PNGBLOGS

FOR recipients of large cash sums, the above question is moot. They are blinded by the cash and all it promises. It does not matter a wit to them if it were proceeds of crime. We raise the question because the large cash sums and goods such as vehicles and banana boats being handed out by politicians like the realisation of the “cargo cult” dreams of yester-years might well be the proceed of crime. Applying public money for purposes it was not intended for is misapplication or abuse and, therefore, a crime. Even if the money were given for a constructive purpose, for instance the donation of a vehicle for police work in a district, it is still a fraud if the money were intended for something else. All public money is budgeted for each year. There are strict guidelines for use of public money whether they be allocated to departments or for programs. To transfer money from one vote to another without the proper authorisation is illegal. It is important therefore that each time a politici

FOR recipients of large cash sums, the above question is moot. They are blinded by the cash and all it promises. It does not matter a wit to them if it were proceeds of crime. We raise the question because the large cash sums and goods such as vehicles and banana boats being handed out by politicians like the realisation of the “cargo cult” dreams of yester-years might well be the proceed of crime. Applying public money for purposes it was not intended for is misapplication or abuse and, therefore, a crime. Even if the money were given for a constructive purpose, for instance the donation of a vehicle for police work in a district, it is still a fraud if the money were intended for something else. All public money is budgeted for each year. There are strict guidelines for use of public money whether they be allocated to departments or for programs. To transfer money from one vote to another without the proper authorisation is illegal. It is important therefore that each time a politi

PAPUA New Guinea's former planning minister Paul Tiensten has fled to Australia after being served with a summons to answer fraud and corruption allegations. Police in Kokopo, in East New Britain province, served Mr Tiensten with a summons on Tuesday to appear before a government taskforce and answer questions over the misappropriation of $A4.4 million in development funds in his electorate. But the next day, Mr Tiensten flew to PNG's capital Port Moresby and then to Brisbane after buying a ticket at the airport, said Sam Koim, chairman of the corruption task force. Mr Tiensten has since disappeared. "It is not known where he is at the moment," Mr Koim told AAP. "He bought a ticket at the airport, bought a ticket to Moresby and then all the way to Australia ... he disappeared. "We thought he was a gentleman and a leader - and as a gentleman and leader he would come (to the police)." Mr Koim said PNG is working closely with Australian authorities to find

PAPUA New Guinea's former planning minister Paul Tiensten has fled to Australia after being served with a summons to answer fraud and corruption allegations. Police in Kokopo, in East New Britain province, served Mr Tiensten with a summons on Tuesday to appear before a government taskforce and answer questions over the misappropriation of $A4.4 million in development funds in his electorate. But the next day, Mr Tiensten flew to PNG's capital Port Moresby and then to Brisbane after buying a ticket at the airport, said Sam Koim, chairman of the corruption task force. Mr Tiensten has since disappeared. "It is not known where he is at the moment," Mr Koim told AAP. "He bought a ticket at the airport, bought a ticket to Moresby and then all the way to Australia ... he disappeared. "We thought he was a gentleman and a leader - and as a gentleman and leader he would come (to the police)." Mr Koim said PNG is working closely with Australian authorities

Michael Somare has lost his bid to keep his seat in Papua New Guinea's parliament after a National Court judge ruled against the former prime minister's application for an injunction against his dismissal. Judge Allen David ruled yesterday he was unwilling to interfere in the processes of parliament and the matter was likely to form part of a Supreme Court case. "I am not minded to interfere with the processes of parliament," Judge David told the court. "The Supreme Court is the best court to decide these issues." Sir Michael had been seeking an injunction against his dumping from his East Sepik seat this month by Speaker Jeffery Nape, who said the former prime minister had missed three consecutive sittings of parliament - grounds for dismissal under PNG law. Outside the court yesterday, Sir Michael's lawyer, Kerenga Kua, said his client would appeal against the ruling. "We will be filing an application tomorrow for the Grand Chief to intervene in t

Michael Somare has lost his bid to keep his seat in Papua New Guinea's parliament after a National Court judge ruled against the former prime minister's application for an injunction against his dismissal. Judge Allen David ruled yesterday he was unwilling to interfere in the processes of parliament and the matter was likely to form part of a Supreme Court case. "I am not minded to interfere with the processes of parliament," Judge David told the court. "The Supreme Court is the best court to decide these issues." Sir Michael had been seeking an injunction against his dumping from his East Sepik seat this month by Speaker Jeffery Nape, who said the former prime minister had missed three consecutive sittings of parliament - grounds for dismissal under PNG law. Outside the court yesterday, Sir Michael's lawyer, Kerenga Kua, said his client would appeal against the ruling. "We will be filing an application tomorrow for the Grand Chief to intervene

Its an absolute disgrace, Australia's attitude towards Papua New Guineans at the High Commission. What's even worse is the apparently racist attitude that the Papua New Guinean staff have towards their own country folk. As a former Australian citizen and long term resident of PNG (I have been here since I was an infant) and married to a Papua New Guinean, I have sponsored relatives on several occasions to travel to Australia for short stays, for weddings, funerals and shopping trips. It's the same each time, and it's getting worse. The Papua New Guinean applicant first has to endure a half day wait in the sun or rain in the car park just to get a number to lodge an application (the High Commission has supplied cheap gazebos to provide shelter in the car park, these are useless). From the time applicants finally get to the counter to lodge their application, they are immediately treated with suspicion and contempt by the PNG officer who serves them. Of course my story is