Mining Minister outlines another government attack on democracy

Mining Minster, John Pundari, has announced in a Ministerial Statement (see below) he wants a government body set up to control NGOs and ensure they "work within a set policy framework" and "partner and complement the government".

This sinister declaration comes on the back of other government moves to limit free speech and close down democratic rights and freedoms, including

• unsuccessful attempts to stop media coverage of the controversial amendments to the Environment Act  and ban public protests;
• a refusal to accept public petitions;
• shutting down Parliament to avoid a vote of no-confidence; and 
• passing legislation with no public consultation, Parliamentary scrutiny or debate.

While Papua New Guinea's neighbours, Australia and New Zealand, are being very strident in calling for an end to Fiji's military leadership they seem to be ignoring the fact that in PNG Michael Somare and his government are behaving in a manner that is just as undemocratic.

More information on PNG government moves to undermine democracy