PNGBLOGS

Pressure is growing on Papua New Guinea’s O’Neill government to repeal the Judicial Conduct Act with the business community joining civil society and students to condemn its enactment. The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PNGCCI) said the separation of powers was a key component of democratic institutions and the law passed by the O’Neill government last week would see parliament interfering in the conduct of judicial proceedings. “The constitution provides for the separation of powers such that the judiciary is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the politicians and public servants obey the constitution. Actions such as the Judicial Conduct bill attempt to undermine these sacrosanct constitutional arrangements. The law should be repealed and additional resources provided to the Ombudsman Commission to help them do their job using laws that are already in place,” PNGCCI president John Leahy said in a statement last night. The O’Neill governmen

Pressure is growing on Papua New Guinea’s O’Neill government to repeal the Judicial Conduct Act with the business community joining civil society and students to condemn its enactment. The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PNGCCI) said the separation of powers was a key component of democratic institutions and the law passed by the O’Neill government last week would see parliament interfering in the conduct of judicial proceedings. “The constitution provides for the separation of powers such that the judiciary is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the politicians and public servants obey the constitution. Actions such as the Judicial Conduct bill attempt to undermine these sacrosanct constitutional arrangements. The law should be repealed and additional resources provided to the Ombudsman Commission to help them do their job using laws that are already in place,” PNGCCI president John Leahy said in a statement last night. The O’Neill go

Landowners in Papua New Guinea's Hela province have threatened to step up their protest against the liquified natural gas developer, Esso Highlands. Work at the site has been stopped in recent weeks, after the landowners allegedly threatened staff. They want more compensation for the use of their land, saying the project will remain closed unless their demands are met. A former MP and spokesman for the landowners, Sir Alred Kaiabe, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat that workers have been taken advantage of. "It will definitely get worse. Far worse than the Bougainville crisis. We are Highlanders and we are known for fighting. "Fighting is a way of life and we will fight to the day to protect what is theirs if they have been cheated." he said Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has called a special cabinet meeting today to discuss the crisis Sir Alred is advocating a renegotiated settlement to the dispute. Now the government and develop

Landowners in Papua New Guinea's Hela province have threatened to step up their protest against the liquified natural gas developer, Esso Highlands. Work at the site has been stopped in recent weeks, after the landowners allegedly threatened staff. They want more compensation for the use of their land, saying the project will remain closed unless their demands are met. A former MP and spokesman for the landowners, Sir Alred Kaiabe, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat that workers have been taken advantage of. "It will definitely get worse. Far worse than the Bougainville crisis. We are Highlanders and we are known for fighting. "Fighting is a way of life and we will fight to the day to protect what is theirs if they have been cheated." he said Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has called a special cabinet meeting today to discuss the crisis Sir Alred is advocating a renegotiated settlement to the dispute. Now the government and develop

Philip Kikala's son voiced what must now be on every Engan’s mind: There have been too many 'coincidences' as of late. Many Engans,especially the ones in some sort of important or influential position -are getting kicked in the rear end from this fraudulent 'government' .  Engans are of course known for their bad habit of dishing back double measure. They may be divided at the best of times but they do unite quickly when they need to. Engans do not rollover easily for anyone. But Engans also have much to lose too if they engage with adversity front on. Engans need to remember that for the longer term Enga is miles ahead in its educated manpower reserves, thanks to the foresight of Peter Ipatas. Engans will therefore always feature prominently in the National narrative. Engan or not, Sir Salamo is the best man on guard in PNG now. He and all our good judges will not allow the Rule of Law to disintegrate during their watch.  It is not surprising therefore that two cr

Philip Kikala's son voiced what must now be on every Engan’s mind: There have been too many 'coincidences' as of late. Many Engans,especially the ones in some sort of important or influential position -are getting kicked in the rear end from this fraudulent 'government' .  Engans are of course known for their bad habit of dishing back double measure. They may be divided at the best of times but they do unite quickly when they need to. Engans do not rollover easily for anyone. But Engans also have much to lose too if they engage with adversity front on. Engans need to remember that for the longer term Enga is miles ahead in its educated manpower reserves, thanks to the foresight of Peter Ipatas. Engans will therefore always feature prominently in the National narrative. Engan or not, Sir Salamo is the best man on guard in PNG now. He and all our good judges will not allow the Rule of Law to disintegrate during their watch.  It is not surprising there

PAPUA New Guinea's prime minister will address the nation tomorrow to explain a law giving him controversial new powers.    The government of Peter O'Neill has passed new laws giving it the power to suspend judges, prompting thousands of demonstrators to take to the streets in Port Moresby. The demonstrators converged on the entrance to the University of Papua New Guinea before marching to the rear of government offices to hand the prime minister a petition against the Judicial Conduct Act 2012, which passed parliament on Wednesday. The protesters initially demanded to meet with Mr O'Neill or his deputy Belden Namah, but were instead met behind the government offices by Manasupe Zurenuoc, chief secretary of government. "Tune in to your radios and (TV) stations at 7 o'clock Sunday. The Prime Minister Peter O'Neill will address the country on the issues that you are raising, the issue of the judicial conduct bill," he told the crowd. &quo