By Luana Paniu

Three key people involved in procedures to issue the controversial Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL) are the first to appear before the Commission of Inquiry.

Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP) Acting Secretary Romlly Kila Pat, Acting Deputy Secretary, Customary Lands Adrian Abby and the Registrar of Titles Henry Wasa will appear before the CoI next Monday.

By Evah Kuson*

Following on from the preliminary hearing on the Monday 8, August  Simon Ketan has now taken over duties from Davis Stevens as the new Council Assisting for the Commission of Inquiry. Chief Commissioner in his welcoming address thanked Ketan for his willingness to take this role.

The announcement by new Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, that his government will sell the controversial Falcon jet is a smart move, says ACT NOW.

"The Falcon jet was an expensive mistake that epitomized the greed and corruption of the previous government, it is a smart move by the new PM to get rid of what was effectively a ‘private PMV’ for the Somare’s and their supporters".

By Martyn Namorong

This piece gets its title from the poem What’s Genocide by Carlos Andrés Gómez. Carlos’ insight into genocide is very profound once one reflects on the reality of today’s world.

The 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide defines genocide in Article II:

ACT NOW! has welcomed the announcement by Papua New Guinea’s new Prime Minister that his government will establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption.

"ACT NOW! is very pleased the Prime Minister has pledged to establish an ICAC and has recognized the crippling effects of corruption in PNG”, says Effrey Dademo, Program Manager for ACT NOW!

“ACT NOW! has been campaigning against the blatant stealing of public money and we see the introduction of an ICAC as a necessary step to tackle the problem, but it is only the first step of many that will be required.”

From Martyn Namorong

Tonight at Kaugere looking over the shanties

We see the glittering brightness of Overseas*

Creating The Darkness of Neon Lights

It is the loneliness and despair in the urban cities.

It is the alienation of LAND from rural people

That feeds the babes of rich people

We see true social security and happiness

Being diminished in the name of progress

The pursuit of large scale industries

By Evah Kuson*

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) officially opened their investigations into the Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SPABL) yesterday (8/08/2011) with presiding Chief Commissioner John Numapo with Messrs Alois Jerewai and Nicholas Mirou.

From ABC Radio

Papua New Guinea's new Prime Minister Peter O'Neil has made political stability his top priority in office.

 Earlier this week Mr O'Neil ousted Sam Abal as the country's leader, who had been appointed by Sir Michael Somare before he became ill.