PNGBLOGS

TUKUL WALLA KAIKU Contrary to what we may think, the call for autonomy for New Ireland is not a new one. To date there have been two calls for autonomy for New Ireland, the recent being the call since Sir Julius Chan assumed governorship of the New Ireland Province after the 2007 national elections and an earlier call of the 1960s up to the 1980s. There was in fact an earlier move for autonomy for New Ireland and in particular for New Hanover Island. That call took place in 1964 and continued up to the 1980s. The people behind it were three quarters of mostly those from the south, east and some parts of the north side of New Hanover Island who in the 1964 elections voted for President Johnson of America. The people wanted to be heard and understood and they wanted development for New Hanover. The type of development they wanted was that of a technologically innovative and advanced country like the United States and hence they wanted the United States to administer

TUKUL WALLA KAIKU Contrary to what we may think, the call for autonomy for New Ireland is not a new one. To date there have been two calls for autonomy for New Ireland, the recent being the call since Sir Julius Chan assumed governorship of the New Ireland Province after the 2007 national elections and an earlier call of the 1960s up to the 1980s. There was in fact an earlier move for autonomy for New Ireland and in particular for New Hanover Island. That call took place in 1964 and continued up to the 1980s. The people behind it were three quarters of mostly those from the south, east and some parts of the north side of New Hanover Island who in the 1964 elections voted for President Johnson of America. The people wanted to be heard and understood and they wanted development for New Hanover. The type of development they wanted was that of a technologically innovative and advanced country like the United States and hence they wanted the United States to administer

ILYA GRIDNEFF - AAP Papua New Guinea's Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal wants an overhaul of Australia's $414 million annual aid to PNG because he says too much is wasted on costly consultants. AusAID figures reveal that nearly half (46 per cent) of all Australian aid in PNG goes to advisers, contractors or experts providing "technical assistance" for "capacity building". That's twice the rate of other countries' aid programs. And despite delivering billions of dollars in aid to PNG over the years, a 2009 AusAID report found PNG is not meeting any of its human development goals despite strong economic growth and political stability. Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal wants aid effectiveness discussed at the joint Australia PNG ministers meeting scheduled for later this year. "We feel that the large portion of aid being used for consultants can not be allowed to continue," he said in Tuesday's Post Courier. "

ILYA GRIDNEFF - AAP Papua New Guinea's Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal wants an overhaul of Australia's $414 million annual aid to PNG because he says too much is wasted on costly consultants. AusAID figures reveal that nearly half (46 per cent) of all Australian aid in PNG goes to advisers, contractors or experts providing "technical assistance" for "capacity building". That's twice the rate of other countries' aid programs. And despite delivering billions of dollars in aid to PNG over the years, a 2009 AusAID report found PNG is not meeting any of its human development goals despite strong economic growth and political stability. Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal wants aid effectiveness discussed at the joint Australia PNG ministers meeting scheduled for later this year. "We feel that the large portion of aid being used for consultants can not be allowed to continue," he said in Tuesday's Post Courier. "

Maybe governments and politicians, or other leaders, have never enjoyed great public esteem, the world over. Sometimes feared, widely disdained or ridiculed, some leaders have enjoyed honeymoons of popularity, but relatively few have enjoyed lasting popularity, verging on reverence, like Mandela or Mahatma Gandhi. The level of scepticism is particularly high at this movement, worldwide, with politicians widely competing with investment bankers as the least popular or trusted members of the community. A recent popular survey in Australia had artists (like Blanchett), public-spirited businessmen (like Dick Smith), charity leaders, scientists and a few other public office holders standing head and shoulders ahead of politicians, less salubrious financiers and other businessmen in the stakes of trustworthiness. (Some politicians, including, interestingly, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard come ahead amongst politicians). Government credibility in countries like Greece (w

Maybe governments and politicians, or other leaders, have never enjoyed great public esteem, the world over. Sometimes feared, widely disdained or ridiculed, some leaders have enjoyed honeymoons of popularity, but relatively few have enjoyed lasting popularity, verging on reverence, like Mandela or Mahatma Gandhi. The level of scepticism is particularly high at this movement, worldwide, with politicians widely competing with investment bankers as the least popular or trusted members of the community. A recent popular survey in Australia had artists (like Blanchett), public-spirited businessmen (like Dick Smith), charity leaders, scientists and a few other public office holders standing head and shoulders ahead of politicians, less salubrious financiers and other businessmen in the stakes of trustworthiness. (Some politicians, including, interestingly, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard come ahead amongst politicians). Government credibility in countries like Greece (w

ALMOST all rural villages in PNG do not have basic services, causing the people to suffer in silence. Now, imagine if you want to become an MP. You show up during election campaigning and promise the people you will restore everything if you are voted in. They give you their mandate and after winning the election, you return to Port Moresby where you live in an expensive house, drive around in flashy cars trying to attract the attention of young girls, eat in exclusive restaurants, frequenting pokies joints and nightclubs, and travelling to Australia for shopping and medical treatment. One day, you decide to make a trip to the village to launch a semi-permanent classroom. At the airport, you are greeted by your tribesmen and you hire a fleet of vehicles. As the convoy makes its way to the village, the pothole-filled road makes your drive uncomfortable. On that instant, you started working out your speech, what to tell the people. As soon as you get out of the vehicle upon rea