PNGBLOGS

When the O’Neill/Namah government passed the Judicial Conduct Bill 2012 on March 20, it immediately triggered a national outcry against the introduction of the Bill. It started with the Leader of the Opposition, Dame Carol Kidu, one of only a few number of voices allowed to argue against the Bill in Parliament. Since March 20, the Community Coalition Against Corruption, the PNG Trade Union Congress, the PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Transparency International PNG, have all issued statements calling for the Judicial Conduct Act 2012 to be reconsidered or repealed. In addition, students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) marched peacefully in protest against the Bill on Friday, 23 March to Morauta Haus, where they presented a petition to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff. They are again organising another protest march, and the boycotting of classes today, in tandem with Unitech in Lae and other students enrolled in tertiary institutions around the coun

When the O’Neill/Namah government passed the Judicial Conduct Bill 2012 on March 20, it immediately triggered a national outcry against the introduction of the Bill. It started with the Leader of the Opposition, Dame Carol Kidu, one of only a few number of voices allowed to argue against the Bill in Parliament. Since March 20, the Community Coalition Against Corruption, the PNG Trade Union Congress, the PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Transparency International PNG, have all issued statements calling for the Judicial Conduct Act 2012 to be reconsidered or repealed. In addition, students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) marched peacefully in protest against the Bill on Friday, 23 March to Morauta Haus, where they presented a petition to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff. They are again organising another protest march, and the boycotting of classes today, in tandem with Unitech in Lae and other students enrolled in tertiary institutions a

PRACTICALLY, everyone on the street knows that the National Gaming Control Board has, at one time or another, acted as an extra cash dispenser for the government and its allies over the years. The office, established in 1995 to regulate a fledgling industry, was brought about by the passing of the Gaming Machine Act (1993). Poker machine gaming began in May of 1995 after its introduction was approved by parliament through a Private Members Bill in 1994. Since then, the industry has grown rapidly to become a major revenue earner for the state. In the decade (1995-2005) since its inception, K928.624 million has flowed through the NGCB coffers. This money was generated through gaming taxes, licensing fees and site fees for operators. For a period, operators were required by law to pay 50% of their revenue in taxes. This, perhaps, explains why in spite of initial public resistance to the gaming industry, parliamentarians knew they were sitting on a veritable gold mine and pushed thr

PRACTICALLY, everyone on the street knows that the National Gaming Control Board has, at one time or another, acted as an extra cash dispenser for the government and its allies over the years. The office, established in 1995 to regulate a fledgling industry, was brought about by the passing of the Gaming Machine Act (1993). Poker machine gaming began in May of 1995 after its introduction was approved by parliament through a Private Members Bill in 1994. Since then, the industry has grown rapidly to become a major revenue earner for the state. In the decade (1995-2005) since its inception, K928.624 million has flowed through the NGCB coffers. This money was generated through gaming taxes, licensing fees and site fees for operators. For a period, operators were required by law to pay 50% of their revenue in taxes. This, perhaps, explains why in spite of initial public resistance to the gaming industry, parliamentarians knew they were sitting on a veritable gold mine and pu

Papua New Guinea’s under siege court judges have found an unlikely ally with prisoners threatening to break out of jails en mass “in protest” at the O’Neill government’s Judicial Conduct Act. The country’s jail boss, Correctional Services acting commissioner Martin Balthazar, has told government broadcaster NBC that commanding officers at the country’s 20 prisons have been put on high alert after an inmate called the NBC’s Current Issues program last night to warn the public. The inmate told the radio program that there would be a mass breakout if the government did not repeal the controversial law. Mr Balthazar, who has also come under scrutiny in recent days over allegations one of his female jail wardens had sex 15 times with serial bank robber William Kapris, told NBC that prisoners lost their rights to criticize government policies when they were jailed. "For a prisoner to make such aggressive comments against the constitutional obligations of government then t

Papua New Guinea’s under siege court judges have found an unlikely ally with prisoners threatening to break out of jails en mass “in protest” at the O’Neill government’s Judicial Conduct Act. The country’s jail boss, Correctional Services acting commissioner Martin Balthazar, has told government broadcaster NBC that commanding officers at the country’s 20 prisons have been put on high alert after an inmate called the NBC’s Current Issues program last night to warn the public. The inmate told the radio program that there would be a mass breakout if the government did not repeal the controversial law. Mr Balthazar, who has also come under scrutiny in recent days over allegations one of his female jail wardens had sex 15 times with serial bank robber William Kapris, told NBC that prisoners lost their rights to criticize government policies when they were jailed. "For a prisoner to make such aggressive comments against the constitutional obligations o

The K39m Public Service housing project hit a snag because the materials used are banned in Australia and New Zealand. Australasia Pacific Panel Ltd , a company owned by former diplomat Sir Fredrick Reiher, is now in a protracted dispute with the PNG Government over the delivery of 200 houses for Port Moresby-based public servants. PNG Party President Robert Akunai said yesterday that the dispute is the result of a contract that should never have been signed in the first place. He said the National Works Department has refused to certify the technical aspects of the housing project for a number of reasons. One of these reasons is that Australasia Pacific Panel Ltd company is using material in prefabricated kit homes that are banned in Australia and New Zealand, a claim which was vehemently denied by company chairman and CEO Sir Frederick Reiher yesterday. The material is called polystyrene which the National Capital District Commission building board has recommended to the National Sta

The K39m Public Service housing project hit a snag because the materials used are banned in Australia and New Zealand. Australasia Pacific Panel Ltd , a company owned by former diplomat Sir Fredrick Reiher, is now in a protracted dispute with the PNG Government over the delivery of 200 houses for Port Moresby-based public servants. PNG Party President Robert Akunai said yesterday that the dispute is the result of a contract that should never have been signed in the first place. He said the National Works Department has refused to certify the technical aspects of the housing project for a number of reasons. One of these reasons is that Australasia Pacific Panel Ltd company is using material in prefabricated kit homes that are banned in Australia and New Zealand, a claim which was vehemently denied by company chairman and CEO Sir Frederick Reiher yesterday. The material is called polystyrene which the National Capital District Commission building board has recommended to th

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