An investigative report published by Bruno Manser Fonds and Rimbawatch, that reveals the disturbing role of Malaysian-linked companies in local deforestation. According to its findings, 97% of PNG’s Forest Clearing Authorities (FCAs) which are being used to unlawfully log thousands of hectares of forest, are controlled by Malaysian-linked companies.

The second annual report from ACT NOW! on the performance of District Development Authorities. The report is based on an analysis of the data published on the DDA Watch website from June 2024 - June 2025. The report reveals continued widespread failures in transparency, governance, and financial accountability among all 96 DDAs.

A summary paper on the abuse of Forest Clearing Authorities to facilitate large-scale tropical forest logging in Papua New Guinea.

Report by ACT NOW! on the performance of District Development Authorities based on an analysis of the data published on the DDA Watch website from June 2023 - June 2024. The report reveals widespread failures in transparency, governance, and financial accountability among all 93 DDAs. DDA Watch is an independent, politically neutral platform developed by ACT NOW! to provide the public with information on their local DDA and access to critical documents.

Kastom, Property and Ideology looks at the relationship between customary land tenure and ‘modern’ concepts of land privatisation and 'land grabbing' in Papua New Guinea and Melanesia. First published in 2017 by the Australian National University.

In Papua New Guinea powerful interests have their eyes on land. At stake are the livelihoods of most of the country's population, mostly in rural areas. This book argues that notions of 'economy' and 'development' have no meaning without a broad and inclusive focus on their livelihoods. It takes apart 'modernist' myths, such as the claim that large scale monocultures are more productive than small farming, and that customary land must be registered or 'mobilised' to provide real benefits. Combin

A Tok Pisin translation of a condensed version of the book Land and Livelihoods in Papua New Guinea

Briefing paper on the Loani Bwanabwana forest clearing project.

The third in a series of investigative reports into the abuse of Forest Clearance Authorities This case study looks at the Wasu Cattle Farm project in Morobe Province and raises serious questions about the project’s legality.

Written by Dr Hannah Harris from Macquarie University in Australia, the report examines how novel criminal law tools can be used to combat illegal logging and forest crime in PNG and the wider Asia Pacific region and how laws designed to target economic crimes (money-laundering, corruption, tax evasion) can also be leveraged in the fight against environmental crimes.

Chinese translation of ACT NOW's Timber Legality Risk Assessment, 2023. The assessment finds there is a very high risk that almost all logging taking place in natural forest areas in Papua New Guinea is illegal. The assessment is based on a comprehensive review of all the available literature, including the reports of official government inquiries, court cases, international organisations and civil society groups.

Anti-Money Laundering Risk Alert documents the body of evidence linking Malaysian logging conglomerate, Giant Kingdom Group, to forestry crime in Papua New Guinea. The report also documents a significant number of financial and designated non-financial businesses and professions in Malaysia which have significant exposure to the group.

The second in a series of investigative reports into the misuse of Forest Clearing Authorities as a cover for a large-scale selective logging operations. This case study looks at the Mengen FCA in East New Britain Province.

The Timber Legality Risk Assessment finds a very high risk that almost all logging taking place in natural forest areas in Papua New Guinea is illegal. The assessment is based on a comprehensive review of all the available literature, including the reports of official government inquiries, court cases, international organisations and civil society groups.

Investigative report into the Wammy Agriculture Project reveals how false promises of oil palm and rubber planting were used to obtain a Forest Clearing Authority (FCA) which has instead been used as a cover for a large-scale selective logging operation.

Report on the non-bank lenders providing finance to the logging industry in Papua New Guinea.

Carbon trading is just one part of an international move to put a price on nature and make it part of the global economy. Unfortunately this will do nothing to slow global warning and represents yet another attempt by corporations to greenwash their image while continuing to destroy the planet.

Research report reveals the ten groups of companies, all with strong links to Malaysia, responsible for nearly 70% of Papua New Guinea’s round log exports between 2019 and 2021.

Research paper looks at the history of government attempts to reduce the level of unprocessed round log exports and analyses whether current government policies to end log exports by 2025 are likely to be successful.

Brochure reveals how commercial banks operating in Papua New Guinea have supported the destructive logging of tropical forests despite numerous reports exposing the legal, environmental and human rights abuses associated with the logging operations.

Report reveals how commercial banks operating in Papua New Guinea have supported the destructive logging of tropical forests despite numerous reports exposing the legal, environmental and human rights abuses associated with the logging operations.

Research study by ACT NOW that finds despite the high reported prevalence of corruption, only a very small number of officials are being charged with corruption related offences and, over the past two years (2019/20), of 28 people charged none have been convicted or imprisoned.

Background paper that explains why most logging in Papua New Guinea should be regarded as illegal.

Background Paper that explains how the vital functions performed by the forests of Papua New Guinea (PNG) are being eroded by unsustainable and often illegal logging by foreign logging companies.

This brochure breaks down some of the myths used to justify the privatization of customary land and makes clear that efforts to privatize land are not about development but about profits for corporations, financial institutions and already wealthy people.

An infographic that explains the four ways logging companies evade tax and defraud the nation.

This Is Our Land is an educational resource published by the Oakland Institute that debunks myths used for privatizing land around the world, while providing facts on how customary tenure systems are critical to protecting livelihoods and ensuring sustainable development for the people and the planet.

From Extraction to Inclusion explains why the large-scale extraction of natural resources has failed to deliver promised development outcomes and how the government should instead focus on protecting customary land and invest in local farmers in order to put people at the centre of PNG's development and improve their lives and livelihoods.

This four-sided brochure gives a summary of the findings in our major report, From Extraction to Inclusion. It explains why the large-scale extraction of natural resources has failed to deliver promised development outcomes and how the government should instead focus on protecting customary land and invest in local farmers in order to put people at the centre of PNG's development and improve their lives and livelihoods.

A revised version of the popular factsheet that explains how Unrestrained Capitalism has been imposed on Papua New Guinea and is the root cause of many of the everyday problems we face. The flip-side highlights 5 key areas that can help us ensure a "Gutpela Sindaun Bilong Olgeta"

Revised edition of the Policy Proposals for Open and Accountable Government. Using extensive research, benchmarked international best practice and wide consultation, ACT NOW! has identified 22 measures to make government more transparent and accountable. If adopted, these measures could increase economic growth and boost the size of the economy.

Simple factsheet on the value of Papua New Guinea's real economy, which is based around customary land and rural agriculture

Tok pisin version of the two-page factsheet explaining the dangers of customary land registration

Two page factsheet explaining the Giaman Rot Bilong Divelopmen

This short paper outlines ACT NOW's position on Incorporated Land Groups, how they are being misused and the reforms that are necessary.

This factsheet explains why commercial banks want to make customary land 'bankable' and why this should never be allowed.

This factsheet explains what Incorporated Land Groups are; what their original purpose was, how they are being [mis]used and the problems this creates.

This Factsheet explains the government's secret agenda to take ownership and control of customary land away from rural people and hand it to multi-national companies, commercial banks and other foreign interests.

Corruption impacts societies in a multitude of ways. In the worst cases, it costs lives. It can also cost people their health, education, freedom and money. It can destroy families and communities, undermine our culture and cause environmental destruction. In this factsheet we present an economic analysis of how much corruption is costing Papua New Guinea and how a more open and transparent government could transform our future.

Incorporated Land Groups have been in use for nearly half a century but their original intended purpose and limitations are often poorly understand and their use has been fraught with controversy and abuse. In this short paper ACT NOW! examines the history behind ILGs, the uses to which they have been put and the controversies and abuses.

A briefing paper published by the Oakland Institute and Jubilee Australia that details how the National Land Summit held on May 1-3 2019 is an attempt by the government to ‘mobilize’ customary land to allow greater access to multinational companies and commercial banks for logging, mining, and industrial agriculture leases.

A schematic poster explaining how Unrestrained Capitalism is being imposed on Papua New Guinea and is the root cause of many of the problems we face everyday

A short paper explaining the government's land grab agenda and why it must be opposed.

Factsheet summarises the findings published by the Oakland Institute in its 'Great Timber Heist' reports

Tok Pisin factsheet summarising the findings of the Oakland Institute reports on 'The Great Timber Heist'

A report highlighting the appalling human rights abuses suffered by the victims of the huge SABL land-grab in Papua New Guinea.

Paper by academic Caroline Hambloch investigating the recent expansion of oil palm in East New Britain and highlighting the dangers of land registration processes.

Communities affected by three Special Agriculture Business Leases in the West Pomio District of East New Britain Province have assessed the economic damage caused by logging and oil palm planting. The assessment values the damage at more than K2.4 billion.

A Consultation Document containing fifteen policy proposals developed to contribute to the national debate on improving governance and service delivery.

The Circle / Triangle Story describes how outsiders have destroyed Melanesian communities and stolen their land. The story was originally developed by the Melanesian Indigenous Land Defence Alliance as a play used in community education.

The coffee industry is just one sector crying out for greater government assistance.

The population explosion makes protecting customary land even more important and urgent.

One page, A4 size, factsheet on the value of Papua New Guinea's real economy, which is based around customary land and rural agriculture

Simple brochure that unlocks some of the lies told about Customary Land Registration

A two-page fact sheet that explains the importance of customary land and the dangers of land registration

An economic evaluation of the compensation to which Papua New Guinea’s customary landholders - wrongly dispossessed through Special Agricultural Business Leases (SABL) - might be entitled if they successfully sued the government. The evaluation involves the calculation of commercial loss but also, and probably more importantly, economic equivalent value loss. The framework identifies the relevant heads of value (not just priced transactions) and demonstrates appropriate methods for valuation. Wr

A short, 12 page report, explaining what land registration is, its historical context and why it is dangerous for local communities and Papua New Guinea's development as an independent nation. Written and produced by ACT NOW! Publication date: March 2017.

An infographic poster showing the size of the SABL land grab

A simple fact sheet explaining what an SABL is and how they have been misused

A critical evaluation of the core assumptions underlying the Development Strategic Plan (2010-30) and its consistency with the National Goals and Directive Principles in the Constitution. Written by Patrick Kaiku and published by ACT NOW! in August 2016.

A double sided brochure explaining what an ICAC is and why it is needed

Double sided brochure explaining the SABL Commission of Inquiry history, hearings and findings

A discussion paper on the merits of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. The World Bank is funding Papua New Guinea's membership.

A Papua New Guinea flag printed palm outlining the 5 National Goals and Directive Principles.

ACT NOW! organization brochure. Double sided.

Poster urging the Prime Minister to stop the SABL Land Grab!

One page explaining the Special Agricultural Business Lease (SABL) land grab.

Brochure on the 2010 Commission of Inquiry into the misuse of funds in the Department of Finance.

A more detailed two page summary of how the SABL scheme has been abused and used to steal over 5 million hectares of customary land.

Two page summary of our report analyzing Papua New Guinea's Vision 2050. Vision 2050 is our government's long-term development plan, but is it consistent with our Constitution and National Goals?

Tokpisin fact sheet on Experimental Seabed Mining designed for local communities.

An analysis of how far the government's Vision 2050 meets the requirements of the Constitution and National Goals. Written by Patrick Kaiku and published by ACT NOW!

Two page summary of the issues behind experimental seabed mining in Papua New Guinea.

In Defence of Melanesian Customary Land presents Melanesian and Australian voices in defence of Melanesian customary land. The chapters touch on the broad themes of customary land in the region, as well as particular issues in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. Those issues include land tenure conversion, incorporated land groups, leases, the productive value of customary land, women and land, land tenure reform programs, and the social security features of traditional land tenure systems

Seminal 1973 report the Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters