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Most land in PNG is controlled by families or clans. Seven million people sustain themselves, earn cash incomes and maintain their social and cultural identity.

Large companies are excluded, but they want to take control. They use poor health and education services, the result of corruption and mis-management, to tempt people into giving up their land.

But this ‘land reform’ impoverishes rural people, removes their independence and destroys the natural environment and community harmony.

Issues

Self sufficiency

For seven million people their customary land is their supermarket, their hardware store and cash machine. Dispossession means they lose their livelihoods and independence.

Hidden economy

Customary land sustains a huge economy based around subsistence agriculture and the informal sector that is worth at least K40 billion a year

False claims

Corporations are eager to address the ‘omissions’ of the colonial era and take control of customary land. In pushing this neo-colonial agenda they rely on many false claims.

Corruption

Corruption is a huge problem in PNG. Once land is registered it can easily be stolen through unlawful transactions that local people are totally unaware of