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PM & MINISTER POK STUNNED BY OPPOSITION DURING QUESTION TIME

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Corrupt past brought to parliament,  Fabian PORK By Graham Tenaen Robinson   As the parliament bell rang this morning both Government and Opposition MPs turned out with a good representation of 70% in attendance. The opposition through deputy opposition leader Hon. Sam Basil did not waste time during Q & A on the floor of parliament as he made reference to the Commission of Inquiry set up by Rt Hon. Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in June 2006 into the Investment Corporation Fund of PNG including the new Pacific Balanced Fund that reported a write off a write-off of shareholder funds amounting to K37 million. The staggering amount is part of 11 terms of reference relating to Administrative and Financial Management Procedure, Appointment of Trustee, Managers including other issues. Member for Bulolo and Deputy Opposition Leader Hon. Sam Basil asked Prime Minister O’Neill when he was going to provide directions as per the findings and Recommendations of the COI Report into the Invest

PM & MINISTER POK STUNNED BY OPPOSITION DURING QUESTION TIME

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Corrupt past brought to parliament,  Fabian PORK By Graham Tenaen Robinson   As the parliament bell rang this morning both Government and Opposition MPs turned out with a good representation of 70% in attendance. The opposition through deputy opposition leader Hon. Sam Basil did not waste time during Q & A on the floor of parliament as he made reference to the Commission of Inquiry set up by Rt Hon. Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in June 2006 into the Investment Corporation Fund of PNG including the new Pacific Balanced Fund that reported a write off a write-off of shareholder funds amounting to K37 million. The staggering amount is part of 11 terms of reference relating to Administrative and Financial Management Procedure, Appointment of Trustee, Managers including other issues. Member for Bulolo and Deputy Opposition Leader Hon. Sam Basil asked Prime Minister O’Neill when he was going to provide directions as per the findings and Recommendations of the COI Report into

2013 Budget Blowout – PNG Red Alert

By NATHAN DINGU It has occurred to me that most Papua New Guineans do not comprehend the meaning of a budget blowout and a lessening GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Well the true fact is that this is happening in Papua New Guinea right as we speak. James Marape, Minister for Education and Finance has recently announced that PNG shall be in budget deficit by as much as K2.4 billion. Of which PNG shall seek both internal and external funding of this. A Budget deficit occurs mainly as a result of a lessening GDP, which literally means more government spending on top of a declining revenue sector. What does this tell the average Papua New Guinean? We are currently facing a situation whereby there will be: - Less business revenue resulting in more unemployment - Possibility of hyper inflation - More Borrowings by the government to cover expenditure in 2013 resulting in - More borrowings by the government by 2014 What is the government doing about this? They are spending more in free health a

2013 Budget Blowout – PNG Red Alert

By NATHAN DINGU It has occurred to me that most Papua New Guineans do not comprehend the meaning of a budget blowout and a lessening GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Well the true fact is that this is happening in Papua New Guinea right as we speak. James Marape, Minister for Education and Finance has recently announced that PNG shall be in budget deficit by as much as K2.4 billion. Of which PNG shall seek both internal and external funding of this. A Budget deficit occurs mainly as a result of a lessening GDP, which literally means more government spending on top of a declining revenue sector. What does this tell the average Papua New Guinean? We are currently facing a situation whereby there will be: - Less business revenue resulting in more unemployment - Possibility of hyper inflation - More Borrowings by the government to cover expenditure in 2013 resulting in - More borrowings by the government by 2014 What is the government doing about this? They are spending more in free health

PNG happy to keep fugitives and crooks and willing to deport professionals

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Post Courier PM will order a "Will Look into It" enquiry Usual for a PM who is keen on keeping a known fugitive in his shadows. UNITECH Vice Chancellor Dr Albert Schram was on Air Niugini flight PX 393 which departed Singapore on the evening of Thursday, February 7, and arrived in Port Moresby the next morning on Friday, February 8, at 8am. Upon arrival, he was forcibly put on another Air Niugini flight PX 5 to Brisbane the same day at 1.30pm. He is in Brisbane and plans to travel to Canberra to meet with the head of the European Union delegation to Australia and the Netherlands Ambassador to talk to them about his deportation from PNG. He also plans to meet with the AusAID official in charge of higher education in PNG about the same matter. Dr Schram believes his deportation is the result of this article which was published in the Post-Courier. The Prime Minister is believed to have been upset by this article and it is alleged that he may have given directions for Dr Schram

PNG happy to keep fugitives and crooks and willing to deport professionals

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Post Courier PM will order a "Will Look into It" enquiry Usual for a PM who is keen on keeping a known fugitive in his shadows. UNITECH Vice Chancellor Dr Albert Schram was on Air Niugini flight PX 393 which departed Singapore on the evening of Thursday, February 7, and arrived in Port Moresby the next morning on Friday, February 8, at 8am. Upon arrival, he was forcibly put on another Air Niugini flight PX 5 to Brisbane the same day at 1.30pm. He is in Brisbane and plans to travel to Canberra to meet with the head of the European Union delegation to Australia and the Netherlands Ambassador to talk to them about his deportation from PNG. He also plans to meet with the AusAID official in charge of higher education in PNG about the same matter. Dr Schram believes his deportation is the result of this article which was published in the Post-Courier. The Prime Minister is believed to have been upset by this article and it is alleged that he may have given directions f

DANGEROUS CONCENTRATION OF POWER

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By Waigani Observer History speaks so much about the dangers of power being concentrated in only one region or person, and so is this note, to remind the many Papua New Guineans about the imminent backlash, if we are not careful with distribution of power and wealth. Having reflected on the distribution of balance of power in the current O’Neil-led government, it is becoming more and more visible that power and the custodianship of the country’s wealth, is centred around the Upper Highlands of the country. To prove this point, one just has to look at the distribution of ministries. The economic ministerial powerbase which includes the Finance, Treasury, Works, Foreign Affairs, Petroleum and Energy and Environment and Conservation to a lesser extent, are all concentrated in just one region or corner of the country.  Their next door neighbours from the Eastern Block who contribute 19 votes in support of the current government, in the meantime, are feted with only three ser

DANGEROUS CONCENTRATION OF POWER

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By Waigani Observer History speaks so much about the dangers of power being concentrated in only one region or person, and so is this note, to remind the many Papua New Guineans about the imminent backlash, if we are not careful with distribution of power and wealth. Having reflected on the distribution of balance of power in the current O’Neil-led government, it is becoming more and more visible that power and the custodianship of the country’s wealth, is centred around the Upper Highlands of the country. To prove this point, one just has to look at the distribution of ministries. The economic ministerial powerbase which includes the Finance, Treasury, Works, Foreign Affairs, Petroleum and Energy and Environment and Conservation to a lesser extent, are all concentrated in just one region or corner of the country.  Their next door neighbours from the Eastern Block who contribute 19 votes in support of the current government, in the meantime, are fete

Opposition to reveal dark side of Prime Minister O'Neill, restart NPF,

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Opposition to reveal dark side of Prime Minister O'Neill, restart NPF,

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U.N. Calls on Papua New Guinea to Curb Violence After Burning Death of Woman

NEW YORK TIMES GENEVA — Spurred by the killing this week of a young woman accused of witchcraft in Papua New Guinea , the United Nations on Friday called on the country to address increasing vigilante violence against people accused of sorcery and to revoke a controversial sorcery law The killing in Mount Hagen, the Western Highlands provincial capital, reportedly was carried out by relatives of a 6-year-old boy who, they claimed, had been killed by her sorcery. The crowd blocked police officers and firefighters who tried to intervene . “This case adds to the growing pattern of vigilante attacks and killings of persons accused of sorcery in Papua New Guinea,” Cecile Pouilly, a spokeswoman for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters in Geneva. Ms. Pouilly said that police were continuing their investigation of a case in Jiwaka Province in November, when people held three women and two men for 20 days for allegedly using sorcery to kill ano

U.N. Calls on Papua New Guinea to Curb Violence After Burning Death of Woman

NEW YORK TIMES GENEVA — Spurred by the killing this week of a young woman accused of witchcraft in Papua New Guinea , the United Nations on Friday called on the country to address increasing vigilante violence against people accused of sorcery and to revoke a controversial sorcery law The killing in Mount Hagen, the Western Highlands provincial capital, reportedly was carried out by relatives of a 6-year-old boy who, they claimed, had been killed by her sorcery. The crowd blocked police officers and firefighters who tried to intervene . “This case adds to the growing pattern of vigilante attacks and killings of persons accused of sorcery in Papua New Guinea,” Cecile Pouilly, a spokeswoman for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters in Geneva. Ms. Pouilly said that police were continuing their investigation of a case in Jiwaka Province in November, when people held three women and two men for 20 days for allegedly using sorcer

Vanuatu’s Phocea scandal embroils PNG hierarchy

Radio New Zealand Conflicting accounts continue to come in about the controversial recent visit to Papua New Guinea by two Vanuatu diplomatic representatives and the country’s Foreign Minister. PNG police and customs officials detained the passports of diplomatic representatives Pascal Anh Quan Saken and his brother Charles Henry Saken after the private jet they flew in arrived without proper clearance. Mr Saken is the owner of the super yacht Phocea which was detained in Vanuatu in July, originally on suspicion of guns and drugs smuggling, and remains seized by the Ports Authority because it has forged documents. Johnny Blades reports that the Phocea scandal, which continues to implicate members of Vanuatu’s Sato Kilman-led government, has also embroiled PNG’s top leadership. —————————– Vanuatu’s government has been tight-lipped about the PNG liaison between its Foreign Minister Alfred Carlot and the two Sakens, saying it had no knowledge of their meeting. However shortly before the c

Vanuatu’s Phocea scandal embroils PNG hierarchy

Radio New Zealand Conflicting accounts continue to come in about the controversial recent visit to Papua New Guinea by two Vanuatu diplomatic representatives and the country’s Foreign Minister. PNG police and customs officials detained the passports of diplomatic representatives Pascal Anh Quan Saken and his brother Charles Henry Saken after the private jet they flew in arrived without proper clearance. Mr Saken is the owner of the super yacht Phocea which was detained in Vanuatu in July, originally on suspicion of guns and drugs smuggling, and remains seized by the Ports Authority because it has forged documents. Johnny Blades reports that the Phocea scandal, which continues to implicate members of Vanuatu’s Sato Kilman-led government, has also embroiled PNG’s top leadership. —————————– Vanuatu’s government has been tight-lipped about the PNG liaison between its Foreign Minister Alfred Carlot and the two Sakens, saying it had no knowledge of their meeting. However shortly

OPPOSITION TO TAKE COURT INJUNCTION AGAINST PARLIAMENTARY VOTE OF THE 30 MONTHS GRACE PERIOD

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By Graham Tenaen Robinson Opposition Leader Hon. Belden Norman Namah during press conference this afternoon highlighted to effect, a legal proceeding underway through a court injunction preventing a parliamentary vote of the 30 Month Grace Period this week. Investigations by the opposition revealed damning evidence that the 30 month Grace Period was pushed by corporate interest and heavily tied with personal connections. “There are companies in Papua New Guinea tied to this 30 Months Grace Period,” the Opposition Leader claimed. A list of examples included the K6 billion Loan from China, triggered by Ni Cragnolini, wife of LNA Construction Owner Luciano Cragnolini who was sorely responsible for orchestrating the deal between the PNG Government and EXIM bank in China. “Corporate Greed is controlling our Government,” and further provided examples of contracts given to LNA Construction such as the maintenance renovation and LNA Construction renovated maintenance of Morauta Haus including

OPPOSITION TO TAKE COURT INJUNCTION AGAINST PARLIAMENTARY VOTE OF THE 30 MONTHS GRACE PERIOD

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By Graham Tenaen Robinson Opposition Leader Hon. Belden Norman Namah during press conference this afternoon highlighted to effect, a legal proceeding underway through a court injunction preventing a parliamentary vote of the 30 Month Grace Period this week. Investigations by the opposition revealed damning evidence that the 30 month Grace Period was pushed by corporate interest and heavily tied with personal connections. “There are companies in Papua New Guinea tied to this 30 Months Grace Period,” the Opposition Leader claimed. A list of examples included the K6 billion Loan from China, triggered by Ni Cragnolini, wife of LNA Construction Owner Luciano Cragnolini who was sorely responsible for orchestrating the deal between the PNG Government and EXIM bank in China. “Corporate Greed is controlling our Government,” and further provided examples of contracts given to LNA Construction such as the maintenance renovation and LNA Construction renovated maintenance of Morauta Ha

Papua New Guinea bureaucrats warned of prime minister impostors

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Papua New Guinea's civil servants have been warned to be wary of impostors claiming to represent the new prime minister, as the Pacific state aims to clamp down on corruption.  Politicians will also have to clock in and clock out of parliament under new measures to clean up the "dysfunctional" government. Following the unveiling of the anti-corruption measures by the Papua New Guinea government led by Peter O'Neill, thieves on Monday ransacked an office belonging to the Commonwealth nation's anti-corruption task force. Mr O'Neill was elected last year after a standoff with the veteran leader, Sir Michael Somare, which at one time resulted in the country having two prime ministers, two governors-general, two cabinets and two police commissioners. The new government has issued a warning about fraudsters claiming to represent Mr O'Neill in a memorandum to heads of government departments, statutory bodies and state-owned enterprises. "The office of the pr

Papua New Guinea bureaucrats warned of prime minister impostors

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Papua New Guinea's civil servants have been warned to be wary of impostors claiming to represent the new prime minister, as the Pacific state aims to clamp down on corruption.  Politicians will also have to clock in and clock out of parliament under new measures to clean up the "dysfunctional" government. Following the unveiling of the anti-corruption measures by the Papua New Guinea government led by Peter O'Neill, thieves on Monday ransacked an office belonging to the Commonwealth nation's anti-corruption task force. Mr O'Neill was elected last year after a standoff with the veteran leader, Sir Michael Somare, which at one time resulted in the country having two prime ministers, two governors-general, two cabinets and two police commissioners. The new government has issued a warning about fraudsters claiming to represent Mr O'Neill in a memorandum to heads of government departments, statutory bodies and state-owned enterprises. "The office of the

UN says Australia’s PNG refugee camp is ‘inadequate’

AFP A United Nations report on Monday criticised Australia’s immigration camp on Papua New Guinea, warning living conditions are harsh and asylum-seekers’ detention arbitrary. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees called for no more children to be sent to the camp on remote Manus Island, which was established as part of Australia’s plan to ship refugees offshore to deter more from coming. In its report, the UNHCR warned of “very significant inadequacies in the legal and operational framework governing the transfer, treatment and processing” of asylum-seekers. Detaining asylum-seekers on a mandatory and indefinite basis, without possibility for review, amounted to “arbitrary detention which is inconsistent with international human rights law”, it added. Article continues below “The key failing is that there are in place no legal frameworks for the processing of refugee claims,” UNHCR regional representative Richard Towle told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Australian gover

UN says Australia’s PNG refugee camp is ‘inadequate’

AFP A United Nations report on Monday criticised Australia’s immigration camp on Papua New Guinea, warning living conditions are harsh and asylum-seekers’ detention arbitrary. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees called for no more children to be sent to the camp on remote Manus Island, which was established as part of Australia’s plan to ship refugees offshore to deter more from coming. In its report, the UNHCR warned of “very significant inadequacies in the legal and operational framework governing the transfer, treatment and processing” of asylum-seekers. Detaining asylum-seekers on a mandatory and indefinite basis, without possibility for review, amounted to “arbitrary detention which is inconsistent with international human rights law”, it added. Article continues below “The key failing is that there are in place no legal frameworks for the processing of refugee claims,” UNHCR regional representative Richard Towle told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Australian gov

RSF media freedom index warns on Fiji, PNG, praises ‘Burmese spring’

Threats to the media in the South Pacific should not be taken lightly in two Melanesian countries, says the Paris-based global press freedom advocacy group Reporters Sans Frontières. Papua New Guinea has dropped six places to 41st in the latest RSF World Press Freedom Index with the security forces being "regularly involved in attacks on journalists". In Fiji,in spite of a 10-place rise to 107th - explained in part by the decline of other countries in this section of the index, news organisations are threatened under the Media Industry Development Decree with exorbitant fines, or even imprisonment, as in the case of a recently convicted editor of The Fiji Times. Elsewhere in the South Pacific did not rate a mention in the report, which highlighted the "Burmese spring" in the Asia-Pacific region. But among other Pacific Islands Forum countries, New Zealand rose five places to eighth and Australia climbed four places to 26th. Burma was an exception to decline in freed