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Thatcherism, economic ideas and Papua New Guinea

By SEAN JACOBS The death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has caused a brief moment of pause and reflection throughout the world. Renowned globally for her convictions, Thatcher's economic policies discouraged inflation, introduced flexibility into the labour market, limited state ownership of enterprise and, in doing so, helped banish the cloud of economic malaise that hung over Britain in the 1970s. The philosophy behind this set of policy ideas – now known as Thatcherism – had clear proponents in intellectual heavyweights like Milton Friedman and, by overlapping with Reagaonomics, resulted in powerful repercussions in economic thinking beyond Britain throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the import of similar Thatcher-type ideas into the plans of fiscal policymakers and political leaders, although late and incomplete, is apparent in some of PNG's economic policies. It is worth reflecting briefly on the impact of these ideas in PNG. The

Thatcherism, economic ideas and Papua New Guinea

By SEAN JACOBS The death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has caused a brief moment of pause and reflection throughout the world. Renowned globally for her convictions, Thatcher's economic policies discouraged inflation, introduced flexibility into the labour market, limited state ownership of enterprise and, in doing so, helped banish the cloud of economic malaise that hung over Britain in the 1970s. The philosophy behind this set of policy ideas – now known as Thatcherism – had clear proponents in intellectual heavyweights like Milton Friedman and, by overlapping with Reagaonomics, resulted in powerful repercussions in economic thinking beyond Britain throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the import of similar Thatcher-type ideas into the plans of fiscal policymakers and political leaders, although late and incomplete, is apparent in some of PNG's economic policies. It is worth reflecting briefly on the impact of these ideas in

Alleged PNG crime boss on 457 visa wanted over theft of $30m

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Fairfax Media/Sydney Morning Herald An alleged crime boss wanted in Papua New Guinea over the theft of $30 million has used a 457 visa issued by the Australian government to avoid arrest and prosecution. Eremas Wartoto, accused of being one of PNG's most corrupt figures by anti-graft authorities, has been living in Cairns since mid-2011. He obtained a 457 visa, the foreign skilled worker visa at the centre of a Gillard government crackdown, after learning PNG authorities planned to charge him in August 2011. Since then, Mr Wartoto has claimed to be too ill to face trial in Port Moresby over serious criminal charges laid against him in absentia two years ago. Advertisement But travel records obtained by Fairfax Media reveal that Mr Wartoto has travelled to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji and the Solomon Islands during the past two years and has been able to return to live in Australia each time because of his 457 visa. Mr Wartoto returned to PNG on Wednesday after Fairfax Media

Alleged PNG crime boss on 457 visa wanted over theft of $30m

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Fairfax Media/Sydney Morning Herald An alleged crime boss wanted in Papua New Guinea over the theft of $30 million has used a 457 visa issued by the Australian government to avoid arrest and prosecution. Eremas Wartoto, accused of being one of PNG's most corrupt figures by anti-graft authorities, has been living in Cairns since mid-2011. He obtained a 457 visa, the foreign skilled worker visa at the centre of a Gillard government crackdown, after learning PNG authorities planned to charge him in August 2011. Since then, Mr Wartoto has claimed to be too ill to face trial in Port Moresby over serious criminal charges laid against him in absentia two years ago. Advertisement But travel records obtained by Fairfax Media reveal that Mr Wartoto has travelled to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji and the Solomon Islands during the past two years and has been able to return to live in Australia each time because of his 457 visa. Mr Wartoto returned to PNG on Wednesday after Fai

Government and SOPAC ignoring communities

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Press Release: Government and SOPAC ignoring communities Papua New Guinea's major NGOs say their government and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community are continuing to ignore the wishes of Pacific people in their rush to allow experimental seabed mining. "Most impact communities in PNG are still strongly against experimental seabed mining" says Rosa Koian from Bismarck Ramu Group, who has travelled extensively through New Ireland and New Britain talking to local people. The PNG government has not provided a promised response to a community petition with over 20,000 signatures opposing ESM, which was presented to Mining Minister Byron Chan last year. Instead the government last week held meetings with SOPAC, a division of SPC, to discuss new laws to allow ESM. "We know SOPAC is being paid by the European Union to push the agenda of the foreign owned mining industry", says Effrey Dademo from community advocacy group ACT NOW! which helped organise the petition.

Government and SOPAC ignoring communities

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Press Release: Government and SOPAC ignoring communities Papua New Guinea's major NGOs say their government and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community are continuing to ignore the wishes of Pacific people in their rush to allow experimental seabed mining. "Most impact communities in PNG are still strongly against experimental seabed mining" says Rosa Koian from Bismarck Ramu Group, who has travelled extensively through New Ireland and New Britain talking to local people. The PNG government has not provided a promised response to a community petition with over 20,000 signatures opposing ESM, which was presented to Mining Minister Byron Chan last year. Instead the government last week held meetings with SOPAC, a division of SPC, to discuss new laws to allow ESM. "We know SOPAC is being paid by the European Union to push the agenda of the foreign owned mining industry", says Effrey Dademo from community advocacy group ACT NOW! which helped organise

Papua New Guinea Draws Interest in Energy Projects

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Wall Street Journal Foreign governments are intensifying efforts to win influence in Papua New Guinea, as the impoverished South Pacific nation best known for its jungles and tribal society prepares to become one of the world's newest significant energy producers. When Julia Gillard lands on Thursday in Port Moresby, the capital, for the first visit by an Australian prime minister in four years, she will be following visits earlier this year by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and a U.K. government minister. China, too, has made little secret of its desire to secure diplomatic weight in Papua New Guinea, offering nearly $3 billion in loans for infrastructure projects last year and signing a long-term deal to buy a chunk of the country's first exports of natural gas. Defense and deeper economic ties will top the agenda during Ms. Gillard's visit. Australian officials have also been advising their Papua New Guinea counterparts on establishing a new sovereign-wealth fun

Papua New Guinea Draws Interest in Energy Projects

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Wall Street Journal Foreign governments are intensifying efforts to win influence in Papua New Guinea, as the impoverished South Pacific nation best known for its jungles and tribal society prepares to become one of the world's newest significant energy producers. When Julia Gillard lands on Thursday in Port Moresby, the capital, for the first visit by an Australian prime minister in four years, she will be following visits earlier this year by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and a U.K. government minister. China, too, has made little secret of its desire to secure diplomatic weight in Papua New Guinea, offering nearly $3 billion in loans for infrastructure projects last year and signing a long-term deal to buy a chunk of the country's first exports of natural gas. Defense and deeper economic ties will top the agenda during Ms. Gillard's visit. Australian officials have also been advising their Papua New Guinea counterparts on establishing a new sovereign-we

Deal with all levels of crime

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Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has made it his mission to come down hard on the escalating crime rate. Last week the front page of The National had the headline “PM declares war on crime” and the story listed five points or measures that the prime minister would implement in the soonest possible timeframe. Heading these measures was implementation of the death penalty, life sentences or longer prison terms for rapists, the repealing of the Sorcery Act, a mandatory 20-year sentence for breaching a provincial or state liquor ban and lengthy incarceration for drug-related offences. These measures have been endorsed and approved by the National Executive Council and will become law in due course. A press statement from the prime minister yesterday said: “The NEC has approved a legislative action plan to address rising community concerns about high levels of violent crimes in the country.” O’Neill said laws would be drafted to increase the penalties for violent crimes such as rape and murder.

Deal with all levels of crime

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Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has made it his mission to come down hard on the escalating crime rate. Last week the front page of The National had the headline “PM declares war on crime” and the story listed five points or measures that the prime minister would implement in the soonest possible timeframe. Heading these measures was implementation of the death penalty, life sentences or longer prison terms for rapists, the repealing of the Sorcery Act, a mandatory 20-year sentence for breaching a provincial or state liquor ban and lengthy incarceration for drug-related offences. These measures have been endorsed and approved by the National Executive Council and will become law in due course. A press statement from the prime minister yesterday said: “The NEC has approved a legislative action plan to address rising community concerns about high levels of violent crimes in the country.” O’Neill said laws would be drafted to increase the penalties for violent crimes such as rape

PM SEEKS AUSSIE VISA OVERHAUL

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PNG's prime minister says Australia's visa system is unfair and is driving PNG's citizens to choose Asia for business and education opportunities. Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, says Australia's visa system is unfair and is driving PNG's citizens to choose Asia over Australia when looking for business, education and other opportunities. Australia eased its onerous visa process for Papua New Guineans in March. LISTEN TO AUDIO HERE But Mr O'Neill has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat many of the questions asked are still unnecessary. "I think it is grossly unfair that our citizens are being subjected to such scrutiny that it's unwarranted," he said. Mr O'Neill says Australia is missing out on business and other travellers. "We are seeing an increasing number of Papua New Guineans going towards Asia more than going towards Australia for such treatments in medical, even education." Mr O'Neill has urged

PM SEEKS AUSSIE VISA OVERHAUL

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PNG's prime minister says Australia's visa system is unfair and is driving PNG's citizens to choose Asia for business and education opportunities. Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, says Australia's visa system is unfair and is driving PNG's citizens to choose Asia over Australia when looking for business, education and other opportunities. Australia eased its onerous visa process for Papua New Guineans in March. LISTEN TO AUDIO HERE But Mr O'Neill has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat many of the questions asked are still unnecessary. "I think it is grossly unfair that our citizens are being subjected to such scrutiny that it's unwarranted," he said. Mr O'Neill says Australia is missing out on business and other travellers. "We are seeing an increasing number of Papua New Guineans going towards Asia more than going towards Australia for such treatments in medical, even education." Mr O

War on Corruption or Crime

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By LUCAS KIAP The rest of the country has joined the bandwagon of the government and the opposition to declare war on crime in Papua New Guinea – in response to the recent surge in violent crimes across the country. Sadly, we have waited too long only to react after so many innocent and precious lives have been taken away prematurely by those who have no regard for human life nor understand their own existence in our human society. Nothing we say or do now will ever replace nor return those lives. Only time will tell if our (as usual) reactive measures by legislating and imposing tougher penalties will deter future offenders or not – the most server being the death penalty. Before jumping on the bandwagon, there are critical and fundamental questions still remain and need to be asked and answered if we are to find a lasting solution but in reality that will be impossible. In countries such as the USA where the death penalty is applied, it never prevents offenders from committing such c

War on Corruption or Crime

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By LUCAS KIAP The rest of the country has joined the bandwagon of the government and the opposition to declare war on crime in Papua New Guinea – in response to the recent surge in violent crimes across the country. Sadly, we have waited too long only to react after so many innocent and precious lives have been taken away prematurely by those who have no regard for human life nor understand their own existence in our human society. Nothing we say or do now will ever replace nor return those lives. Only time will tell if our (as usual) reactive measures by legislating and imposing tougher penalties will deter future offenders or not – the most server being the death penalty. Before jumping on the bandwagon, there are critical and fundamental questions still remain and need to be asked and answered if we are to find a lasting solution but in reality that will be impossible. In countries such as the USA where the death penalty is applied, it never prevents offenders from committing su

Papua New Guinea Witchcraft Killings: Government Considers Firing Squad Executions

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Following a number of high-profile killings related to sorcery, Papua New Guinea's government is pushing for the South Pacific nation's first execution and says firing squads would be a humane and inexpensive method. Papua New Guinea's laws allow for the death penalty and about 10 condemned inmates are currently in prison there, but the country was a colony of its near neighbor Australia when the last prisoner was executed – by hanging – in 1954. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said on Wednesday that legislation will be introduced when Parliament resumes in two weeks that would allow the country to implement the death penalty. "Among the methods discussed include death by firing squad, which was considered more humane and inexpensive than other methods," O'Neill said in a statement following a Cabinet meeting Wednesday. He said an "execution center" would be attached to a new prison to be built in a remote location. The prime minister's office d

Papua New Guinea Witchcraft Killings: Government Considers Firing Squad Executions

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Following a number of high-profile killings related to sorcery, Papua New Guinea's government is pushing for the South Pacific nation's first execution and says firing squads would be a humane and inexpensive method. Papua New Guinea's laws allow for the death penalty and about 10 condemned inmates are currently in prison there, but the country was a colony of its near neighbor Australia when the last prisoner was executed – by hanging – in 1954. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said on Wednesday that legislation will be introduced when Parliament resumes in two weeks that would allow the country to implement the death penalty. "Among the methods discussed include death by firing squad, which was considered more humane and inexpensive than other methods," O'Neill said in a statement following a Cabinet meeting Wednesday. He said an "execution center" would be attached to a new prison to be built in a remote location. The prime minister'

Death by Firing Squad

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PAPUA New Guinea's government is considering implementing death by firing squad as it moves towards toughening penalties for violent crime. PNG's National Executive Council - a cabinet-like body - agreed on Wednesday to bring a series of bills aimed at toughening the PNG criminal code to parliament when it meets in two weeks. The changes will also activate the nation's existing death penalty, scrap its controversial sorcery act and dramatically increase sentences for rape and armed robbery. PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says the level of serious crime in the community is unacceptable, particularly crimes of sexual nature and murder. "The heinous behaviours are perpetrated by a few but the country at large is made to suffer. We must act now to protect the majority," he said in a statement. "The proposed laws are tough but they are necessary. We have to address a situation that is destroying our country." Under the proposed laws, rape will now mean

Death by Firing Squad

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PAPUA New Guinea's government is considering implementing death by firing squad as it moves towards toughening penalties for violent crime. PNG's National Executive Council - a cabinet-like body - agreed on Wednesday to bring a series of bills aimed at toughening the PNG criminal code to parliament when it meets in two weeks. The changes will also activate the nation's existing death penalty, scrap its controversial sorcery act and dramatically increase sentences for rape and armed robbery. PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says the level of serious crime in the community is unacceptable, particularly crimes of sexual nature and murder. "The heinous behaviours are perpetrated by a few but the country at large is made to suffer. We must act now to protect the majority," he said in a statement. "The proposed laws are tough but they are necessary. We have to address a situation that is destroying our country." Under the proposed laws, rape

MEDIA FREEDOM MUST PREVAIL IN PNG

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By BELDEN NAMAH MP, I welcome Prime Minister Peter O’Neil’s decision to file a defamation suit against me. It is not surprising for Peter O’Neill to be reactive to issues that the Opposition has brought to light in recent times. It is the traditional role of the Opposition to criticise, oppose, speculate and to even take pre-emptive measures on issues that concern the welfare of our people. We are duty bound to keep the government and its leaders including the Prime Minister in check, so why is Mr O’Neill running to the courts when we are debating corruption at the National Government level? I have as a leader tolerated wild, unfounded and even malicious allegations levelled against me in the media, yet, I have not sued the perpetrators or any media organisation for reporting such allegations. I have and will always respect media freedom and freedom of expression in this country and I expect Peter O’Neill and other leaders to do likewise. My grave concern is that we now have a Prime Mi

MEDIA FREEDOM MUST PREVAIL IN PNG

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By BELDEN NAMAH MP, I welcome Prime Minister Peter O’Neil’s decision to file a defamation suit against me. It is not surprising for Peter O’Neill to be reactive to issues that the Opposition has brought to light in recent times. It is the traditional role of the Opposition to criticise, oppose, speculate and to even take pre-emptive measures on issues that concern the welfare of our people. We are duty bound to keep the government and its leaders including the Prime Minister in check, so why is Mr O’Neill running to the courts when we are debating corruption at the National Government level? I have as a leader tolerated wild, unfounded and even malicious allegations levelled against me in the media, yet, I have not sued the perpetrators or any media organisation for reporting such allegations. I have and will always respect media freedom and freedom of expression in this country and I expect Peter O’Neill and other leaders to do likewise. My grave concern is that we now

PM declares war on crime

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WILL IT WORK? PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday declared war on the escalating law and order situation which in recent weeks had brought great shame to PNG and international condemnation. The measures will include:     Immediate implementation of the death penalty;     Life sentence without parole for rape;     Repealing of the Sorcery Act to make it more effective in the fight against sorcery-related murders;     Twenty-year jail sentence for the breach of liquor laws including the making of homebrew,     Fifty-year jail sentence for drug-related offences including growing and selling of marijuana.   A high-risk prison on an isolated island is also high on the agenda in today’s cabinet meeting. He told reporters that cabinet would meet today to discuss this troubling issue, with lawyers already being instructed to draw up legislation which would be further debated in the May session of parliament. “There will be maximum penalties that have never been seen before in this country,”

PM declares war on crime

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WILL IT WORK? PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday declared war on the escalating law and order situation which in recent weeks had brought great shame to PNG and international condemnation. The measures will include:     Immediate implementation of the death penalty;     Life sentence without parole for rape;     Repealing of the Sorcery Act to make it more effective in the fight against sorcery-related murders;     Twenty-year jail sentence for the breach of liquor laws including the making of homebrew,     Fifty-year jail sentence for drug-related offences including growing and selling of marijuana.   A high-risk prison on an isolated island is also high on the agenda in today’s cabinet meeting. He told reporters that cabinet would meet today to discuss this troubling issue, with lawyers already being instructed to draw up legislation which would be further debated in the May session of parliament. “There will be maximum penalties that have never been seen before in this c