PNGBLOGS

by PAUL AMATIO The recent reshuffle of the senior police hierarchy and command should not really surprise many. It was mooted earlier by Mr. Baki and has finally been effected. That includes the restructuring of the command structure. I guess that given the expansion in the population of the nation, such a restructuring is timely and beneficial to the constabulary. There only remains the task of finding enough men to fully outfit the various commands – not to mention the infrastructure and logistics required to maintain them and sustain them. But that is a political problem. Will the government give enough funding to ensure that this initiative by the Commissioner indeed fulfils its intention? With the 2017 General Elections around the corner, this structure also makes it much easier in terms of coordination, command and control. The movement of senior officers is also a good move, one would think. Many of those who have been in PHQ need to be moved out so they can effectively imple

by BRYAN KRAMER The Prime Minister's office released a media statement " Prime Minister Hon. Peter O'Neill Highlights the Importance of Political Stability - Notes Supreme Court Decision on Constitutional Amendments" Author of the press statement said the Prime Minister has received the Supreme Court ruling and parties respected the decision but it is important that the reasons behind the amendments are understood as it is an issue that will likely return again in the future. "This legislation was designed to further enhance the stability in the Government of the nation,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said. “This was for current and future Governments. “It should be noted that since the passing of the integrity law that came into effect in 2002, and these further amendments in 2012 and 2013, the country has enjoyed sustained economic growth averaging 8 per cent. “This is largely because of the political stability that is in our country. "As

by BRYAN KRAMER I came across an article and research paper by Dr Bill Standish Consultant, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Group published back 1999. I've pasted a number of extracts from the article that interestingly enough are very much relevant today. CRISIS OF GOVERNMENT: THE SKATE ERA The Skate Government attracted international attention after its most senior ministers were videotaped discussing bribery and thuggery; and other personal scandals shocked the PNG community. Catholic bishops warned of popular revolt against declining levels of government services and increasing social misery and crime. It appeared that the independence of the Central Bank and the Judiciary had been seriously compromised. Having pushed through his harsh yet partly unfunded 1999 Budget, on 4 December 1998 Mr Skate used his numbers to adjourn PNG's National Parliament for over seven months. The effect of this was to delay by five months a motion of no-confidence which the Opp

by BRYAN KRAMER Full bench (5 Judges) of the Supreme Court chaired by the Chief Justice Salamo Injia has upheld former Ombudsman Commission Ila Geno and former Opposition Leader Belden Namah applications challenging the O’Neill Government’s amendments to Section 145 of Constitution relating to a motion of no confidence. Section 145 of the Constitution provides Parliament the power to move a motion of no confidence to remove the Prime Minister; his entire Cabinet (Ministers) or any individual Government Minister. The provision or section sets out the strict procedure or criteria to invoke these powers; which includes the grace period to which a motion of no confidence is prohibited (restricted), notice period required and number of MP’s needed to endorse or sign the notice of motion before Parliament can consider it. Before reporting the specific findings of the Supreme Court ruling I thought it appropriate to first provide some background context and history to help understand the i

by YAKAN LEPAKAILI Combining Corrupt Rulers, False Prophets, Ungodly Priests and Judges Bought with Bribes – Foolishness Prevails and People Perish: We are world apart in terms of time line but similarities make PNG no unique on contrast. I make this comparison in the light of unprecedented level of corruption and proliferation of gross misuse and abuse unhindered by politicians and bureaucrats at massive scale contrasting with successive governments. Corrupt rulers (both politicians & bureaucrats), false prophets, ungodly priests and paying bribes to Judges were norm during the reign of King Jotham (739 - 731 B.C) in the ancient past can’t be ignored as historical facts for school of thought. Corruption riddled infamous O’Neil regime is well and truly aided by members of the judiciary adding new dimension in the fight against corruption and in so doing, institutionalising corruption and weakening the agency’s (Fraud Squad) efforts to fight corruption whilst minority few (OC,

by JOHN KEGENGA GUGL King James Version Bible was brought in by the Politicians, their faith will be Tested by the People on Independence day. Are they really changed or is it for political convenience? Everyone must go to the Parliament and demand all our politicians and bureaucrats since 1975 to current regime must come forward and say sorry for misleading us in the wilderness for last 40 years in our resources rich country. Why wasting time celebrating the pain and Nightmare caused by their bad decisions and corruption. Some examples of their very bad and corrupted decisions we really feel the pain in our hearts are as follows: 1. Devaluation of kina currency in 1994 by Sir Julius Chan have inflated the skyrocketing price of basic goods and services as a result a poor mother can not afford to send her beloved child or children to bed without decent meal. Nightmare housing rental and etc, 2. Open up the influx gate in Look North Policy in 1987 by Paias Wingti have flooded

NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE An advertisement by NASFUND’s Board of Directors on 8th June on the issuance of Sovereign Community Infrastructure Treasury Bills (SCITB) relating to projects in Kokopo District, has raised more questions than answers. The National Research Institute which is mandated to carry out research, analyze policy issues and propose ideas affecting the development of PNG, maintains that the issuance of the ‘Kokopo Community Infrastructure Treasury Bill’ and the arrangements for the expenditure of these funds is illegal. This article serves to inform and create debate and discussion among the wider public for a better understanding of the implications of the SCITB. It also calls on responsible authorities to clarify and take appropriate action. Legality of Borrowing The National Parliament is the approving authority for any forms of borrowing and loans negotiated and taken out by the Executive Government. The Executive Government draws up a mo