Comments

It's good we got partnered and involved with Real Impact CEO the late Virginia Bruce. The aid to trade, it's a good initiative but Virginia Bruce is gone and we 4 Papua New Guinea SMEs are left alone struggling to trade our products to overseas markets. Is there anyway this aid to trade program be supported for many SMEs across Pacific?

Yes, please go ahead.

A great story. I trust you do not mind if I repost it.

A collaborative report by OCCRP, ABC and Inside PNG showed that Prime Minister James Marape, and William Duma were involved/facilitated the involvement of Mr Matterson in the PNG Ports project. Following the report: 1. James Marape appointed William Duma as State Owned Enterprise (SOE) Minister. As the SOE minister, he oversaw the investigation into PNG Ports contracts including the one awarded to ICTSI. PNG Ports is a SOE. 2. It’s no surprise that the investigation didn’t find any wrong doing when you have the Prime Minister and Minister responsible of PNG Ports accused of the potential crime being investigated. 3. The highly politicised bureaucracy, including appointments of PNG Ports CEOs, means that there’s little independence for these organisations. 4. The vetting process of high profile cases by the police hierarchy means investigations into high profile cases can be unilaterally suppressed by the hierarchy. The police commissioner is appointed by the National Executive Council headed by the Prime Minister. The PNG laws had to be amended by the current government so that the current police commissioner could qualify for the commissioner’s position. Police Commissioner positions were previously reserved for candidates with a tertiary qualification. The current commissioner doesn’t have one because the Police Act was amended and tertiary qualification requirement was abolished. Corruption is so pervasive that the only way meaningful reforms takes place in PNG (apart from Mourata’s efforts) is if it’s driven externally as a condition for loans/grants. The Australian government can use AIIF as a leverage to push for reforms - like what IMF is doing. Australian government is spending Australian tax payers money in PNG. It is only fair for the Australian public that it’s government makes sure the money benefits their PNG, and not go corrupt politicians, officials, and MNCs.

Thank you Christopher.🙏🏽 The bitter fruits of adversaries today is caused by the "1989 Porgera SML Agreement" signed between the PNG Government, The 24 SML Landowner Agents and PJV-Placer Dome. The main negotiation team that brought all parties together to sign the MOU was lead by Mr Kurubu Ipara and Mr Johnathan Paraia. In actual fact the Porgera Gold Mine Agreement was a blunder and lead all Ipili people to suffer the outcomes today. Even the illegal mining known today is another failure caused by the agreement signed in 1989, as well as the human rights abuses and environment degradation issues, which is well known as the "Porgera Gold Mine Legacy Issues" today. The PNG National Government must bring the main negotiators who are still alive today to discuss the 1989 Porgera Gold Mine Agreement and compare to the new agreement to make slight changes from bottom-up level perspective. A proper dialogue system must be established to discuss all Porgera Gold Mine issues. The PNG Mining Act must be drafted and must be compliance to the United Nations Guiding Principles On Business and Human Rights.

I'm from Papua new Guinea and I am really interested please keep me updated

I cannot find the online link for the PEV help please

Hi ,can I apply from my country? I'm traveling to Australia next month for a job.

The regulations also require that applicants have complied with their previous visa conditions. 192.213. Applicants that have previously breached their conditions will not be eligible.

Only if he has comparative thinking to overcome National fiscal policy that is giving priority to the politicians to become major stakeholders to the Porgera Mine. For instance, 51% of ownership is mainly by politicians. From 51%, there should be a different long-term investment fund to cater for next 20 -50 years time. Because, I don't think PDDA or PDA's trust account can sustain development for Porgera Payala in the future. Such long-term investment fund should be checked by external auditors every year as mentioned by Andrew Anton Mako above. Through this long-term investment, Porgera Payala and Enga Province would have economic prosperity in near future. Please, let's do away with these politicians who are becoming main shareholders but have no long-term investment plans.

Thanks Anna. The Griffiths Asia blog put up the longer study of the proposed Vanuatu legislation at https://blogs.griffith.edu.au/asiainsights/some-thoughts-on-the-proposed-vanuatu-party-laws/.

Yes, provided you are from one of the participating countries, definitely. The potential list of participating countries is in the article. Most countries are expected to participate, but not necessarily all. We'll definitely provide an update when the list of participating countries is known.