Comments

Dear Michael Kabuni, Bro, a very useful and insightful assessment of the current coalition government. I do most certainly concur that the Prime Minister James Marape doesn't have the benefit of a strong coalition government comprised of political parties with similar party policies or party policy platforms while in the current Marape-Davies Government. The political chess-board is littered with so many "political kings" and "political queens" that one could safely describe the current political sitting arrangements as a "political marriage of convenience" on the floor of Parliament. It defies the existing political project as to how Prime Minister James Marape could politically attract such a diverse political range of Members of Parliament with very diverse and or opposing political positions into his government as we move ever so closely towards the finalisation of the 2020 Development Budget for Papua New Guinea. While there is a huge demarcation between political imaginary lines and political party lines in the political project in Papua New Guinea, that is not to say that the Marape-Davis Government isn't intact going into the 2022 General Elections. If I could highlight the political Newtonian aspect of this complex political vegetation, it is that a lot depends on James Marape and Davies Steven's political instinct and political leadership. At the end of the day, the focus is on working towards achieving the concept of "Take Back PNG". In political parlance, this is a lot like "looking for the elephant's footprints in the forest. When in reality, the elephant is at home".

A very good analysis. Only one correction. The Minister for Treasury was Hon. Sam Basil who was replaced by Hon Ian Ling Stucky. Hon Basil replaced Hon Richard Maru.

An excellent article on the importance of having clear direction as a nation. Without clear dreams, aspirations and direction, we as a nation will wallow in the mud of mediocrity and poverty. The NGDP are the original aspirations we need to recapture to move us forward. Successive governments have lost the way. Without a clear north star guiding us, we will see more rampant corruption eating away the nation's wealth. Patrick Kaiku's essay is a timely reminder, to recapture our original vision and realign ourselves so that we become a 'purpose driven' nation.

Thanks Stephen for a timely article. I guess we must remember that Australia provided short-term loans to PNG in the past; my recollections are that this was done at least twice in the last two decades, and each time the loans were repaid in full and on-time. While I stand to be corrected regarding the claims made above, assuming this request is not very different to those of the past then the risks of another loan must be low. And surely, the Commonwealth Treasury will draw lessons from the past on this.

It's about time PNG women have a say in the national issues affecting the country as they are part and parcel of the society as a whole. Whatever changes have occurred whether good or bad, big or small, or whatever length of changes that affect our country during the reign of our forefathers, the good PMs back then, the consequences of such changes affects us all regardless of the norms, cultures and customs in PNG where women are generally subordinate to men. Thus prior to the fact, PNG women are urged to actively participate in political representation to affirm their marginalized status in civic society in PNG. And one way of achieving this is through political representation. As politics is about power. And with power at hand, it is possible to pursue the National Goals of "equality of opportunities" and "equal participation and representation" that embraces the rights and freedom of PNG women to actively participate in development opportunities as entrenched in the National Constitution. Thus at this stage considering the importance of women as opposed to men, I duly call upon the elites of PNG, the political activists, the lobby groups, and the donor agencies, to vividly advocate and provide support for PNG women in politics.

Nothing about "Another public holiday" in the article.

Stephen, thank you for highlighting the replenishment of the Global Fund, but why did you not ask the Australian Government to increase its pledge to the Global Fund like everyone else? The ‘maintain’ argument is fine if it is maintain by keeping in step with others: including USA (a 15.6% increase), Germany (17.5%), and UK (16%). With Australia starting from a low base (A$73m p.a.), matching others would require only about an extra A$12-27m per year; a modest contribution to an effective program to help end AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Outstanding Remarks from Patrick Kaiku - explain to current leaders and coming leaders, I really support that directive principles of state policy are enshrined in part IV of the constitution and are basically directives given to the state to bring about a just and welfare society. These principles serve as guidelines for the government while framing policies and programmes. National goals are goals set by the nation's President during the presidential elections. Goals are in three categories, society, economy and military. Achieving a goal will earn the country a monument. The contentious reign of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill ended on 30 May 2019 with the election of James Marape as Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) new Prime Minister. Since his elevation to Prime Minister in 2011, O’Neill proved an effective tactician, overcoming numerous attempts to unseat him through the parliament, in courts and on the streets through protests. While O’Neill deserves credit for significant infrastructure developments and hosting of international events that arguably brought prestige to PNG, his legacy, like many of his predecessors, is shrouded in controversy. The Constitution contains a select number of human rights: the right to life, liberty and security of person and protection of the law, the right to take part in political activities, freedom from inhuman treatment and forced labour. The vision of the five National Goals and Directive Principles compelled post- independence governments to deliver social, economic and political development with consideration to equality, economic self-reliance, national sovereignty and protection of the natural environment. I’m the political Science student completely saluted my lectures have said – not to mockery the 8 million people. Understand the National goals before independence. Student@upng

Another public holiday, I like it.

There are at least 2 more reasons for Marape joining Pangu: First, Ginson Sonau was rebuilding Pangu Pati after Pangu MPs resigned and joined Melanesia Alliance. Sonau was the only MP to remain as Pangu MP after the resignations. Six other MPs who left Pangu for Melanesian Alliance later returned to join Sonau - this was during the impasse. He invited those resigning from PNC and others leaving the government coalition to join Pangu. Second reason is that, Marape and other Highlands MPs cited the unfair distribution or lack of payment of LNG royalties as they resigned. Sonau had earlier taken the government to court on behalf of the Morobe people and had successfully stalled Wofu mine from starting operations, arguing that the deal did not benefit the people of Morobe. It made sense for Marape and other Highland MPs citing dissatisfaction over resources payments to join Soanu. When it comes to leadership, Sonau has proven his loyalty to Pangu by remaining with the party when the others reigned to join Melanesian Alliance. It is possible that he will remain the party leader. Marape on the other hand, has joined the party out of convenience. Marape has not made any substantial statements which identified himself as Pangu man, apart from stating that Pangu was "detaching" from PNC on 30 August 2019. He uses the words "I", "my government", the "Marape Manifesto" etc. He is yet to declare anything as Pangu Pati policy. It is possible that Sonau may take control of Pangu Pati with the intention of becoming the PM when PNG goes to polls in 2022.

Thanks Patrick for this piece of notable remarks. I concur with your remarks that, in the post-independence state of PNG, the core ingredients of the NGDPs had never been used through any medium for public education and appreciation. I remember once I learnt the NGDPs when I was doing grade 4 or 5 in primary education. In the later part of my life, I read it in libraries and other official government magazines. Even today, I cannot fully cite the NGDPs by heart, let alone other educated Papua New Guineans. Before the NGDP were developed, extensive consultations were held across the country when the medium of communication was limited - the radios, the TVs, social media, the internet and mobile phones, all so called modern communication modules. Now that we are exposed to these various modern communication systems, we should be better informed and inform other fellow citizens on the true meanings of the NGDPs. However, it is the contrary today as you have remarked. I came across few citings of the NGDPs in official PNG development plans and strategies. The obvious one is on “integral human development”. However, in the subsequent sections of the official documents and its practical application, the true meaning of this NGDP slowly disappeared, so as the core value of the preamble to the Constitution and the development aspirations it should otherwise promotes. I supported your suggestion for a constitutional week or day to honour the significance of NGDPs like the annual Independence Day celebration it could be a better idea for all educated citizens to learn and understand the core purpose of the NGDPs and inform fellow citizens. Various activities can be organised to add the significance of the NGDPs as the preamble of the PNG home grown Constitution.

Thank you Cindy, It's great to hear the post was useful to you. Terence