's blog

West Papua rally: Port Moresby governor defies PM and raises independence flag

Submitted by Tim on Mon, 02/12/2013 - 03:22

By Liam Fox on Radio Australia

The governor of Port Moresby has raised the flag of the West Papuan independence movement, despite a request by Papua New Guinea's prime minister not to do so.

Police told several hundred West Papuan refugees not to march through Port Moresby's streets today but they did anyway, calling for independence from Indonesia.

Their destination was city hall, where governor Powes Parkop raised the Morning Star flag of the West Papuan independence movement.

West Papua activist says PNG is threatening him with arrest

Submitted by Tim on Sun, 01/12/2013 - 10:05

The Guardian

The West Papuan activist Benny Wenda has said immigration officers in Papua New Guinea threatened to have him arrested along with an Australian lawyer for "engaging in political activities" and breaching their visa conditions.

Wenda and Jennifer Robinson plan to take part in an event in Port Moresby on Sunday to mark the West Papuan national day of 1 December. The event will culminate in a raising of the Indonesian province's banned morning star flag at the Port Moresby city hall.

Government lying: It is NOT dealing decisively with SABL land grab

Submitted by Tim on Fri, 29/11/2013 - 07:24

The government is misleading the people with claims in todays newspapers it is decisively dealing with the recommendations of the SABL land grab [see below].

The TRUTH is the Prime Minister has IGNORED the Commission of Inquiry recommendation that 38 of 42 leases be REVOKED and the land returned to customary landowners.

The Commission found the SABL leases were unlawful and void but the government is leaving the land in the hands of foreign logging companies who have colluded with government officials to defraud customary landowners.

Prime Minister's speech on the ICAC Bill

Submitted by Tim on Thu, 28/11/2013 - 16:05

Mr Speaker,

Today I present a very important Bill to amend the Constitution to establish the Independent Commission Against Corruption (or ICAC).

Mr. Speaker, when we took office in August 2011, one of the first NEC decisions was to adopt the Anti-Corruption Strategy 2010-2030. This strategy is the first of its kind and sets a clear path way to address corruption and improve good governance.

District Authorities to be established

Submitted by Tim on Thu, 28/11/2013 - 16:00

Parliament this evening voted 92 - 0 to pass a law setting up the District Authority in each districts, replacing the Joint District Budget Planning and Prioritees Committees (JDBPPCs). The Bill was introduced by the Prime Minister. It is in line with his vision to strengthen government at district level, with more funds and resources now allocated to that level, where the bulk of our people live.

Second Reading Speech Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local level Governments(District Development Authority) Law 2013

Advocate: Return land titles

Submitted by Tim on Thu, 28/11/2013 - 11:32

By Grace Auka Salmang, Post Courier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR development to be fully recognised in Papua New Guinea, it must be initiated and collectively agreed by the landowner themselves, says John Chitoa from the Bismarck Ramu group.

"We are therefore demanding that the PNG government cancel all SABLs and return the titles to their customary landowners.