PNGBLOGS

by PAUL FLANAGAN Using PNG’s updated GDP numbers, there are new insights into PNG’s economic history. In particular, they show how bad the last four years have been: PNG’s budget deficits over the last four years are the worst in PNG’s history. From 2012 to 2016, deficits have totaled an extraordinary 23.8% of GDP This is nearly three times higher than the next worst five-year period for spiraling deficits (8.7% from 1992 to 1996 with five-year periods based on parliamentary terms). These daunting deficit figures are the driver behind the explosion in public debt from 17.3% of GDP in 2011 to 35.5% in 2016. In the 1992 to 1996 period, debt started at much higher levels (28% of GDP) but still didn’t reach 2016 levels (34.4% in 1996 vs the current 35.5% level using 2016 FBO numbers and IMF figures on 2016 GDP). There are two drivers for these historically high budget deficits. First, the massive increase in expenditure in 2012 was the largest in PNG’s history – a

PNG BLOGS Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s boast that he will increase national debt will burden all Papua New Guineans by committing future income to high interest payments, reducing the amount available for health, education and transport. “A primary cause of the woes Papua New Guinea is currently experiencing is Mr O’Neill’s gross mismanagement of the economy and public finances, including imprudent borrowing,” Sir Mekere said. “His stated intention to increase borrowing if he is re-elected will make matters much, much worse, and will prolong by many years any attempt to rescue the nation. “It is an example of his arrogant and uncaring attitude.” Sir Mekere pointed out that under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the K22 billion public debt already incurred by Mr O’Neill has surpassed the legal limit by more than 5 percent above the permitted 30 percent of GDP. His plan to increase debt even further is simply irresponsible.  It should be prevented and it should be inves

by SAM BASIL MP Since the O’Neil PNC government took office five years ago, their mismanagement of the economy has been acknowledged by myself, representing the Opposition, on countless occasions, from the illegal UBS loan and a substantial decrease in  foreign reserves, to the lack of education and health foresight bestowed on Papua New Guineans. The lack of teaching facilities and lack of medicine as well as the manipulation of economic information on the status of our economy, is enough to inform Papua New Guineans that the O’Neil PNC government hasn’t prioritised the welfare of PNG’s population and the economy. Certain public servants are also responsible for their negligence, in conforming to the ill will of the coalition government and one of these public servants is the Governor of the Bank Of PNG (BPNG), Loi Bakani. His recent outrageous comment that the economy shouldn’t be a topic of discussion during the election, can only reflect his guilty conscience when visible

by SAM KOIM As I have introduced, in this article, we will be exploring the legal qualifications on the right to stand for public office. Bear in mind that subject to these limited qualifications, the right to stand for public office is a constitutional right. Deduced from the Constitution, there are number of limitations/qualifications on the right to stand for public office. In order to stand for public office, the candidate must: 1. Be a PNG citizen (including naturalized citizen): ss. 50 and 103(3)(a). 2. Be aged 25 years or above: s 103 (1) 3. Have his/her name on the common roll: s 103(3)(a) 4. have been born in the electorate for which he intends to nominate or have resided in the electorate for a continuous period of two years immediately preceding his nomination or for a period of five years at any time: s 103(2) 5. pay a nomination fee of K1,000.00: s 103(2) 6. Of Full Capacity (not of unsound mind): s 103(3)(b) 7. Not under sentence of death or imprisonment for more t

by PETER J RICKETS April is proving to be the most disastrous month in the history of Australia’s relationship with Papua New Guinea, with yet another crisis in Malcolm Turnbull’s concentration camp on Manus Island, to the north of the PNG mainland. At a time when the West is struggling to win the hearts and minds of Papua New Guinea in the face of a concerted Chinese diplomatic effort to do the same, Manus has once again blown up in Australia’s face. This week’s riot during which PNG Defence Force personnel fired approximately 100 rounds from military weapons into the refugee compound has created even more animosity towards Turnbull’s Australia. The compound is supposed to be officially closed, but still houses hundreds of refugees, with Turnbull and his Immigration Minister washing their hands of any responsibility for it and its occupants. Infuriated by the continuing Turnbull-Dutton deceptions and their attempts to slither away from Australia’s responsibilities, Papua New Gui

PRESS RELEASE Former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta said today the proposed visit to Papua New Guinea by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is hard to fathom at this time, on the eve of PNG’s national election. Mr Turnbull came to office in September 2015 – over eighteen months ago.  In all that time, he has visited many countries, all over the world.  He has not found time to visit Papua New Guinea, one of Australia’s most important neighbors.  Why come now?  What is so important now that cannot be dealt with by officials? “The two Prime Ministers met in Australia a few weeks ago,” Sir Mekere said.  “They have met countless times at APEC, Pacific Islands’ Forum Leaders’ meetings, UN meetings, and I am sure they talk on the phone from time to time.  What is so pressing now, when Papua New Guinea is suffering at the hands of this corrupt, incompetent, uncaring Government headed by Peter O’Neill?” “It is insensitive and interfering for Mr Turnbull to pay homage to Mr

by SAM KOIM At the 25th Papua New Guinea–Australia Ministerial Forum held recently in Madang, the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) surprised the Australian Government Ministers in attendance by requesting the Australian Government to take a paradigm shift from its program and project based aid to direct budgetary support as was during early days of PNG’s statehood. Two reasons publicly given by the GoPNG for the request are that firstly, it is claimed that the Australian aid programs are running parallel to the GoPNG development agendas and secondly, it is perceived that a lot of middlemen are chewing up most of the funds that could otherwise be spent on tangible projects. It is understood such requests were made previously and Australia rejected it, but this time, the Australian Government had undertaken to consider it in an upcoming review on aid to PNG. Although the GoPNG denies the request is driven by the cash flow crises the country is facing, it is an open secret

UN announcement highlights recent problems with the PNG Government's payment of bills Comes after state-owned electricity provider cut services to several government agencies over failure to pay bills Five other countries — Venezuela, Libya, Sudan, Cape Verde and Vanuatu — have also lost voting rights for non-payment Papua New Guinea has lost its vote in the United Nations General Assembly because it failed to pay its annual contributions. Papua New Guinea has lost its vote in the United Nations General Assembly because it failed to pay its annual contributions. PNG needs to pay the UN at least $180,000 to regain voting rights. It is one of six countries whose voting rights have been suspended for non-payment — the others being Venezuela, Libya, Sudan, Cape Verde and Vanuatu. The UN's announcement highlights recent problems with the PNG Government's payment of bills. It comes after the state-owned electricity provider, PNG Power, cut services to the country's n

by GABINA TAU Post Courier is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Limited . It's biggest PNG shareholder is Nambawan Super with almost 26 percent. Strangely NSL does not have a director on the board which gives the management free reign. The Managing Director Kevin Smith is gay and lives with a little gay boy (half kerema hula). Together with other corrupt managers they been busy building the private empires. Kevin Smith is close to Ozzie at Ela Beach Hotel and through him to Peter O'Neill. Smith and his management frequent Airways Bacchus bar where he has a private drinks cabinet for him and his gay lovers. Over the years Kevin Smith and the late editor Blaise Nagoi had a desire to win an award in the News Limited annual awards for excellence in journalism.  They got close once with Gorethy Kenneth who is a O'Neill girl and regular Paddy's stool warmer. So their luck struck when a conman named Simon Eroro dreamt up this unbelievably outrageous concoction of a

by NIUGINI OUTLOOK THE MOST SOPHISTICATED LEADERS INTENT ON GRABBING ABSOLUTE POWER IN A COUNTRY AREN'T SO STUPID AS TO TRY IT IN ONE STEP OR A SUDDEN COUPE.   That strategy is very risky and it only gives one chance to get things right More likely to succeed is a slow step by step process on multiple fronts that slowly closes off normal democratic checks and balances. Thats the whole framework of what makes a de mocracy work - the legal mechanisms that keep a leader from grabbing too much power while promoting the spread of power across different sections of government and across many individuals.   Peter O'Neill is a brilliant tactician who has virtually completed pulling the wool over the eyes of most people of PNG. The only challenge remaining is to secure the 2017 election in PNC's overwhelming favour, whether honestly or dishonestly, so that he can proclaim that he has a mandate from the people to rule with absolute power. Following that, he can