PNGBLOGS

STEVE LEWIS AUSTRALIA'S $4 billion foreign aid program is plagued by fraud, with 134 "active" investigations into possible corruption in 16 countries. Most cases of fraud are in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, who jointly receive $740 million a year in Australian aid. A Herald Sun investigation can reveal that at least $100,000 in taxpayers' money has been "misused" - and possibly siphoned off - on one project in PNG's overflowing jails. Millions of dollars are being illegally used by corrupt officials, with AusAID revealing 68 cases of "alleged, suspected or detected" fraud investigated in the past year. Adding to the problems for AusAID, its head Peter Baxter conceded that many of the countries receiving Australian money didn't have sufficient legal and police grunt to properly pursue The peak aid agency - which will see its budget double to nearly $8 billion by 2015 - would not comment on particular cases of fraud while investigations co

STEVE LEWIS AUSTRALIA'S $4 billion foreign aid program is plagued by fraud, with 134 "active" investigations into possible corruption in 16 countries. Most cases of fraud are in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, who jointly receive $740 million a year in Australian aid. A Herald Sun investigation can reveal that at least $100,000 in taxpayers' money has been "misused" - and possibly siphoned off - on one project in PNG's overflowing jails. Millions of dollars are being illegally used by corrupt officials, with AusAID revealing 68 cases of "alleged, suspected or detected" fraud investigated in the past year. Adding to the problems for AusAID, its head Peter Baxter conceded that many of the countries receiving Australian money didn't have sufficient legal and police grunt to properly pursue The peak aid agency - which will see its budget double to nearly $8 billion by 2015 - would not comment on particular cases of fraud while inves

LIAM FOX A judge in Papua New Guinea has slammed a Malaysian logging giant for using the courts to threaten and harass a local newspaper. In 2006 logging giant Rimbunan Hijau (RH) filed a defamation suit against the Post Courier after it re-printed an article from the Australian newspaper titled The rape of PNG forests. Several other motions followed, but yesterday Judge Ambeng Kandakasi dismissed them all, saying they were an abuse of the court process. He said it was clear RH had used the proceedings to threaten, intimidate and harass the newspaper and force it into unnecessary expenses. The judge said RH had used the court to "prevent and distract" the Post Courier from reporting on its conduct in the forestry industry. He also ordered one of RH's lawyers, Michael Wilson, be investigated for perjury after filing conflicting affidavits. Mr Wilson denies committing perjury. RH has been unavailable for comment. It owns PNG's other daily newspaper, The National, that h

LIAM FOX A judge in Papua New Guinea has slammed a Malaysian logging giant for using the courts to threaten and harass a local newspaper. In 2006 logging giant Rimbunan Hijau (RH) filed a defamation suit against the Post Courier after it re-printed an article from the Australian newspaper titled The rape of PNG forests. Several other motions followed, but yesterday Judge Ambeng Kandakasi dismissed them all, saying they were an abuse of the court process. He said it was clear RH had used the proceedings to threaten, intimidate and harass the newspaper and force it into unnecessary expenses. The judge said RH had used the court to "prevent and distract" the Post Courier from reporting on its conduct in the forestry industry. He also ordered one of RH's lawyers, Michael Wilson, be investigated for perjury after filing conflicting affidavits. Mr Wilson denies committing perjury. RH has been unavailable for comment. It owns PNG's other daily newspaper, The

Editorial THE judiciary has spoken loudly and clearly. Parts of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates have been found to be in clear breach of the Constitution and have been rendered obsolete. Parliament passed the law with its offending provisions almost unanimously in 2001 when the then government of Sir Mekere Morauta was in executive power. The current Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, famously absented himself from voting on this law and then benefited almost exclusively from its application in the last eight years. A further amendment was made to the law under the Somare regime in 2003 so, really, the one leader cannot blame the other for introducing legislation that had run amok of the Constitution. Both must bear some blameThe question that now begs asking is whether the judiciary has spoken too loudly, whether it had intruded into an area of lawmaking that is the precinct of the legislature alone; whether it had, in effect, stayed the hand of P

Editorial THE judiciary has spoken loudly and clearly. Parts of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates have been found to be in clear breach of the Constitution and have been rendered obsolete. Parliament passed the law with its offending provisions almost unanimously in 2001 when the then government of Sir Mekere Morauta was in executive power. The current Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, famously absented himself from voting on this law and then benefited almost exclusively from its application in the last eight years. A further amendment was made to the law under the Somare regime in 2003 so, really, the one leader cannot blame the other for introducing legislation that had run amok of the Constitution. Both must bear some blameThe question that now begs asking is whether the judiciary has spoken too loudly, whether it had intruded into an area of lawmaking that is the precinct of the legislature alone; whether it had, in effect, stayed the hand of

OSEAH PHILEMON In the next 24 months, the people of Papua New Guinea will be heading to the ballot boxesd to elect their MPs and, of course, a new government. In the last two elections, they voted for a government, headed by the founding Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, and his National Alliance Party. Now the government of Grand Chief Somare is sailing into stormy seas mid-way through its second five-year term as it prepares for the 2012 general election. Somare has indicated he wants to quit politics and take a rest after 40 years in national politics. His health is not at its best and that may be part of the reason he is wanting to retire from a job he knows more about than any other politician in Papua New Guinea. In the years since independence in 1975, Somare did say from time to time that he would retire from politics, only to see him emerge again with the help of his party to lead it to the next election, and ultimately, in government. CONTROVERSIES This time no one knows ex

OSEAH PHILEMON In the next 24 months, the people of Papua New Guinea will be heading to the ballot boxesd to elect their MPs and, of course, a new government. In the last two elections, they voted for a government, headed by the founding Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, and his National Alliance Party. Now the government of Grand Chief Somare is sailing into stormy seas mid-way through its second five-year term as it prepares for the 2012 general election. Somare has indicated he wants to quit politics and take a rest after 40 years in national politics. His health is not at its best and that may be part of the reason he is wanting to retire from a job he knows more about than any other politician in Papua New Guinea. In the years since independence in 1975, Somare did say from time to time that he would retire from politics, only to see him emerge again with the help of his party to lead it to the next election, and ultimately, in government. CONTROVERSIES This time no one kno

NOW that Members of Parliament are now longer bound by the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC), the air in Waigani is filled with rumours of secret meetings to topple Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. The meetings, we hear, are being held by political parties, or factions within parties, and different little groupings from both the government and opposition. Make no mistake. The silly season is on, and political hangers-on and fat cats are coming out of the woodworks to stake their claim, holding themselves out as seasoned brokers who have been in the game, seen it and done it all before, but banished to the wilderness for almost 10 years because of OLIPPAC. It is the opportune time for them and those Members of Parliament who feel their freedom has been curtailed for too long. They will hold secret meetings, often in dark places or under the cover of darkness, and send messages out containing their demands. “Give us this, and that, and we will m

NOW that Members of Parliament are now longer bound by the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC), the air in Waigani is filled with rumours of secret meetings to topple Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. The meetings, we hear, are being held by political parties, or factions within parties, and different little groupings from both the government and opposition. Make no mistake. The silly season is on, and political hangers-on and fat cats are coming out of the woodworks to stake their claim, holding themselves out as seasoned brokers who have been in the game, seen it and done it all before, but banished to the wilderness for almost 10 years because of OLIPPAC. It is the opportune time for them and those Members of Parliament who feel their freedom has been curtailed for too long. They will hold secret meetings, often in dark places or under the cover of darkness, and send messages out containing their demands. “Give us this, and that, and we wi

NATIONAL NEWS REPORTS A PROPOSED law to outlaw compensation claims along roads in the country is at the end of its drafting stage and will go to Parliament for approval. Once passed by Parliament, it will be illegal for anyone to erect structures along the 20m corridor of any road or highway. Compensation claims by villagers living along the Highlands Highway, especially in Chimbu, has become a major concern, with the government already forking out over K100 million for these villagers. But it has emerged that a lot of these claims are fraudulent, and an investigations launched has pointed to the involvement of government officials as well. The proposed law is one of the five transformational bills for land, air and sea transport improvement initiative are in draft stage awaiting certification. Minister for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Don Polye revealed this whilst officially opening the annual Highlands regional Consultative Implementation Monitoring Council (CIMC) forum in Go

NATIONAL NEWS REPORTS A PROPOSED law to outlaw compensation claims along roads in the country is at the end of its drafting stage and will go to Parliament for approval. Once passed by Parliament, it will be illegal for anyone to erect structures along the 20m corridor of any road or highway. Compensation claims by villagers living along the Highlands Highway, especially in Chimbu, has become a major concern, with the government already forking out over K100 million for these villagers. But it has emerged that a lot of these claims are fraudulent, and an investigations launched has pointed to the involvement of government officials as well. The proposed law is one of the five transformational bills for land, air and sea transport improvement initiative are in draft stage awaiting certification. Minister for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Don Polye revealed this whilst officially opening the annual Highlands regional Consultative Implementation Monitoring Council (CIMC) foru

SUSAN MERRELL A RECENT SALVO FROM THE AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER last month expressed outrage at the amount of money that has been paid out in compensation claims by the Papua New Guinea government. The journalist claims that: “A cabal of top public servants and lawyers have hijacked Papua New Guinea’s chequebook, plundering more than $300 million through sham compensation claims.” The ‘Finance Inquiry’ of the Papua New Guinea government was instrumental in uncovering this. Yet the big question is whether the inquiry will lay the blame at the right doorstep or whether this very expensive report, estimated at costing more than K30 million, will merely provide scapegoats. For instance, take the compensation claim brought against the State in the early 2000s by MP Andrew, Member for Port Moresby North East, investigated by the inquiry. The state had cancelled Mald’s licence to occupy a particular piece of land. Mald believed he had an unrescindable title and was seeking compensation. Not being

TELEGRAPH.CO.UK A Malaysian politician is facing the sack for superimposing his head on to a picture of the Queen giving out honours in an attempt to claim he had been knighted. In the doctored picture issued (ABOVE) by Mr Wong, he stands proud as Her Majesty pins the Knight Grand Cross to his breast. However, his name does not appear in the Queen's birthday honours list. "We can confirm that we have no record of any honour having been conferred at any time by the British Government on Jeffery Wong Su En," said a spokesperson from the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. An analysis of Mr Wong's photograph of him holding a certificate shows a crest at the top of the certificate claiming to be from Buckingham Palace, with a red seal. In fact, warrants for such honours are administered by the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, which is based at St James's Palace. Mr Wong's certificate bears no resemblance to the Royal warrants used for such honour

TELEGRAPH.CO.UK A Malaysian politician is facing the sack for superimposing his head on to a picture of the Queen giving out honours in an attempt to claim he had been knighted. In the doctored picture issued (ABOVE) by Mr Wong, he stands proud as Her Majesty pins the Knight Grand Cross to his breast. However, his name does not appear in the Queen's birthday honours list. "We can confirm that we have no record of any honour having been conferred at any time by the British Government on Jeffery Wong Su En," said a spokesperson from the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. An analysis of Mr Wong's photograph of him holding a certificate shows a crest at the top of the certificate claiming to be from Buckingham Palace, with a red seal. In fact, warrants for such honours are administered by the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, which is based at St James's Palace. Mr Wong's certificate bears no resemblance to the Royal warrants used for suc

PROFESSOR JOHN NONGORR The Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of parts of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates is obvious. It means that Members of Parliament (MP) now can leave political parties, to which they have been elected, at will. There are no restrictions on how MPs vote in Parliament. That is now law. The provisions of OLIPPAC that saw stability in government for the last 8 years, which is what the law was designed to do, is now gone. To some people, the result is good. To others, it isn’t good. There is not going to be agreement on this. To lawyers, the Supreme Court decision has some good parts and some disappointing parts. In the former fall the way the decision has been written and the analysis given to some of the critical issues. For instance, the discussion of the distinction between “regulation”, “restriction” and “prohibition” is clear. The decision is easy to follow given that the questions presented for the court’s opi

PROFESSOR JOHN NONGORR The Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of parts of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates is obvious. It means that Members of Parliament (MP) now can leave political parties, to which they have been elected, at will. There are no restrictions on how MPs vote in Parliament. That is now law. The provisions of OLIPPAC that saw stability in government for the last 8 years, which is what the law was designed to do, is now gone. To some people, the result is good. To others, it isn’t good. There is not going to be agreement on this. To lawyers, the Supreme Court decision has some good parts and some disappointing parts. In the former fall the way the decision has been written and the analysis given to some of the critical issues. For instance, the discussion of the distinction between “regulation”, “restriction” and “prohibition” is clear. The decision is easy to follow given that the questions presented for the court’

AUSTRALIA NETWORK NEWS The Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has indicated she could pursue Papua New Guinea as a location for an asylum seeker processing centre in the region. Ms Gillard has backed away from naming East Timor as her preferred place for the site, despite saying she'll pursue talks with the country. She says she welcomes positive signals from East Timor's leaders about the proposal. But Ms Gillard says she'll consider other countries too. "Papua New Guinea I believe is a signatory to the refugee convention but obviously I am now going to build on the set of conversations that we have seen happen this week, a conversation with the President of East Timor, we've now seen the Prime Minister of East Timor express some goodwill," she said. East Timor's president Jose Ramos Horta was sending out positive signals about hosting a regional asylum seeker processing centre, but said he still wanted more details. "Purely on humanitarian grou