Comments

Is it funded? I am in pakistan.if it will be fully funded i would love to attend

Excellent, as far as it goes (the full version of criminal misbehaviour, fraud, violence, deceit etc etc in the PNG resources sector would be longer than the Encyclopedia Britannica). However your reference to the judicial Alternative Dispute Resolution scam drew my attention. This is a very clear example of the judicial corruption evident in Papua New Guinea, and warrants investigation. There are a number of variations on the theme, and more than one judge is involved.

Great links team. A quick comment on writing to politicians. Often people assume they can bang out a quick email and their local member will read it personally. Unfortunately this is not the case as MPs receive '000s of emails every single day. This is a <a href="https://www.oxfam.org.au/get-involved/campaign-with-us/diy-campaigning/make-your-mp-work-for-you/writing-to-your-mp/" rel="nofollow">good DIY guide from Oxfam</a> on things to consider so your email stands out from the crowd. Also, if you want your email read, I'd recommend writing to your local MP instead of the relevant Minister. Often Minister's correspondence gets automatically forwarded onto the public service and bulk standard replies will be returned. This can be a frustrating process. Local MPs have a greater incentive, particularly in marginal seats, to respond to local concerns and pass along their feedback to Cabinet Ministers and other political leaders. They also get prioritised when they forward on correspondence to their Ministerial colleagues. Try and get a couple of your friends in the same electorate to also write an email on the same topic (but not a standard response) and this will amplify your message.

Are you going to be there January 2017?

A very informative and accurate analysis. Justice will be served even if delayed for the sake of the poor and those who are deprived of the basic services. Thanks Countryman for speaking out.

Hi John, thank you for reinforcing the point that these setbacks are not only for the ITFS but the People of PNG. This was an important point the courts were invited to consider in their deliberation.

Thank you Dorothy. I agree with your thoughts re Police Commissioner. The very institution of justice hangs on an impartial police force. Any political interference poses the greatest threat to a functioning society under rule of law.

Thanks Mark. It is a big question whether or not ICAC will be as effective as the Task Force Sweep. Justice Ellis hopefully understands the expectation.

Thanks Bal Your account of the PM case is very informative that even a lay man can draw his/her own conclusion. It was a case unprecedented in the history of PNG. It can be well explained in the context of traditional PNG way how problem is created and how one goes to the extreme of protecting him/herself and their clan or tribes. Relating to your commentary: The setbacks faced not only by ITFS team but also the owners of the public offices (PNGans) would very much like the court to consider: (1) national interest; (2) make decisions not only within the confine of the letter of law but beyond within the spirit of the law; (3) seriously consider prevailing circumstances of the events that unfold in the spirit of neutrality vs apprehension of biasness and (4) public institutions are for everyone’s benefit and not for one or a few individuals. All in all, justice should prevail in all courses. What is known in the public domain with regard to your account are; 1. Police Commissioners-the preceding and current were purposely appointed to disrupt and dismantle the Police Fraud Squad Office which was working directly with ITFS 2. The former AG was suspended and a new one appointed purposely to protect the NEC Chairman and the question of brief out to private lawyers by ITFS would not succeed 3. The NEC decision to disband ITFS and not to be reviewed by court was not for communal/national interest but to serve one or few individuals 4. In the public institutions those officers trying to serve or contribute to justice are seen to be given marching orders and where instances of biasness arose they tended to be getting permanent stay While we respect all court decisions on the case with PM, we would like to see the honorable court of this lands fully exercise its inherent power to do justice in circumstances where injustice would otherwise arise.

Bal, very good analytical paper. Well done. Legislative and institutional reforms are required, as you rightly pointed out, if PNG is serious in fighting against corruption and rid it to make way for genuine development . Police Commissioner's terms, for instance, should be legislated properly so that he/she serves without fear or favor. The police force's constitutional mandate is to preserve peace & good order in the country and enforce the laws in an impartial and objective manner. The Commissioner is the head of this force and as such, his term of employment ought to protected. Only then can he be able to perform his role impartially (ethics, integrity and principles aside), and not serve a certain group of people. Appointment process and committee perhaps also needs review.

A fair and accurate summary. There is now almost no light at the end of the tunnel, and I doubt that ICAC will change that.

Hi Charlie, You raised the important social issue which the present government of Peter O'Neill and Leo Dion and are very un-precise in their political dealing with this national's future especially in regard to the land in Papua New Guinea which the indigenous peoples of this nation owns.