PNGBLOGS

ABC RADIO ELIZABETH JACKSON: Covering politics can be a tough gig for journalists; there's always lots of speculation and big egos. Reporters are often critical of politicians, but it's relatively rare for the criticism to flow the other way, publicly at least. Not so in Papua New Guinea, where journalists recently received a tongue-lashing, courtesy of the prime minister Sir Michael Somare. And as our PNG correspondent Liam Fox reports, it's not the first time it's happened. LIAM FOX: Press conferences with the 74-year-old prime minister of Papua New Guinea are pretty rare these days; they only happen once every few months or so. Recently Sir Michael Somare returned from an overseas trip and wanted to set the record straight on several matters he felt the media had covered poorly. He shuffled into the conference room with the help of a walking stick, sat down and unloaded onto the waiting press pack. MICHAEL SOMARE: I go out as a prime minister, everywhere promoting th

ABC RADIO ELIZABETH JACKSON: Covering politics can be a tough gig for journalists; there's always lots of speculation and big egos. Reporters are often critical of politicians, but it's relatively rare for the criticism to flow the other way, publicly at least. Not so in Papua New Guinea, where journalists recently received a tongue-lashing, courtesy of the prime minister Sir Michael Somare. And as our PNG correspondent Liam Fox reports, it's not the first time it's happened. LIAM FOX: Press conferences with the 74-year-old prime minister of Papua New Guinea are pretty rare these days; they only happen once every few months or so. Recently Sir Michael Somare returned from an overseas trip and wanted to set the record straight on several matters he felt the media had covered poorly. He shuffled into the conference room with the help of a walking stick, sat down and unloaded onto the waiting press pack. MICHAEL SOMARE: I go out as a prime minister, everywhere promo

SYLVESTER YAKAI Friends, people of PNG, some or a smart SELFISH mogul is well behind all these events that have been unfolding over the last couple of months. It is no coincidence. The way they are happening demonstrates existence of a drawn up strategy that guides the execution of all these activities to reach a certain goal/objective. Let me give you this, it is my personal perspective to qualify my claim above 1. The Maladina Bill Initially we had the Maladina bill, seeking to not only amend the OC act but also to do some repealing and additions. These came about after many parliamentarians were investigated or summoned over the last two years, almost at every turn to declare their business involvements, assets or other business activities as required by the leadership code. Most are government boys. To top it off, the OC grabbed the Chiefs collar for non-submission of acquittals. 2. The Environmental Act. This came about when the PM and NEC was trying to bulldoze operations at th

SYLVESTER YAKAI Friends, people of PNG, some or a smart SELFISH mogul is well behind all these events that have been unfolding over the last couple of months. It is no coincidence. The way they are happening demonstrates existence of a drawn up strategy that guides the execution of all these activities to reach a certain goal/objective. Let me give you this, it is my personal perspective to qualify my claim above 1. The Maladina Bill Initially we had the Maladina bill, seeking to not only amend the OC act but also to do some repealing and additions. These came about after many parliamentarians were investigated or summoned over the last two years, almost at every turn to declare their business involvements, assets or other business activities as required by the leadership code. Most are government boys. To top it off, the OC grabbed the Chiefs collar for non-submission of acquittals. 2. The Environmental Act. This came about when the PM and NEC was trying to bulldoze operations a

National Reports THE national government will ensure all development taking place in the country will take into account mitigation opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, at the same time, ensure adaptation issues are addressed. Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said climate change was cross-sectoral and would require and “attract significant budgetary and planning implications” that would involve central agencies like Treasury and National Planning”. Sir Michael was addressing chief secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc and members of the national climate change committee at their first meeting last week. “In our effort to institutionalise climate change in PNG, there are varying views and understanding of this issue; which can and is causing significant negative impacts in our provinces and across the world. “It is also an issue that holds great potential and opportunity for a country like PNG to diversify its development options, particularly in the renewable energy sector and