There have been exciting developments on a number of issues on which ACT NOW! supporters have been making their voices heard; including the SABL land grab, violence against women and children, and the Environment Act amendments. You can find out more here:

SABL Land Grab

More good news from the government with the announcement the Commission of Inquiry, which ACT NOW! supporters lobbied strongly for, has been extended for a further five months. This will allow regional hearings and full investigation of the leases which have been used to take control of over 5 million hectares of land away from traditional landholders. 

This is VERY important as there was a real danger the inquiry would fold and fade into history with its job only just begining. The Commission has already uncovered widespread allegations of fraud, forgery and numerous other abuses. You can follow the latest news on the ACT NOW! dedicated SABL blog.

Unfortunately though, one anomly remains - uncontrolled logging across 2 million hectares of forest inside the SABL areas. If the SABL's are illegal, then so is this logging and it needs to be stopped while the Commission completes its work!

Look out for a new email action later this week....

Campaign to end violence against women and children

More than 650 people have send emails to the Police Commissioner and NCD Commander calling for action on the terrible violence inflicted on Joy Wartovo by her abusive husband. This is an AWESOME response, but it is not too late for you to add your voice and help us reach our target of 750 emails:

www.actnowpng.org/action

There is still no word on the arrest of Simon Bernard or those who have been protecting him, but a vigourous debate on the issue of violence against women and children is continuing on Facebook, where more than 5,000 people have joined the Papua New Guineans Against Domestic Violence group.

There has also been an in-depth interview on ABC radio with the Facebook group founder, Lydia Kailip, and Australian indigenous academic, Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson. Atkinson has run effective workshops in Kaugere settlement in Port Moresby with some impressive results which prove solutions do exist:

Listen here - PNG breaking the silence on Facebook

The influential Huffington Post in the United States has also run a story on the campaign: Facebook Campaign seeks justice for abused wife of PNG cop

Environment Act Amendments

ACT NOW! members have sent more than 100 emails congratulating the government Ministers responsible for the decision to reverse the to the unnecessary, undesirable and unconstitutional amendments to the Environment Act. The Ministers deserve our congratulations, and appreciate your emails, so please ACT NOW! and send your message of thanks:

Congratulate the O'Neill / Namah government

Together we are being effective

Together, we are showing that when we ACT NOW! our voices are being heard and we can make a difference on the important issues. You can review some of these successes here: Campaign Successes

Thank you for helping make a better Papua New Guinea!