"LETS HAVE A CONSTRUCTIVE DEBATE ON POLICY ISSUE" - MORAUTA
PRESS RELEASE
Former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta today suggested the development of
a national agenda for discussing Papua New Guinea’s problems, and for finding
solutions.
“The time for whispering, for
speculating, for telling stories, and for fear, is over,” he said in a speech to more than 500 guests at an Independent
Team dinner in Port Moresby tonight.
“My intention tonight is to set an
agenda for a national conversation. I ask every concerned Papua New Guinean to
think and openly talk about our future.”
The audience, of like-minded
people who want to form an honest and effective government after the election,
came from a broad spectrum of PNG society. It included members of the business
community, academics, representatives of non-government organisations, Members
of Parliament, intending independent candidates and many ordinary citizens.
The Independent Team
is a voice for reform, reconstruction and development of Papua New Guinea, and aims
to discuss substantive issues and policy matters as they arise during the
election campaign. Funds raised at the dinner will be used by the Independent Team to work with
like-minded Members of Parliament to help form government after the election.
Sir Mekere laid out four initial priority areas
for debate:
·
Weed out corruption and strengthen oversight
institutions
·
Spend the money we have differently
·
New revenue and savings
·
Friendly foreign support
He said he wanted the
public to join him in playing an active part in removing “this wayward, corrupt
Government and in helping re-build a Papua New Guinea that is fair; a country
where everyone has an opportunity for a decent life; a country where people can
freely exercise their democratic rights; a country that will provide its
children with a sound future.
“I stand to be counted. I
want to help form a good, clean and effective
Government with moral leadership, a government that is dedicated to the nation,
not driven by personal interests.
“I am ready to help any Prime Minister, bar one, to achieve
that.”
Sir Mekere said every citizen has a critical role to play by
participating in discussions on policy options, and joining with like-minded
individuals and organizations to press for the reform that is so sorely needed.
“People must exercise their voting power at this election to
elect good, capable, honest men and women to Parliament, men and women who will
not be induced by money or the offer of position by the very leaders who have
brought our country to its knees.
Our future is at stake. As
in 1999, we have another Date with Destiny, he said.
Sir Mekere described the Government as an octopus, led by
people whose personal commercial interest conflicts with the national interest
and their public duty.
“It is an octopus with many tentacles, invading every
crevice, every nook and cranny where there is the smell of money,” he said.
“The tentacles have already grabbed significant commercial
stakes – in construction, security services, property development, real estate,
gaming, hospitality, mining and exploration, petroleum, aviation, insurance,
financial services, IT and communications. What is left for anyone else? The tentacles of the octopus have even
crossed international waters, to hide and deposit the spoils.
“Put simply, the octopus has to be destroyed. It is
pointless to just cut the tentacles, because new tentacles will grow.”
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