PNG: Marape’s blueprint for change in a fast vanishing honeymoon

By SHANE MCLEOD & JONATHAN PRYKE - The Interpreter

The new PM has big ambition to write a new chapter for the
country but not to put himself at the centre of every deal.

Last week, the Australian government hosted Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape on an official “Guest of Government” visit, just two months after Marape assumed the leadership of its nearest neighbour.

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison pulled out all of the stops, with the red carpet stretching from Sydney to Subiaco. Marape and his significant entourage – at least nine Ministers and five Governors – saw more of Australia in a week than some locals will see in a lifetime.

It’s a good way to set up a relationship between two PMs who should have a couple of years to consolidate their own political careers, while also considering next steps in a bilateral relationship that's critical for both countries.

The trip – organised at very short notice – checked all the boxes.

There was excellent and high-level political engagement in Canberra, which Marape noted was chilly weather-wise, but he was warmed by Canberra’s hospitality. There were good opportunities for connecting with business and community groups: a particularly significant moment was in Perth where 300 members of the PNG diaspora drove for hours for the chance to meet him. And, there were strategic opportunities to engage with the mining and resource, education and defence sectors.

For those who were keen to hear more from the newly minted PNG Prime Minister, Thursday night’s speech at the Lowy Institute – his first international address since taking office – allowed Marape to stitch together the themes he’s been setting out since taking office in May.

“We haven’t failed yet, as a failed state.” he said. “The potential and opportunity for us to reclaim our fullest potential is there.”

But with commendable candour, he accepted the first 44 years of his country's independence have not always been a success. The next phase of his country's history needs to be written, he said, describing it as “a new book”, with a very important first chapter.

As the leader whose story will be told in that book, Marape has thematically distanced himself from the style and substance of his predecessor, Peter O’Neill.

“I don't want PNG to be known as an oil and gas and gold country,” he said. “I want PNG to be known as a country that is the food basket of Asia.”

Agriculture and rural empowerment were consistent themes through the week, and an unapologetic stance on making sure resource projects large and small deliver real results for his country will have the boardrooms of some big resource companies a little nervous.

For Papua New Guineans, the focus on agriculture and sustainable development will be music to the ears. As will his statements that he’s stepping away from the deal-making process, leaving the responsibility to the public servants charged by legislation with making the arrangements.

The establishment of a commission to fight endemic corruption in his country will also be well received.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison hosts PNG counterpart James Marape at an NRL match in Sydney (Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty)

But that’s where the ambition of the new Prime Minister will encounter the realities that have plagued all of his predecessors. PNG’s economy is badly struggling, with the budget in need of urgent repair. The bureaucracy is weak, with limited capacity to suddenly shift gears. And two-thirds of the membership of Marape’s cabinet is the same as O’Neill’s, along with many senior officials.

While the intent for change seems genuine, Marape will have many vested interests and structural challenges working against him. Marape is saying all of the right things, but the honeymoon period before getting some runs on the board is quickly vanishing.

Marape has flagged an address to the nation next month to coincide with the 44th anniversary of independence where he’ll lay out his blueprint for change.

With only 15 months to go until vote of no confidence season begins again, and two-and-a-half years until the next election, change will have to start soon.

As for the bilateral relationship with Australia, while Manus is still a major distraction, this trip certainly put the relationship on a sure footing.

Marape also displayed a more personable side. From stopping to greet and take photos with the diaspora communities wherever he went, to introducing every member of his delegation at the end of his Lowy Institute address, the Prime Minister projected an aura of humility.

That aura will endear him to the people of PNG who show every sign that they’re ready to back their new PM as he tackles the task of writing a new book in the history of his nation.

Go to this link for more: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/png-marape-s-blueprint-change-fast-vanishing-honeymoon

PNGAUS PARTNERSHIP SECONDARY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE

Posted on Legend FM

During his visit to Australia this week, Prime Minister James Marape visited Cherry brook School in New South Wales, one of Australia’s highest performing schools.

While at the school, Prime Minister Marape talked about how Papua New Guinea is approaching the challenges of ensuring access to high quality education for all students, and how the Papua New Guinea-Australia partnership can work with his Government to achieve this ambition.

The visit was also an opportunity to discuss  anew joint education initiative, announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Prime Minister Marape after the inaugural Papua New Guinea-Australia Leaders’Dialogue on 22 July.

(PM Marape speaks at Cherrybrook High School)

The new PNGAus Partnership Secondary Schools Initiative will strengthen enduring education linkages between Papua New Guinea and Australia. It will pair Papua New Guinean and Australian secondary schools to build education and leadership skills and deepen people-to-people and institutional links.

The initiative, worth nearly PGK23 million over three years (2019-2021), will connect Papua New Guinean and Australian students,teachers, principals and education authorities to better prepare future generations to thrive in a technology-driven and globally interconnected 21st century.

The initiative will support twelve secondary school in Papua New Guinea to partner with twelve schools in Australia, particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and youth leadership.

Further information on the new initiative, including information on an official launch, will be provided as activities and schools are determined.

‍Go to this link for more: https://www.legendfm.net/blog/pngaus-partnership-secondary-schools-initiative

Marape: Security issues hinder tourism growth

Posted by The National

PRIME Minister James Marape has declared that law-and-order issues are the major hindrance to PNG’s tourism industry progress and growth.
“Law-and-order woes and issues must be effective and adequately addressed for our tourism industry to really flourish,” he told The National in an interview soon after his election as the country’s 8th prime minister.
“I don’t see a massive erosion in our cultural heritage over the next 10 to 15 years (to attract tourists),” he said.
“We will still maintain it (cultural heritage).
That leads us to prioritise our agriculture sector and industry. When people see money in coffee, cocoa, growing cabbages and broccoli, going into their pockets, they will treasure living in peace and harmony.
“We hope to turn all these around in five years. Our country can then become safer and, naturally, tourism will also benefit.

Wagang Beach, Lae, against the magnificent backdrop of the Huon Gulf looking down to Salamaua. This is the very area where the giant Wafi-Golpu mine plans to dump millions of tonnes of tailings into the Huon Gulf, which has been the livelihood of the caostal people of Morobe for hundreds of years. – Nationalpic by MALUM NALU

“That (tourism) is something that is really big out there but you can’t talk about tourism when we have a law-and-order issues and problems.
“It (tourism) is there, let’s work on it, but let’s transfer money to our people in other areas first. Of course, we will help to grow established tourism destinations, such as Madang.
“It is something that we will work on for progress and growth of our tourism industry and to bring in foreign revenue,” he added.
Although latest research shows PNG’s tourism industry is on the rise with 95,000 air travellers and K690 million in spending, it is far inferior to Fiji which netted some K3 billion last year.
And last year, the figures were likely up due to the hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit.
The research was attributed to World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) in May 2019.
The air arrivals were part of about 195,000 international visitors, with the overall figure including people arriving by cruise ships as well as those who arrived in the country for short and long-term employment.
The International Visitor Survey (IVS) undertaken by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, in partnership with the PNG Tourism Association and the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute, shows that visitors arriving by air for tourism, business and to visit friends and relatives increased by 10% from 2017.
The biggest spending by those 95,000 visitors, was for accommodation, airfares, food and drinks.
Business travellers are still the largest group of visitors, making up 50% of people arriving by air.
“While the research shows visitors nominated safety and security as well as infrastructure as key areas for improvement, it is significant that more than 90% of people said they would return to the country,” IFC resident representative for PNG John Vivian said.
But the overall research shows PNG remains heavily reliant on the Australian market for visitors, with Australians accounting for just over half of all the visitors,” he added.
Australians are predominately visiting the key tourism sites in the Central and Northern provinces with keen interest in historical and adventure tourism.
“Tourism cuts across all sectors and needs concerted efforts of relevant sector agencies to address issues such as law and order and infrastructure developments,” PNG TPA chief executive officer Jerry Agus said.
“Every Papua New Guinean is also encouraged to embrace the importance of tourism by doing their bit to help lift the image and profile of the country as this responsibility does not revolve around only the Government and TPA,” he added.
The research points to increasing interest by visitors to travel to provinces like Central, Morobe and Northern, with a 25% rise in the number of visitors to Milne Bay and a 17% increase in visitors to East New Britain.
Both areas are designated as future key tourism destinations, bringing in millions of kina to local economies.
The 2018 IVS also explored niche market tourism for the first time – adventure and cultural tourists, accounting for some 20% of holidaymakers.

Left: A roadside stream outside Mendi, Southern Highlands. 

– Nationalpic by MALUM NALU

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/marape-security-issues-hinder-tourism-growth/

Post navigat

Aust visa delays due to system

Posted by The National

VISA constraints for Papua New Guineans travelling to Australia occur because of a lack of data and processing that is not compatible to Australian standards, Prime Minister James Marape, pcitured, says.
He said, however, the Immigration Minister Petrus Thomas had been tasked to rectify the issue
Marape, who recently returned from a weeklong state visit to Australia, said during a media conference at Jackson International Airport that the issue of visa compliance and hindrances was also discussed during the meeting with his counterpart, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
He said the issue would be further discussed during a minister-to-minister meeting next month with the goal of finding a solution that would result in PNG citizens having easy access into Australia for day to day visits. and also for business travel.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/aust-visa-delays-due-to-system/

SILENT TEARS

by Alexander Nara - PNG Blogs

He was 26 when he left one windy September afternoon in 1996. She was proud of him but her heart moaned with anxiety, distress and a gripping feeling of emptiness girdled with uncertainty towards what lay ahead.

Their sons Samson 2 years old and Martin, a year old stood beside her as she cuddled their 3 weeks old baby daughter Keziah close to her heart and bade her last goodbye.

Young Samson held on to his dad’s army helmet a little bit longer than usual, never wanting to let go but his mom Regina held him back, for his ‘never wanting to let go’ had to be ignored that afternoon.

They say tears are the raindrops from the storm inside of us but Regina did not cry.

That afternoon, her husband and father of her children, 810160 Corporal Horace Marco Maino boarded a special flight out of Port Moresby with his comrades from Alpha Company (A COY) - 1st Royal Pacific Island Regiment (1RPIR), bound for the war-torn Island of Bougainville.

The Bougainville conflict was into its 8th year and peace was the agenda on government tables as negotiations continued with leaders of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) where ceasefire seemed forthcoming.

She waited as the month of October came, tenderly watching over their three children and looking forward to reunion at the time when his deployment is over.

As Regina and the children waited patiently at Taurama Army Barracks, Corporal Maino who is the Section Commander of 1RPIR A COY was deployed with his Company to manned the post at Siara Junction Camp inside the North West Bougainville area.

As the ceasefire process continued, Maino led his Company into a rebel stronghold on October 23, 1996 in an attempt to hold talks with a BRA leader as part of the peace negotiations.

That afternoon, he never returned back to Siara Junction Army Camp.

His rifleman 811502 Private Jimmy Jula along with 810828 Private Raymond Waia who were with him that afternoon also disappeared.

The pride that once held Regina’s tears intact and hidden in the base of her heart burst open as darkness enveloped her world and pure agony ruled all elements of her emotions.

The unknown that lay ahead mocked her and young Samson’s plea that September afternoon before his dad’s departure tormented her mind as if blaming her for choosing to ignore.

During the interview for this story, Regina’s eyes glistened with tears and her lips tremble as she struggled to string words to describe the soreness, deep loneliness and despair that ate into her heart.

She wanted that disappearance to be just a bad dream and that soon she will wake up.

Her whole heart begged out to nothing, pleading that it was a mistake and there is message coming soon that will say they have been found.

Months past but Corporal Maino, Private Jula and Private Waia were never seen again.

Regina turned to believe that one day soon there would be an unexpected knock on the door and she would open it and there he will be, standing there, probably beardy and rugged like in the movies.

The months turned to years and that knock never came until finally in 1998, the three were declared ‘Killed in Action.’

Regina felt nothing more but pain as she and her three children began their unknown walk into the future without their father.

In the mid of 2000, she took her first step in finding a job with Nongorr & Associates Law Firm as the Legal Secretary to support her and their three children where she is still there today.

Years came and went and their three children grew into adults as Regina who never married again grew grey flowers amongst her hair as she continued to long deep inside that his man would one day come home to lie amongst his very own at Sohe in the Oro Province.

Her prayers were answered as contacts were re-established and in October of 2010, it was discovered that the remains of the three men were in custody of ex combatants in the Hahon and Kunnua areas of North Bougainville.

Clearance was sorted and cooperation from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ABG), The National Coordinating Office of Bougainville Affairs and the Ex- Combatants led to successful forensic examination of the remains by the Australian Defence Force where it was confirmed that Corporal Marco Maino lies at Kunnua.

In 2013, the National Government issued instructions through the Defence White Paper 2013 that the remains be recovered and repatriated immediately leading to further negotiations between the PNG Defence Organization, ABG and the Ex-combatants.

At around 2pm on Sunday afternoon June 21, 2015 the long wait that hovered like dark clouds over Regina and her children melted into the juddering sound of the chartered Air Niugini Fokker 100 as it touched down at Jacksons Airport, Port Moresby after a two-hour flight from the Island of Bougainville.

Onboard were the remains of Corporal Horace Marco Maino, Private Jimmy Jula and Private Raymond Waia.

Regina stood beside Samson 22 years old and studying Information Technology at ITI, Martin 21 who works with Pride Furniture and daughter Keziah 20 who cuddled her 3 months old baby girl just like her when her father left that September afternoon in 1996.

As the plane slowly approached the PNGDF Air Transport Wing, Regina felt a sudden gust of wind that slapped her face softly before rustling through her greyish white hair like a hand she knew.

She smiled amidst the tears that ran freely down her cheeks as she welcomed him home after 19 years.

Go to this link for more: http://www.pngblogs.com/2019/07/silent-tears.html

Supporting Repatriation, Relocation and Reintegration to save lives for victims of Sorcery-Related Violence in Papua New Guinea.

By Casper Damien - PNG Blogs

This article is focused on support to survivors of violence from the sorcery-related violence in Papua New Guinea. Its aim is to helping venerable people at risk to get away from the community where they are in danger and settle in another community where they can feel safe and reestablish their lives.

In Papua New Guinea, special attention must be given to address violence against women and girls. Sorcery related violence against women is all against human rights, unacceptable and humiliating. Sorcery related violence is a serious concern right now in PNG because of constant physical violence and killing that involves men and women and children.

In this very unappealing state of affairs, does the government has a plan for Ending Violence against Women in addressing sorcery-related violence and the activity of repatriation, relocation and reintegration of the survivors/victims in the country? Does the government partners with International Non-government organizations to end sorcery based violence in PNG? It is a very important question and the government has a vital role to play together with its partners to achieve its plan in committing itself to promote women’s rights and freedom to life and promote gender equality and the empowerment of women in PNG.

There are numerous International Non-government organizations in the country doing so much to help victims of sorcery-related violence in the country. One of the strategies used to help victims of Sorcery-related violence is to repatriate and relocate victims to a safer location and to support them to re-establish their lives again through its program of Ending Violence against women in PNG. 

This strategies includes what action and how each International NGOs will take to better use its local partners, Human Rights Defender Network, Provincial and Local Level Government authorities, Churches, Law enforcement agencies, Health Department, Local Peace Mediators and Leaders, and vital safe programs to make a lasting difference ending sorcery-related violence against women in PNG.

The Government and International NGOs should have an action plan that must compliment objectives of ending violence against women in the country. The ending violence against women program is vital to provide support for those subject to, or at high risk of, violence in all its manifestation. There should be an urgent support to provide through International NGOs’ involvement with local partners in its service provision of counselling, safe-house accommodation, paralegal advice, and referral to specialist service providers. In a situation where violence is so serious, appropriate action is needed to repatriate the survivor, and normally it brings sharp relief to victims.

The primary motivation for supporting repatriation and relocation is to save lives for victims of gender-based and sorcery-related violence in Papua New Guinea. All measures to combat violence against women must proceed from the needs of the victims. Thanks to many international NGOs with the support of its partners have taken a huge step forward by providing support and protection to those victims who are exposed to such violence. However, to address in supporting repatriation and relocation of victims of violence, the International NGOs alone cannot do it, closer cooperation among the various actors/partners including the relevant government agencies is essential if efforts to support relocation and reintegration programs for the victims are fully supported. The plan for victims of violence is not only repatriating and relocating them to safer sites/place, but it has made available services such as reintegration program for victims so they get the best support to help them find new homes with a life free of violence.

The high prevalence cases of gender-based and sorcery-related violence against women in PNG needs direct intervention from relevant government agencies and other organizations such as concern NGOs, Churches, and international humanitarian organizations. Most efforts by International NGOs and its partners to date have focused on saving victims of Gender-based Violence and Sorcery related Violence against women through its program “Ending Violence against Women in PNG.”  In most cases, the responses to victims/survivors are limited with most women lacking access to basic supports, justice and resource in cases of violence. There are many unreported cases where women are victims and are killed if there is no intervention to prevent them from further causality.  

In PNG, relevant government agencies like Department of Justice, Department of Community Development and Religion, voluntary organisations, NGOs, Community based organizations, and other international organizations that focus on the subject matter that have programs for violence have to develop workable models for joint action to combat men’s violence against women. These models should be based on a comprehensive, integrated approach to the problem: the woman is given the support and protection she needs, the children are given the opportunity to work through their experiences, and the man who is a perpetrator is offered programme measures to help him deal with his violent behaviour if he is brought to justice. This collaboration and service should be undertaken at the local level. The Government, for this model or program to be effective and workable, should allocate funding for these groups that have already initiated such joint efforts, to enable them to evaluate progress, and other related matters of helping relocation support.

The availability of shelters (care centres) for women seeking refuge from domestic violence and services for victims/survivors are limited. The government including the provincial and local level government have no such services available. The only providers of such services for victims of gender-based and sorcery-related violence are churches organizations and some NGOs which are challenging for both the victims/survivors and service providers.

The counselling services for victims/survivors of gender-based and sorcery-related violence, who are traumatized, including children need distinct counselling service provided by the service providers. Providing counselling and care for victims a very challenging task where professional counsellors are needed for this service. Further, service providers and hospitals should ensure that accessibility of emergency health services is free of charge for the survivors. The counselling work needed includes more counselling of perpetrators as part of rehabilitation work. Dissemination workshop participants noted the importance of strengthening the rehabilitation of perpetrators through village court processes and in prisons to reduce reoffending and to help create conditions under which survivors could return to communities.

Progress can be made in regard to the dissemination of information about women’s rights, legal and protection measures and services. The Program of ‘Ending Violence against Women’ is one medium that can raise awareness and dissemination information activities in the location of incidents of violence and organised public rallies on a regular basis. Awareness and dissemination of information about women’s right to a life free of violence will always have a positive outcome. 

One of the key measures aiming to reduce violence against women is provided to ensure the safety and liberty of the women who have been victimized or threatened with violence. The need for more legal protection and effective legal process at the national and provincial level for women will help reduce violence against women. Hence, relocation support to survivors of Gender-based and sorcery-related violence in PNG could be greatly improved if the government were to fully support it, not only through resource allocation but the development of better laws and policies. The Department of Justice and Attorney General’s Office is the appropriate government agency to take the lead in developing relevant laws and policy to combat violence against women in PNG.

The need for awareness of the repealing of the Sorcery Act 1971 (Sorcery [Repeal]) Bill 2013 is one area that needs attention. The repeal, though welcomed by many, is not seen as enough. At the same time, there is a concern that sorcery-related violence might go underground, with killing done more secretly. Since the repeal of the Sorcery Act, village courts no longer have a role in sorcery-related violence, though some continue to deal with such cases. Whether the repeal of the Sorcery Act will have the desired effect of reducing violence is not yet evident. The lack of knowledge about this repeal, and the lack of access to justice means that, in the short term, prosecutions for the murder of people accused of sorcery are not likely. 

Go to this link for more: http://www.pngblogs.com/2019/07/supporting-repatriation-relocation-and.html

KPHL FIGHTING BACK TO KEEP ROT GOING

By BUI WETAU - PNG Blogs

The Public Accounts Committee Chairman Sir John Pundari's comments today on page#3 of the Post Courier that the Management of the Kumul Petroleum Holding Limited led by its Chairman continues to argue that their existence (actions) is governed by a separate Act triggers me to say that KPHL must now be investigated thoroughly as the public can now see that there is something not right about the whole issue.

KPHL Chairman Mr Baing and his team of Management must know that the Act that they continue to seek refuge under was given birth to by the Parliament for the sole purpose of KPHL governing or managing resources (financial or others) which were to come under the new body's (KPHL) care. This is merely a function that would otherwise have been parked under the Department of Petroleum or even Treasury with key personals employed to undertake the responsibilities of management and if so the responsible agency whether it be DPE or Treasury would still be required under the Jurisdictions of the Independent State of PNG for them to report to the people of this country every detail of transactions relating to the management of such resources as they belong to the people of this country.

The Act that they continue to hide under was not enacted to give them absolute authority or right on their actions as the underlying aim was to 'create' a separate body to manage such resources of the Government which were considered quite new by its origin and the Government may have thought they could get more value out of it by separately managing this new category of revenues the Government was starting to enjoy following investments in the petroleum sector.

Therefore, whether it be an SOE or a Government Department functioning to serve the interests of the people, there actions, whether there may be instances of revenues generated which may not go into the Waigani Public Accounts (a good example is the National Gaming Control Board where revenues collected are not reflected in the National Government Budget as they are expedited outside of it) are all subject to the laws of the country as their operations or being in operation are solely to serve the people of this country and this is exactly what the Public Accounts Committee Chairman Sir John Pundari is simply saying - report to the people of this country how well you have been serving them.

This is not a very complicated request that may require further advice to answer as it's just to report on your performances to date so I see no reason in the KPHL Chairman's refusal to comply.

Go to this link for more: http://www.pngblogs.com/2019/07/kphl-fighting-back-to-keep-rot-going.html