PNGBLOGS

IN A row boat at low tide, the distance between one of the best health systems in the world and one of the worst can can be easily travelled in less than 15 minutes. So it is not surprising that over the past decade some 200 people sick with tuberculosis have been bundled into boats by their families and ferried across this frontier, the narrow band of water separating Papua New Guinea (a nation ranked 137 out of 162 in the UN World Development Index) and islands that are outlying territories of Australia (ranked No. 2). After being examined at the islands' TB clinics, about one-quarter of the sick have been found to be infected with multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), a dreaded modern manifestation of a disease that still ranks among humanity's greatest killers. From the Torres Strait islands of Saibai and Boigu, the sickest are then flown to hospitals in Cairns, Queensland, where access to powerful second-line

The son of dumped Papua New Guinean leader Sir Michael Somare has vowed to bring his father onto the floor of parliament when it next sits, defying Speaker Jeffery Nape's decision to end the political veteran's 43-year parliamentary career. Arthur Somare, himself a suspended MP, has told local media he will bring the ailing 76-year-old Sir Michael into the chamber when parliament gathers on September 20. "Wefeel confident that there is no vacancy in the East Sepik provincial seat," Mr Somare is reported to have said in the Port Moresby-based newspaper, The National. The Post Courier reported a "visibly angry" Mr Somare as saying neither the prime minister, Peter O'Neill, nor Mr Nape could stop him "literally open[ing] the door to the chamber and bringing in the Grand Chief". Comment is being sought from Sir Michael. Sir Michael was dismissed from parliament on Tuesday by Mr Nape, who said the nation's longest-serving prime minist

The son of dumped Papua New Guinean leader Sir Michael Somare has vowed to bring his father onto the floor of parliament when it next sits, defying Speaker Jeffery Nape's decision to end the political veteran's 43-year parliamentary career. Arthur Somare, himself a suspended MP, has told local media he will bring the ailing 76-year-old Sir Michael into the chamber when parliament gathers on September 20. "Wefeel confident that there is no vacancy in the East Sepik provincial seat," Mr Somare is reported to have said in the Port Moresby-based newspaper, The National. The Post Courier reported a "visibly angry" Mr Somare as saying neither the prime minister, Peter O'Neill, nor Mr Nape could stop him "literally open[ing] the door to the chamber and bringing in the Grand Chief". Comment is being sought from Sir Michael. Sir Michael was dismissed from parliament on Tuesday by Mr Nape, who said the nation's longest-serving prime min

AAP Sir Michael Somare has been disqualified from Papua New Guinea's parliament just hours after making a dramatic return after a five-month absence. The 76-year-old former prime minister had arrived back in PNG from Singapore on Sunday to prevent the attempt by the government of Peter O'Neill to unseat him. Speaker of the house Jeffery Nape ended the 43-year career of PNG's first prime minister, affectionately known as the father of the nation, just before 6pm (AEST) on Tuesday. "It is now my solemn duty to advise you that by operation of Section 104(2) (d) of the constitution your former seat, East Sepik Provincial, is now vacant," Mr Nape said in a statement which he read out in parliament after Sir Michael had left the chamber. "I have advised the governor-general and the sergeant at arms of the parliament accordingly. I shall announce my decision to the parliament when it next meets." Mr

AAP Sir Michael Somare has been disqualified from Papua New Guinea's parliament just hours after making a dramatic return after a five-month absence. The 76-year-old former prime minister had arrived back in PNG from Singapore on Sunday to prevent the attempt by the government of Peter O'Neill to unseat him. Speaker of the house Jeffery Nape ended the 43-year career of PNG's first prime minister, affectionately known as the father of the nation, just before 6pm (AEST) on Tuesday. "It is now my solemn duty to advise you that by operation of Section 104(2) (d) of the constitution your former seat, East Sepik Provincial, is now vacant," Mr Nape said in a statement which he read out in parliament after Sir Michael had left the chamber. "I have advised the governor-general and the sergeant at arms of the parliament accordingly. I shall announce my decision to the parliament when it next meets."

Forty-eight years after Indonesia took over administration of West Papua from the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority, West Papuans continue to struggle for self-determination. Although West Papua is not often on our front pages, recent events there show that the fight for justice is not about to go away any time soon — even as Indonesian security forces employ increasingly heavy-handed tactics to quell unrest.  Thousands of West Papuans took to the streets in peaceful rallies across the province at the beginning of August calling for a referendum. Also last month, International Lawyers for West Papua held their ‘West Papua — The Road to Freedom’ conference in Oxford, UK . The conference brought together legal experts, parliamentarians and others to present "the strongest case to date that the people of West Papua have the right to self-determination under international law".  On 1 August unidentified assailants sprayed a small bus with bullets as i

Forty-eight years after Indonesia took over administration of West Papua from the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority, West Papuans continue to struggle for self-determination. Although West Papua is not often on our front pages, recent events there show that the fight for justice is not about to go away any time soon — even as Indonesian security forces employ increasingly heavy-handed tactics to quell unrest.  Thousands of West Papuans took to the streets in peaceful rallies across the province at the beginning of August calling for a referendum. Also last month, International Lawyers for West Papua held their ‘West Papua — The Road to Freedom’ conference in Oxford, UK . The conference brought together legal experts, parliamentarians and others to present "the strongest case to date that the people of West Papua have the right to self-determination under international law".  On 1 August unidentified assailants sprayed a small bus with bullets as

The people of PNG voted for their respective members to represent them. The PM is chosen from those elected members by numbers; not the GG. An overwhelming majority of the members of Parliament voted to oust Somare and replace him with O'Neill; that means the overwhelming majority of PNGs want Somare gone. If the process was not right then the Supreme Court will rule on it. It is not the prerogative of Michael Somare to bull-doze his way back in. That is the exact behavior that cost him his place in the first place he showed no respect for law or standing orders or correct procedure or the Judiciary. Here he goes again acting like a dictator as if the Parliament belongs to him and his cronies. It belongs to the people and the people have spoken through their duly elected representatives; 70 to 24. The 2007 General Elections was conducted under the rules of the now defunct Integrity of Political party scenario, and the GG did invite him to form the Government I am looking for polit

The people of PNG voted for their respective members to represent them. The PM is chosen from those elected members by numbers; not the GG. An overwhelming majority of the members of Parliament voted to oust Somare and replace him with O'Neill; that means the overwhelming majority of PNGs want Somare gone. If the process was not right then the Supreme Court will rule on it. It is not the prerogative of Michael Somare to bull-doze his way back in. That is the exact behavior that cost him his place in the first place he showed no respect for law or standing orders or correct procedure or the Judiciary. Here he goes again acting like a dictator as if the Parliament belongs to him and his cronies. It belongs to the people and the people have spoken through their duly elected representatives; 70 to 24. The 2007 General Elections was conducted under the rules of the now defunct Integrity of Political party scenario, and the GG did invite him to form the Government I am looking for pol

Mr Mano needs sacking immediately by the new government. Not only because he is one of the remnants of corrupt officers in previous Somare Government but also a close associate of Junior Somare and his cronies. These are additional allegations that deserve immediate suspection & investigation Mr Mano is the sole signatory to many of the alleged transactions by MRDC without approval of Board Mr Mano had a close associate in the Finance Department who was also appointed proxy member to MRDC board representing Prime Minister/PM’s Department for some time. They collaborated in many of the landowners investments making dupious deals without proper board approval. The MRDC management and subsidery landowner companies were used as rubber stamps in many of these dealings. Mr Mano who is half Samberigi and half Mendi has been implicated in the transport of huge arms into Samberigi many years ago. Mr Mano paying himself through his private companies in housing rentals, car hire, air travel a

Mr Mano needs sacking immediately by the new government. Not only because he is one of the remnants of corrupt officers in previous Somare Government but also a close associate of Junior Somare and his cronies. These are additional allegations that deserve immediate suspection & investigation Mr Mano is the sole signatory to many of the alleged transactions by MRDC without approval of Board Mr Mano had a close associate in the Finance Department who was also appointed proxy member to MRDC board representing Prime Minister/PM’s Department for some time. They collaborated in many of the landowners investments making dupious deals without proper board approval. The MRDC management and subsidery landowner companies were used as rubber stamps in many of these dealings. Mr Mano who is half Samberigi and half Mendi has been implicated in the transport of huge arms into Samberigi many years ago. Mr Mano paying himself through his private companies in housing rentals, car hire, air trave

PAPUA New Guinea is entrapped by deeply corrupt politicians who have enriched themselves on resource revenues and Australian aid programs, according to United States diplomatic reports. Australian government officials are reported as saying that generational change in PNG politics following the eventual departure of the ailing founding father and former prime minister Sir Michael Somare is a "false hope" . They describe the PNG government as a ''totally dysfunctional blob'' . The damning assessments of Australia's nearest neighbour and former trust territory are contained in confidential US embassy cables obtained by WikiLeaks and made available to The Saturday Age. In a 2008 briefing the US embassy in Port Moresby noted that resource revenues and Australian aid have served "more to enrich the political elite than to provide social services or infrastructure. There are no large-scale local businessmen, but numerous politicians are relatively well off&

PAPUA New Guinea is entrapped by deeply corrupt politicians who have enriched themselves on resource revenues and Australian aid programs, according to United States diplomatic reports. Australian government officials are reported as saying that generational change in PNG politics following the eventual departure of the ailing founding father and former prime minister Sir Michael Somare is a "false hope" . They describe the PNG government as a ''totally dysfunctional blob'' . The damning assessments of Australia's nearest neighbour and former trust territory are contained in confidential US embassy cables obtained by WikiLeaks and made available to The Saturday Age. In a 2008 briefing the US embassy in Port Moresby noted that resource revenues and Australian aid have served "more to enrich the political elite than to provide social services or infrastructure. There are no large-scale local businessmen, but numerous politicians are relatively well o

This so called Audit Report that was circulated by people with vested political interest, especially known agents of intending candidates for NCD Regional is a fake report. What they did was use the front cover of the Audit Committee Report and put it against selective documents they stole or manage to bribe staff of the Commission to release so as to create an impression that it was an authentic audit report. The NCDC Audit Committee is an Independent Committee. It regularly audits NCDC Accounts and expenses and its finding is presented to the management of NCDC before it is submitted to the Auditor General in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act and the Auditor Generals Act. Neither I nor NCDC Management have anything to hide. We run a transparent regime and we try as much as possible to follow the law and procedures. As far as I am concern, all expenditure expedited under my Chairmanship be it to PNG Gardner or who ever are all in accordance with the law and procedure a

This so called Audit Report that was circulated by people with vested political interest, especially known agents of intending candidates for NCD Regional is a fake report. What they did was use the front cover of the Audit Committee Report and put it against selective documents they stole or manage to bribe staff of the Commission to release so as to create an impression that it was an authentic audit report. The NCDC Audit Committee is an Independent Committee. It regularly audits NCDC Accounts and expenses and its finding is presented to the management of NCDC before it is submitted to the Auditor General in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act and the Auditor Generals Act. Neither I nor NCDC Management have anything to hide. We run a transparent regime and we try as much as possible to follow the law and procedures. As far as I am concern, all expenditure expedited under my Chairmanship be it to PNG Gardner or who ever are all in accordance with the law and procedure

Sir Michael, 75, was "retired" by his family in June over fears for his health – he has had three heart operations since April – and his ability to run the country. They announced his resignation without consulting the veteran politician, who they said was in intensive care and too ill to discuss his future at the time. Since then, parliament voted to declare the position vacant and appoint a replacement, former finance minister Peter O'Neill. But Sir Michael, who had been in parliament for more than 40 years and has served more than 17 years as prime minister, has issued a defiant statement, saying he is willing and able to complete his term and that there had "never been any vacancy in the position of prime minister". "Let me be clear. I am ready, willing and able to complete my term as the only legally elected prime minister of Papua New Guinea," he said. His son, Arthur, said Sir Michael would return to Papua New Guinea at the weekend from Sing

Sir Michael, 75, was "retired" by his family in June over fears for his health – he has had three heart operations since April – and his ability to run the country. They announced his resignation without consulting the veteran politician, who they said was in intensive care and too ill to discuss his future at the time. Since then, parliament voted to declare the position vacant and appoint a replacement, former finance minister Peter O'Neill. But Sir Michael, who had been in parliament for more than 40 years and has served more than 17 years as prime minister, has issued a defiant statement, saying he is willing and able to complete his term and that there had "never been any vacancy in the position of prime minister". "Let me be clear. I am ready, willing and able to complete my term as the only legally elected prime minister of Papua New Guinea," he said. His son, Arthur, said Sir Michael would return to Papua New Guinea at the weeken

I refer to Frank Kolma’s Building Blocks article “Go for the skies, Wartoto” (Aug 29). I must say that as a seasoned and experienced journalist, the thrust of the article is rather mystifying and bizarre. Although he has made considerable effort to justify his purported patriotic stance, it simply is inconceivable that he has attempted to score some brownie points. If this is how to obtain funds from the government, then he has scored a distinction. The article provides an open invitation for people who have political connections to raid the nation’s treasury at anytime they want and often with no moral restraint or legal recourse from the unsuspecting public. The media has an important role to play, considering if that episode ever occurred in Australia, both Paul Tiensten and Eremas Wartoto would be brought before an inquiry. Just spare a thought for the public, who are mostly illiterate, living below the poverty line, cannot afford school fees or access state-of-art medical treatmen