Media Releases

Call for Forest Authority to Ban Tax Evading Logging Companies

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 19/05/2021 - 05:17

The Forest Authority must stop aiding and abetting logging companies identified by the IRC as defrauding the State and landowners by evading taxes, says community advocacy group ACT NOW!

“If logging companies are unlawfully evading taxes then the Forest Authority and the Minister must act to stop these companies accessing even more areas of forest to feed their criminal activities” says Campaign Manager, Eddie Tanago.

COVID catering scandal highlights govt failure to publish governance reports

Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 06/04/2021 - 09:30

The latest scandal over catering services at the Rita Flynn Isolation Centre, highlights the government’s broken promises to publish previous audit reports and break the cycle of impunity enjoyed by senior bureaucrats, says community advocacy group ACT NOW!

Positive Impacts From Log Tax Increase

Submitted by ACTNOW on Thu, 18/02/2021 - 05:11

The increase in duty on round log exports, introduced in the 2020 budget, is having a positive effect according to analysis conducted by the community advocacy group ACT NOW!

“The higher export duty has both increased government revenue and driven down the level of logs exports in line with government policy” says Campaign Manager Eddie Tanago.

Poor corruption rating costs the economy and hits essential services

Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 09/02/2021 - 04:59

Papua New Guinea’s international corruption rating has slipped a further one-point, from 28 to 27, in the latest figures released by Transparency International.

This is bad news for the economy and a sad reflection on the state of our democracy says ACT NOW! campaign manager Eddie Tanago.

Announcement on Unexplained Wealth welcome but PM will be judged on results

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 27/01/2021 - 04:48

Community advocacy group ACT NOW! is cautiously welcoming the government's announcement it is going to investigate public servants who are living extravagant lifestyles beyond what they should be able to afford on the salaries they are paid, but warns the Prime Minister he will be judged on the results rather than his promises.

ICAC law an important step but too early for celebrations

Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 18/11/2020 - 08:09

The passage of the law allowing for the creation of an Independent Commission Against Corruption has been hailed as an important step forward by community advocacy group ACT NOW! but the group is warning that it is too early for any celebrations.

"An independent commission is urgently needed to tackle the rampant corruption that is holding back our economy and stopping the delivery of vital health and other services to the people”, says Campaign Manager Eddie Tanago.

New Report Calls for a Dramatic Change for Real Development in Papua New Guinea

Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 06/10/2020 - 05:51

With the release of a new report today, ACT NOW!, Jubilee Australia, and the Oakland Institute, call for an urgent change of course from political leaders in Papua New Guinea. The report, From Extraction to Inclusion, analyses the country’s economic and development performance since its independence in 1975.

Promised ICAC will not be politically independent

Submitted by ACTNOW on Mon, 20/07/2020 - 11:56

The proposed Independent Commission Against Corruption will not be free from possible political interference under the terms of the draft Bill to be debated in the next session of Parliament, says community advocacy group ACT NOW!

The Prime Minister will Chair and the Leader of the Opposition will be a member of the committee that appoints both the ICAC Commissioners and the members of the Oversight Committee that will constantly review the operations, functions and powers of the ICAC.

In a Post-COVID World Govt. Must Drop Plans For Bankable Customary Land

Submitted by ACTNOW on Thu, 02/07/2020 - 05:41

With the COVID-19 pandemic still expanding across the globe, the PNG government is being urged to drop its plans to put customary land into the hands of commercial banks.

“The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated once again that customary land is a vital and irreplaceable resource for our families and communities”, says Campaign Manger, Eddie Tanago.

"It should be inconceivable that the government would put customary land at risk by allowing commercial banks to hold the title as security for financial loans".

Government must legislate on hidden company ownerships

Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 18/02/2020 - 04:40

The latest corruption scandal involving a government Minister and a foreign oil company emphasises once again the need for the government to legislate on hidden or ‘beneficial’ company ownerships says ACT NOW.

“Allowing people to register a company without revealing who are the real owners or beneficiaries creates a massive information vacuum that enables corruption and tax evasion to happen right under our noses” says Campaign Manager Eddie Tanago.