Emirau is an island in New Ireland province of PNG.
 Evidence at the SABL inquiry has emerged that Emirau and its surrounding waters are owned by an Australian, reports the Post Courier newspaper.


This is the result of an agreement signed on November 10, 2004 by former Kavieng MP Ben Micah and businessman Edward Carr, the counsel assiting the inquiry Paul Tusais said last week.


The agreement gave Car exclusive rights over the island and waters extending for a 12 mile radius to Mussau and Tenits island.
 The MoA stated that “no tribal or cultural issues prevent him (Mr Car) from receiving produce – fish from local waters.


Mr Tusais presented these findings before the Commission of Inquiry into the SABL . 
He said the agreement was signed after the SABL was granted to company known as Emirau Trust under one shareholder Elvie Judy Mave who is also the sole director.


“What is odd, is the fact that one trust which was purportedly set up for the entire people of Emirau Island, one would expect to see a few more people from Emirau Island participate as shareholders and directors,” said Mr Tusais.


He said that prior to the issuance of the SABL in December 2006, a Deed of Trust dated 24 December 2004 had been registered with the Registrar of Companies on 5 January 2005 in which the the Trust would assume all land and land users rights of 29 listed ILGs.
 Mr Tusais told presiding Commissioner, Nicholas Mirou that the trust had entered into an agreement with Mr Car to effectively control, direct and do as he sees fit on Emirau Island for the next 99 years with an option to extend the lease if he pleases.


“For the purposes of developing integrated industries involving fishing tourism, airline industries and transport in services that supposedly will transform Emirau Island into a strategic centre for diverse business operations in the Pacific realm,” he said.


But according to Emirau Landowners Association, consent was not sought from many of the island villages and the number of ILG’s were concocted out of thin air.
 The Association executives, President Vince Benny, Vice President Jerry Sio and Secretary Andrew Mopio told an entirely different story.


“There are only up to 500 people living on the island and therefore there are only 5 or 6 clans, how did they come up with 29 ILG’s?” they asked. 
They also claimed that the SABL was a front for Mr Car to engage in other activities other then agriculture because it was common knowledge on the island that the soil was not fertile and had been completely destroyed since World War II therefore, the SABL would not serve its purpose.


“They have tricked the people into believing that they will be receiving money for this and that developments will take place but at what cost?” they said.


Also under the agreement, Mr Car would be allowed by the Emirau people to build and operate one or more international airports capable of taking large aircrafts like 747s and airbus aircraft which he would charge landing and takeoff fees and impound and hold any offending planes. “It was agreed that Mr Micah would work with the PNG Government to allow Mr Car to create an island economy which would use the US Dollar as currency instead of the PNG Kina,” said Mr Tusais.