Comments

Hi David, I hope the investigation initiated by the government also uncovers sexual assault on women during the riots. I heard stories about it on social media, but was not reported by the mainstream media, so it wasn't include in the blog.

Hi Warren, I agree with your view on land reforms for development in PNG. Land scarcity (given more than 90% is customary owned) is a key determinant of the high cost of production (rent) in the country - which contributes to high price of goods and services, and generally holds back development in the country. It is a complex issue to deal with but one that must be tackled head on by the government and policymakers of the country.

Agree with your observation, Erry Tara.

Thanks Rose Yabo for your comment. Yes, the removal of tax rebate on dependent affects both the private and public sector employees. I believe the removal of the dependent rebate must be revoked.

Agree with you Bonny Bonsella on creating jobs for the young people of the country, as youth unemployment is a critical development issue which the government and the policymakers of the country must quickly work to address.

Good point Warren. You know of the failures then because you were a kiap, weren't you? My late father who worked for the colonial administration in the '60s and early '70s always said 'PNG was not ready for independence'. Independence in 1985 or even 1995 would have prepared PNG very well to make the most of the land and natural resources we have because the populace would have been well-educated. An educated populace keeps its politicians in line, demands governance and accountability etc. Right now, having a 50% illiterate populace is of great benefit to the politicians. They don't respect their voters. They take advantage of them. Change is generational for this rich yet poor and corrupt country.

Thank you, Matthew. Sir Mekere, not only had strong ethics and integrity, but he also had the knowledge and the financial expertise and experience to run the country, unlike current pretenders who continue to take advantage of the ill-education of the populace to build empires for themselves. In any decent country, the top bloke would have resigned on the 10th of January. Australian State Premiers, New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern and others resigned from public office when their character was slightly questioned. PNG does not have politicians and bureaucrats with character and integrity who will simply step aside when things go wrong under their watch. Why? They are power and money-hungry. They are corrupt so they must hang on to ensure they are not investigated. I knew Sir Mekere and Lady Roselyn personally. Sir Mekere ran in a different league - the most intelligent PM PNG ever had. Re the Connect PNG project - which I believe is funded by grants - there is much talk about how work contracts have been and are given to companies owned by the current members of the government or their wantoks. Peter O'Neill alluded to that in his interview with the 7:30 Report recently but the ABC did not pick up on the tip. Papua New Guineans on the street know where the money is going in this project. With lack of maintenance funds and law and order issues on the highways, how is this Connect PNG project going to benefit the country? Grants for Connect PNG project are indirectly paying for Marape to remain in power as he pays off MPs to stick with him. Are the grant providers asking Marape for accountabiity of these funds?

I am very sorry for the passed away of Peter McCawley. I just knew this info and feel very sad. He is really a very "down to earth" person, a very kind person, not only for his works but really he is in the real world. I made a book with him and he didn't want to put his name as first author, even almost all information came from him and all information is really real, he didn't want to hide even it is close with politics. I was so impressed with his personality who is humble, helpful and friendly. Not many people can compare with him, he is really special man, he is really big man but never think he is big. Rest In Peace, pak Peter...I pray for your best place next to Allah and ask Him to take care of you...

Thanks and appreciate. A very informative and thought provoking insight in the events of Black Wednesday. The widespread looting experienced on Black Wednesday are caused by the unemployed who do not pay a single tax to the government. The PMJM's notion to implement the Vagrancy Act in support of NCD Governor Powes Parkop is simply a knee jerk reaction. What the Pangu led Government should prioritise is to get all unemployed youths roaming our cities to work on the land. It is now back to the Government to identify huge acres of farm land to rollout massive agriculture projects such as cocoa, rice, tapioka for ethanol feul, large scale plantation pine and teak, hybrid coconut, banana plantations for export, coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, etc. These projects will allow our unemployed to be fully engaged, and they will in turn pay their fair share of taxes to the government. The Government must cease borrowing from offshore financiers such as ADB, IMF and World Bank. In order to service these loans, the Government will continue to tax its own citizens for debt servicing. Reconsider foreign investors that the government provides tax holidays for certain period of time. Our LNG shipments exported for debt servicing but retain certain percentage to government as revenue so that it does not tax its own citizens. My humble take on the events of Black Wednesday.

I come from Cloudy Bay area of Abau district in Central province. We as local population would be very happy to set up landowners owned carbon trading corporation. I would very much seek expert advice on I mobilize local people to the task. very much appreciate additional information to see start the project in 2024.

Thank you for the insight Mr. Mako. This Tax Compliance update (January 1 2024) is now hitting the private sector. The government of the day has announced the removal of tax rebate option from the tax tables in the most recent budget. It has already taken effect in the payrolls.. With high inflation at this time..

Well stated here. 7 backbenchers have already moved over now it's the time for a real leader to show his or her people if he really represent thee people in their respactive electorates and Provinces ..PNG is ranking the most corrupt..