The Chief Secretary has announced the government has a new way forward on implementing the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the Special Agriculture and Business Lease land grab.

But ACT NOW! says the government's statement lacks any substance and is just the latest in a long series of excuses and delays.

Source: Dr Kristian Lasslett | International State Crime Initiative

Logging i bagarapim wara long Inaina Wildlife management Area long Kairiku Hiri District long CentralProvince (PWM Photo) 

Source: ABC Radio Australia - Caroline Tiriman

ACT NOW! has welcomed the suspension of Lands Secretary Romily Kila Pat but says his replacement, Luther Sipison, must act immediately to cancel the unlawful SABL leases.

Another major player in the Indonesian palm oil industry has adopted a zero deforestation policy; now it's time for the government of Indonesia [and Papua New Guinea] to catch up.

Dr Kristian Lasslett | International State Crime Initiative 

With characteristic insight, last week Oro Governor Gary Juffa MP took aim at Papua New Guinea’s media.

Juffa asked:

Source: Radio New Zealand

The governor of Papua New Guinea's Oro province, Gary Juffa, says illegal logging and deforestation continue under the Special Agriculture and Business Lease system.

The leases, commonly known as SABLs, have been consistently criticised as being a front for land grabbing.

Source: PNG Exposed

Secretary for Lands Romily Kila-Pat has finally been suspended – you can read some of the newspaper coverage from last week below – but the corruption in the Lands Department has yet to be properly addressed.

Kila-Pat, like his predecessor Pepi Kimas, has overseen numerous illegal lands deals and was infamously involved in many of the unlawful SABL leases – but the corruption in the Lands Department runs far deeper and two important questions need answering: