PNGBLOGS

In the past on this site I have written about the Independence of the Judiciary as being the cornerstone of our Judiciary, and hence our democracy. I have advocated against interference of politics in our Judiciary. Now, I feel that I need to counter-balance this with examining the question of  independence of the judiciary and personal responsibility and liability of Judges. Whilst the Judiciaries independence from political interference is guaranteed by the Constitution, practically it takes a lot of vigilance and care on the part of both the Judiciary and the Executive government to ensure that this Independence is maintained at all times. The manner in which the National Judicial System can be compromised or tainted or its independence unduly encumbered are far too numerous to mention in a brief article such as this. Even the making of a simple but serious allegation against the courts or individual judges, even if patently untrue, has a way of scarring the air and p

In the past on this site I have written about the Independence of the Judiciary as being the cornerstone of our Judiciary, and hence our democracy. I have advocated against interference of politics in our Judiciary. Now, I feel that I need to counter-balance this with examining the question of  independence of the judiciary and personal responsibility and liability of Judges. Whilst the Judiciaries independence from political interference is guaranteed by the Constitution, practically it takes a lot of vigilance and care on the part of both the Judiciary and the Executive government to ensure that this Independence is maintained at all times. The manner in which the National Judicial System can be compromised or tainted or its independence unduly encumbered are far too numerous to mention in a brief article such as this. Even the making of a simple but serious allegation against the courts or individual judges, even if patently untrue, has a way of scarring the air and

Papua New Guinea and Australia have signed an agreement of zero tolerance to fraud in the multi-million dollar AusAID program. Australia's international aid agency, AusAID provides more than $AU480 million in aid each year to improve PNG's worst health and education outcomes. But the program's been plagued by fraud and corruption from both sides, affecting the delivery of services. PNG's National Planning Minister Sam Basil has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the zero tolerance initiative aims to address those concerns. "Some people have termed it corrupt, or even boomerang aid," he said. "So I think...we are now stepping into the right direction." Mr Basil is confident the new agreement will ensure corrupt officials from both governments are held responsible and prosecuted. "I know that it will build confidence of PNG citizens and the receipients of the aid money and expatriates of Austraia that we are doing something about corrup

Papua New Guinea and Australia have signed an agreement of zero tolerance to fraud in the multi-million dollar AusAID program. Australia's international aid agency, AusAID provides more than $AU480 million in aid each year to improve PNG's worst health and education outcomes. But the program's been plagued by fraud and corruption from both sides, affecting the delivery of services. PNG's National Planning Minister Sam Basil has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the zero tolerance initiative aims to address those concerns. "Some people have termed it corrupt, or even boomerang aid," he said. "So I think...we are now stepping into the right direction." Mr Basil is confident the new agreement will ensure corrupt officials from both governments are held responsible and prosecuted. "I know that it will build confidence of PNG citizens and the receipients of the aid money and expatriates of Austraia that we are doing something

Sir Michael Somare has indicated he might stand for re-election in Papua New Guinea's June poll, although the 75-year-old says age is a factor to consider. Sir Michael, who was deposed last August after nine years as prime minister, is being urged to stand by his supporters. However insiders say the future remains uncertain, as the ongoing political dispute in PNG heads into another round of court battles. "People think they can get me out with their numbers," Sir Michael said on Thursday, referring to the 70-24 vote on the floor of parliament to dump him and form a government under Peter O'Neill. "I am having second thoughts. I want to prove to them that I will come back, not with a few numbers, with a big margin. "You know, age is another thing to consider." One Somare camp insider who asked not to be named said Sir Michael was being urged to stand again by loyalists. "But I don't think he'll do it," the source said. "He

Sir Michael Somare has indicated he might stand for re-election in Papua New Guinea's June poll, although the 75-year-old says age is a factor to consider. Sir Michael, who was deposed last August after nine years as prime minister, is being urged to stand by his supporters. However insiders say the future remains uncertain, as the ongoing political dispute in PNG heads into another round of court battles. "People think they can get me out with their numbers," Sir Michael said on Thursday, referring to the 70-24 vote on the floor of parliament to dump him and form a government under Peter O'Neill. "I am having second thoughts. I want to prove to them that I will come back, not with a few numbers, with a big margin. "You know, age is another thing to consider." One Somare camp insider who asked not to be named said Sir Michael was being urged to stand again by loyalists. "But I don't think he'll do it," the source said.

THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA DEFENCE FORCE has been asked to help conduct arrests, following an investigation into the misuse of public funds in East Sepik province. A plane carrying investigators with a government-appointed Investigation Task Force Sweep Team were prevented from disembarking and told to return to Port Moresby on Wednesday. They were sent to investigate allegations of misuse of public funds under the court-reinstated Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, and the East Sepik provincial governments, and East Sepik Governor, Peter Wararu. Some residents and political supporters have converged at the Wewak airport and told the Air Niugini management to return the investigators and police back to Port Moresby. They claim it was politically motivated when their MP Sir Michael was ousted, and the matter is before the courts again. PNG's Deputy Prime Minister, Belden Namah, has called them acts of terrorism. “I condemn the actions of holding up of the national airlines service to Wew

THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA DEFENCE FORCE has been asked to help conduct arrests, following an investigation into the misuse of public funds in East Sepik province. A plane carrying investigators with a government-appointed Investigation Task Force Sweep Team were prevented from disembarking and told to return to Port Moresby on Wednesday. They were sent to investigate allegations of misuse of public funds under the court-reinstated Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, and the East Sepik provincial governments, and East Sepik Governor, Peter Wararu. Some residents and political supporters have converged at the Wewak airport and told the Air Niugini management to return the investigators and police back to Port Moresby. They claim it was politically motivated when their MP Sir Michael was ousted, and the matter is before the courts again. PNG's Deputy Prime Minister, Belden Namah, has called them acts of terrorism. “I condemn the actions of holding up of the national airlines service to W

By John F.M. Kocsis, Harvard Political Review In one of the coming decades’ most important developments, tensions between the United States and China have begun to escalate on a whole host of new fronts. Prospects for the presidency have soared to new heights of monetary nationalism, the Obama administration has announced plans to station 2,500 marines in the Pacific, and Chinese diplomats have turned up the heat on American allies in the South China Sea. As in all great rivalries, China and America both have proxies whom they support, provided the junior partners act in their interest.  One such proxy nation is Papua New Guinea, the resource-rich Pacific nation whose domestic political instability has made it a surprising focus of American and Chinese geopolitical maneuvering. Of potential flashpoints for conflict in the Pacific arena, Papua New Guinea is generally less studied than its regional counterparts, such as the Philippines and Vietnam.  New Guinean history is