Papua New Guinea Today

Member for Yangoru Sausia and Minister for National Planning Richard Maru said he is a relieved man now after the court dismissed an election petition in its entirety by runner up and rival candidate Peter Wararu Waranaka this morning

The dismissal of the petition will allow the member to carry out his mandated duty as the duly elected leader for Yangoru Sausia to bring in services and development freely.
“I am absolutely relieved today that the petition against me by the former member and my rival in two elections Peter Wararu was dismissed today by the Supreme Court,” said Mr. Maru.

The Supreme Court this morning dismissed a leave application for review which means that the case is now over and Mr. Maru’s election cannot and will not be challenged further in any court of law.

“I am free now and able to concentrate my attention on my job as National Planning Minister and also as member for Yangoru Sausia and I can focus on delivering goods and services to my people in the district and offcourse throughout the nation.” said Maru.

Lawyer representing Mr. Maru, Paul Mawa said the petition basically challenged MP Richard Maru’s return on 3 grounds including bribery, illegal practice and errors and omissions but was unsuccessful and dismissed by the National Court.

Petitioner Mr. Waranaka, aggrieved by the decision filed an application for leave in the National Court trying the challenge the decision of the National Court.

“We made an application in the Supreme Court for one reason: the applicant for review Peter Wararu did not comply with the Supreme Court rules in relation to the appeal to review and also that the grounds raised by the applicant did not raise reasonable grounds to set aside the decision of the trial judge,” Mawa said. PNGFM/PNG Today

Muslims don’t run the country, says Fiji's Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

His comment follows a question raised at the 2018/2019 National Budget consultation in Savusavu Monday.

He told those at the consultation that Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was not a Muslim which proved the perception that Muslims run the nation wrong.

Savusavu resident Sheik Mohammed asked Sayed-Kaiyum whether the nation was controlled by Muslims.

“A lot of rumors going on and what I want to ask you does not sound good,” he said. “First of all people are saying that this country is ruled by a Muslim.

“And sir, a person is holding about six or seven portfolios and paid for all portfolios and I think it’s directed to you sir.

“So can I have a clarification on that because through the media we can tell the people of Fiji.”

In his response, Sayed-Kaiyum described the question as surreal.

“In regards to the place being run by Muslims, no. “The country is led by a Prime Minister and he is not a Muslim.

“And people get appointed on merit. At one stage people like (Opposition MPs) Niko Nawaikula and (Mosese) Bulitavo were saying in a video that if you vote for Bainimarama Government, iTaukei people will live on reserve land.

“Today, 91 per cent of land in Fiji is iTaukei Land and it has increased. “Today we have a Constitution that protects iTaukei and forever.” Sayed-Kaiyum added that his appointment was because his boss believed he could do the job.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Independent Commission Against corruption (FICAC) is investigating some political parties and political party agents for inciting racial discrimination and religious vilification.

Electoral Commission chairperson Suresh Chandra confirmed this and they were not in a position to name those that are being investigated.

“There are complaints with FICAC which has been reported by us and the supervisor and reports are being investigated by FICAC,” Chandra said.

“We are not in a position to name people involved, but these are all political party agents or campaigns done by political parties and themselves, but we confirm there are some cases being investigated.”

Chandra said it was imperative political parties and their representatives keep their election campaigns clean and clear from religious vilification and racial discrimination.

“We have asked FICAC to immediately investigate and finalise all the complaints in relation to elections. “FICAC has assured us that they will deal with these types of complaints expediently and take cases to court where they find there is sufficient evidence to support a charge.”

He also requested members of the public, who are present during political party meetings, to use their smartphones to record such behavior.

Chandra said political parties could consider having their own recording apparatus during their meetings to protect their interest.

“Parties must have their own disciplinary process to deal with breaches by their own representatives and parties must keep an eye on their own campaigns,” he said.

National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad says political parties should not use race or religion as campaign tools.

Prof Prasad said NFP do not condone any campaign along racial and religious lines.

“We have consistently reminded all our provisional candidates to campaign on issues.

Our provisional candidates are equipped with publications of issues that we are promoting.

They have been in the public domain since July 29 last year,” he said.

Prof Prasad said no NFP provisional candidate has in 2014 elections campaign or during the current campaign, used race and religion as a campaign issue.

He urged the Electoral Commission, FICAC and especially the media, not to rely on heresay reports, but irrefutable and conclusive evidence like voice and video recordings.

“It is easy to malign provisional candidates and political parties by making wild and unsubstantiated allegations.

Failure to do so on the part of the media organisations make them guilty of colluding to fabricate such reports,” he added.

Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube said it was important for people to voice their opinion when political parties conduct their pocket meetings.

Efforts to get comments from other political parties were unsuccesful.

Electoral Commission chairperson Suresh Chandra said anyone convicted of inciting religious vilification could face a fine not exceeding $50,000 (US$25,000) or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or both.

He said he and the Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem had lodged a complaint each with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

SOURCE: FIJI TIMES/PACNEWS

Papua New Guinea (PNG) will have a more reliable and cheaper cost of internet connectivity when the Kumul Domestic Submarine cable project is completed next year.

That is according to the Public Enterprise and State Investments Minister William Duma when he visited the Coral Sea Cable System Landing Site at Port Moresby’s Kila Barracks and Gerehu Satellite Earth Station, both in Port Moresby, yesterday.

State-owned enterprise under Kumul Consolidated Holding, DataCo anticipates the drop of internet pricing by 20 per cent of the current rate.

The Exim Bank of China is funding the domestic project with cost just over US$250 million (K783.45m) and main contractor Huawei PNG is progressing well with the project on site readiness and marine survey.

Mr Duma described the project as a game changer and a new technology that will revolutionise the way PNG does business when he visited the Kila Barrack site in Moresby South where the Coral Sea Cable system will connect to Port Moresby.

Mr Duma said the PNG Government led by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is committed to ensuring the people receive quality and reliable internet service at much cheaper rates, and that will be through the Coral Sea Cable project.

“While the Coral Sea Cable System will provide high speed international connectivity to Port Moresby, we would still have the challenge of connecting other parts of Papua New Guinea to Port Moresby to be able to enjoy the benefits of this cable by the majority of our people who live outside of Port Moresby.”

The project will connect all the 15 coastal provincial capitals with this modern communications medium, fibre optic submarine cable. The project is currently underway, where preparations for the site are now advancing for the Port Moresby to Madang segment (via Alotau, Popondetta and Lae).

Last month an agreement was signed between the PNG and the Australian governments for a trilateral project to provide additional capacity for high speed broadband connectivity.

Mr Duma said the Coral Sea Cable will be a state of the art cable system between Sydney, Australia and each of Port Moresby and Honiara, the Solomon Islands.

It will comprise of two pairs of fibre optic cables which travel in parallel from Sydney to a branching unit in the Coral Sea, where they will travel to both PNG and the Solomon Islands....read more on PNG Technology site : PNGeHow
Post Courier/PNG Today

A public private partnership with the goal of developing a large scale commercial agricultural venture in the Hela Province was announced today.

The agricultural project partners include the PNG LNG Project, agribusiness firm Innovative Agro Industry, MRDC, Hela Provincial Government and Tari-Pori, Koroba-Kopiago and Komo Margarima local level governments.

The proposed venture – led by Innovative Agro Industry – will train and equip small-holder farmers to first produce stock feed and vegetables in Hela Province and, over time, endeavour to rejuvenate the local coffee industry. Innovative Agro Industry has successfully demonstrated its ability to design and implement self-sustaining commercial agricultural ventures l across Papua New Guinea.

The unique public private partnership has been formed through the efforts of ExxonMobil PNG, operator of PNG LNG, and Innovative Agro Industry over the last year to help create a sustainable pathway to commercially scale the agricultural industry in Hela province.

Innovative Agro Industry Chairman Ilan Weiss said creating opportunities for meaningful participation for rural Papua New Guineans is a key component of many of the projects the IAI has developed throughout Papua New Guinea. "We believe that this type of engagement is key to the success of any agriculture enterprise.

Smallholder engagement strengthens communities and generates cash incomes, triggering sustainable flow on effects in terms of food security, health, education, development of locally owned small businesses, and improved basic financial literacy. It has the ability to be a catalyst for rural development."
ExxonMobil PNG Managing Director Andrew Barry said the PNG LNG Project was committed to driving economic growth and producing significant, lasting benefits. “The agricultural project has the potential to positively impact as many as 5,000 small-holder farmers in Hela Province over the next five years and beyond as well as diversifying the economic base and encouraging the development of additional small enterprises in Hela province.”

As a first step, and as a demonstration of their commitment to Hela Province and its people, the agricultural project supporters have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly fund the detailed design phase at a cost of PGK10M. Over the course of the next few months, much work will be done to determine the full feasibility of the agricultural venture.

Activities to be undertaken in Phase 1 include a detailed field analysis of soil and growing conditions; detailed design of the farmer training program; establishment of a training centre and finalisation of all financing agreements and the commercial venture structure. The feasibility study will also include the potential use of Komo airfield as one of several logistics options to support the venture.

If Phase 1 is successful, the venture could be launched in as early as 1Q 2019.

Several students from various secondary schools in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have successfully been enrolled this year in pilot school overseas.

Roselyn Banrogo, Marketing Manager and PNG Representative for Professional Pilot Training (PPT) in New South Wales, Australia, stated that there were initially a total of nine pilot students who enrolled with the school – five of which were from various secondary schools in Port Moresby (POM).

“We usually have non-school leavers who apply for our pilot training school but this year, we’ve had two students from Port Moresby International School, two from Paradise International School, and one from Gerehu Secondary School,” said Ms Banrogo.

”These students are only proof of how successful the annual career exhibitions have been.”
Ms Banrogo stated that PPT did not have a required Grade Point Average (GPA) for its students, however they only needed to be exceptional in Advanced Mathematics and Physics.

“We don’t look at the GPA but we look at how good they are in Maths A, Physics and especially English because that is the language that they will use when communicating in the cockpit.”

Meanwhile, Ms Banrogo added that disabilities such as eyesight problems were not an issue for students who wished to undertake pilot training at PPT.

“If students are short-sighted, they will be referred to an eye doctor; but prior to training, they will sit for electronic aptitude tests which will determine their aptitudes to fly,” she said.

“We actually have had some students who were short-sighted but it wasn’t a problem, as long as they had their glasses on.”

PPT has been operating for the past 12 years in Coffs Habour, New South Wales, Australia and is fully engaged with the Air Niugini Pilot Training

The school is open to both school leavers and non-school leavers below the ages of 35 to 40. ...read more on >> PNG Education News site

PNGFM /PNG Today

Media Release, 14 August, 2018

It is six years since Prime Minister Peter O’Neill promised the country an Independent Commission Against Corruption. Yet that vision is no closer to being realised today than it was in 2012, says Community Advocacy group ACT NOW!

“Peter O’Neill has totally failed to live up to his promises in both the 2012 and 2017 Alotau Accords that the government would establish an ICAC”, says Campaign Coordinator Eddie Tanago.

“The impact of not having a dedicated anti-corruption agency that is politically independent, fully resourced and that has full powers of arrest and prosecution has been devastating for our economic well-being and the quality of life for ordinary people”.

Delegates at last weeks APEC Anti-Corruption and Transparency workshop repeatedly spoke about how corruption inhibits development and is a serious threat to economic growth [1] yet PNG had almost nothing to show in terms of progress under the United Nations Convention on Corruption [2]

“In PNG we repeatedly hear that a large-proportion of the national budget is lost every year to corruption, taking money directly from health and education services", says Mr Tanago.

“We also hear about the high costs that businesses have to endure as a result of corruption, which act to reduce profits, lower employment and limit investment. Yet the government has just dragged its feet for year after year over an ICAC.”

ACT NOW! says that while together, PNG, Australia and China are spending more than K1.1 billion [3] on the whole APEC extravaganza, a tiny proportion of that money would have been sufficient to fund the operations of a robust, independent and well staffed ICAC for more than a decade.

“Ridding PNG of the scourge of corruption would do far more to assist development in PNG and ensure the well-being of our citizens than a huge party for the world’s leaders and their entourages”, says Mr Tanago.

“We hope that in November, when the leaders from the world’s two biggest economies will be here in PNG, they will ask the Prime Minister why he has not established an ICAC and whose interests he is protecting.”

Rhodes is well known for its quality affordable homes that last a lifetime. However, what is less well known is how Rhodes’ help PNG families ‘future proof’ their homes. Combined with outstanding customer service it is little wonder that Rhodes are steadily growing their market share in PNG’s home buying market.

So what is ‘future proofing’? Future proofing homes is all about designing and building homes in such a way that they suit families’ needs now and in the future, no matter what changes come along over the years. Future proofing your home helps avoid unnecessary disappointment and expense in the long term.
“Future proofing homes requires the use of high quality and durable materials in combination with designing homes with the future needs of our customers first and foremost in mind” says Business Development Manager, Dave Mackenzie. “Importantly we make sure that we build with only the very best Australian Standard materials, including top-grade galvanised steel framing, to guarantee that our homes last and maintenance requirements are kept to the bare minimum. However, unlike other kit home companies we also design homes so that they can easily be added on to or extended to suit families’ changing requirements.” These ‘add-ons’ include such things as additional bedrooms, bathrooms, verandas, staircases, and enclosing downstairs areas.
Future proofing your home is particularly important in PNG given the shortage of available freehold land and the considerable expenses associated with selling and buying property. “Many people are keen just to get in to the property market and will be happy with a fairly simple 2 bedroom home to start with” explains Rhodes Project Manager Geno Ulu. “But when a few extra kids come along and you want to spread out a bit more it’s good to know that you don’t have to sell up and move elsewhere. Instead you know that your Rhodes home has been designed to make it as simple and as cost effective as possible to add another bedroom or veranda or to build in down below.”
Rhodes is perfectly suited to providing customers with the best future proofing solutions as it is a truly vertically integrated construction company. That is, Rhodes designs homes, manufactures the prefabricated (kit) components, delivers the flat-packed kit homes to wherever families want to build, and if desired, also constructs the homes utilising their own construction team. “Our builders understand our product and how everything slots together perfectly so it’s very easy for them to not only build someone’s home in the first place but to come back to the same home five or ten years later to build a quality and affordable extension” says Mackenzie.
Rhodes is the only kit home specialist with its own in-house construction team and Mackenzie cites this as a key contributor to the high level of customer service Rhodes’ customers enjoy. “Having our own in-house construction capabilities means that any problems can be easily and quickly fixed. If you choose a kit home from another provider there is always the risk of the provider and the builder arguing over who is to blame for any mistakes and that can leave the customer with a stressful and often expensive problem.” Ulu agrees, “for too long home buyers in PNG have had to put up with really bad customer service from the construction industry. Fortunately, today’s families wanting to buy their own home have more choice and companies like Rhodes are leading the way with a very public commitment to put their customers first and provide them with the best possible service.”
Future proofing plus great customer service – what more could you want? For more information on Rhodes homes contact them on 7263 7860, www.rhodesprojects.com.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government has sent its strongest message yet that it is cracking down on corruption as part of getting referendum ready.
Chief Secretary Joseph Nobetau, in his six-month update to the people this week said corruption must stop now.

“Four more Department Heads have been petitioned for allegations of serious misconduct, matters that are now subject to Independent Boards of Inquiry established under the Bougainville Senior Appointments Act,” Mr Nobetau said.
“Corruption is not only against the law. It is stealing from Bougainville – it is selling out on our dream, our future, and the idea that we are destined for a higher level of behaviour.”
The Chief Secretary said one of the biggest issues faced this year has been the uncovering of mass payroll fraud.
“An independent audit by the National Departments of Personnel Management and Finance has now revealed our worst fears,” Mr Nobetau said.
“Bougainvillean public servants have been stealing from government and selling out Bougainville over many years – claiming allowances they were not entitled to, paying salaries well in excess of their classification level, paying themselves and not turning up for work.”
Mr Nobetau said the administration was standing shoulder to shoulder with the Minister for Public Service, who said the fraud was nothing short of theft.
With just nine months until Bougainville’s target referendum date and the need to demonstrate good governance to the international community, the Chief Secretary has made an impassioned plea to fellow public servants, politicians and the people.
“I am committed to ensuring that the fraud squad investigates these matters and that where criminality is found, that individuals be held to account. Nobody is above the law. Nobody has the right to take what is not rightfully theirs. And nobody has to right to steal from law abiding Bougainvilleans. To do so brings shame to the person, to their family and Bougainville as whole.”
“I want to assure tax payers and proud Bougainvilleans that those responsible for this fraud will be held to account and that we will do better.”
“Changes had already been made to ensure the payroll fraud never happens again.”
“The good news is that our eyes are not closed and we will not look the other way. The majority are better than that, the majority want a brighter future for Bougainville.”
“I expect that in time both disciplinary and criminal charges will be made.”
The Chief Secretary said since removing ‘ghosts’ from the payroll had given the government more money for public services like clinics, schools and roads.
Mr Nobetau said changing attitudes and mindsets as part of government reform was not easy, but was Bougainville’s aspirations under the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
“We are on a united but difficult mission to move Bougainville from a provincial government to an autonomous government to preparing for Bougainville’s future political status.”
“We cannot do that while public servants are busy lining their pockets with public money.”
President Momis said he fully supported the Chief Secretary and that under the Organic Law on Leadership he was obligated to report all possible breaches.
“The Chief Secretary has my support to continue to liaise with the Ombudsman Commission to ensure the highest standards of good governance under the Bougainville Peace Agreement,” Mr Momis said.

New Dawn FM News

Social breakdown could come to a head in Papua New Guinea after it hosts APEC, an opposition MP says.

PNG is preparing to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit in November.

The government said the summit wwould present a remarkable marketing opportunity for PNG as an investment destination and a trade partner.

But the Madang Open MP, Bryan Kramer, accused the government of borrowing beyond its means to spend on infrastructure projects in Port Moresby while neglecting basic services around the country.

“The reality is hospitals are running out of medicines. We've now got a polio outbreak. So it seems we're not focussing on our priorities and that is the welfare of the people,” Kramer said.

“If we continue to focus on infrastructure at the expense of people's welfare, then society as we know it will start to collapse and breakdown.”

However, the Governor of PNG's National Capital Disrtict, Powes Parkop, said hosting APEC was a positive move for the country.

Through economic opportunities, which the government claims APEC will open up for PNG, Parkop believed Papua New Guineans could have more self-respect and belief in themselves.

“I think it's absolutely good for Port Moresby but also for Papua New Guinea. It gives us hope for the future because I think for a long time in PNG we came to a dead end, that people thought that this was the end of it. Nothing was going right,” Parkop said.

Creating more economic opportunity was a way to grow PNG's middle class, the governor said.

However,Kramer said that spending beyond its means to host a big event had not helped PNG in the recent past, and with something as huge as APEC, he doubted it could be different.

“The PNG (hosting of the Pacific) Games never delivered much. We spent a billion kina on that. There were other major events: the World Under 20 soccer tournament, we spent a few hundred million on that. Again, it delivered very little,” Kramer said.

“All these roads being built are buried in debt to the Chinese. They're delivering out these projects. They're all attached to loans that we have to pay off, and so most of these contracts are questionable by being inflated.

“These are the issues that we're going to have to face post-APEC, and it's not going to be easy,” he said..

SOURCE: RNZ PACIFIC/PACNEWS/ PNG Today

Christina Kaia is an Oil Search electrical apprentice based at the Company’s Kutubu operations in the Southern Highlands.

Recently, Christina became the first apprentice to receive a completion certificate for the module of Troubleshooting Electrical Circuits which is a computer-based training package that teaches real world skills at fault finding electrical circuits.

The programme is called Simutech Electrical Troubleshooting Training and has been rolled out to all Oil Search electrical and instrumentation trades. The training consists of six modules that increase in difficulty from basic electrical circuits to basic fault finding on Programmable Logic Controllers or PLCs.

Each person works alone on a computer at their own pace and performs fault finding exercises on a series of simulated electrical faults that mimic actual faults. Successful completion of each module requires demonstrating the safe resolution of the faults with no functional components replaced.

Performing troubleshooting and fault-finding tasks are often required of electrical technicians on the job. A multi-meter and other diagnostic methodologies are used to safely and efficiently determine faults in electrical circuits to locate and replace defective parts.

Christina said she has found the programme both interesting and challenging and now understands the process of fault finding and can apply these skills to her job.

Other apprentices whose accomplishments in the training program have been notable are John Abage and David Warima. All apprentices showed great dedication and determination to complete the module with no errors. This has improved their electrical fault-finding skills and encouraged a safe approach to fault finding on electrical circuits.

Organisational or staff development, particularly of its citizen workforce, is one tangible way in which Oil Search continually demonstrates its commitment to PNG. Having highly capable employees contributes to the overall success and effectiveness of the Company and its intention to unlock the country’s full oil and gas potential, ensures continued delivery of long-term value to all stakeholders.

Oil Search has two Training streams for up and coming Tradespeople, a four-year Apprenticeship programme for the Electrical and Mechanical Trades and a Traineeship Programme for Process Technology (3 – 4 years). Participants receive a combination of on-the-job, in-house and external training from the Company. Apprentices are assigned to different facilities or areas to ensure exposure to a broad range of skills. Successful apprentices receive a national trade certificate from the PNG National Apprenticeship Training Board (NATTB). The Oil Search Apprentice Programme has been structured to meet or exceed the expectations of the NATTB and is integrated with of Oil Search’s Competency Assurance Programme. Press Release

PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum has rested Willie Minoga for this weekend’s must win final Round 24 Intrust Super Cup clash against Central Queensland Capras after sustaining a groin injury during last Sunday’s win over the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.
Thompson Teteh returns and will take his spot in the centres. The rest of the starting line- up remains unchanged.

Willie Minoga. Photo by: The National

Utility back Adex Wera becomes the 2nd player after Wartovo Puara Jr to reach the 100 games milestone for the SP Hunters in the Intrust Super Cup when he runs out in the No.4 jersey.
Wera is Hunter # 6 and was a member of the 1st SP Hunters team that played Redcliffe Dolphins in the Intrust Super Cup competition in March, 2014
The 20-man squad: Edene Gabbie, Junior Rau, Thompson Teteh, Adex Wera, Brendon Gotuno, Ase Boas (Captain), Charlie Simon, Enock Maki, Wartovo Puara Jr, Moses Meninga, Nixon Put, Rhadley Brawa, Stanton Albert, Interchange Watson Boas, Ila Alu, McKenzie Yei, Dilbert Isaac, Butler Morris, Sailas Gahuna and Patrick Morea
Coach Michael Marum will finalise the travelling 18-man team this evening before the team leaves for Brisbane tomorrow.
The ISC Round 24 game against CQ Capras kicks off at 6pm on Saturday August 25, 2018 at Browne Park in Rockhampton. The SP Hunters return to Port Moresby on Sunday

Admiral Philip S. Davidson, the Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), will arrive in Port Moresby on Wednesday August 22nd, 2018.

During his visit, Davidson will meet with high-level Papua New Guinea government officials and military personnel from the Papua New Guinea Defense Force.

He will also announce an APEC-related security agreement reflecting the U.S. government’s commitment not only to a successful APEC but also to the overall safety and security of PNG and the Indo Pacific region.
Admiral Davidson is the 25th Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), America’s oldest and largest military combatant command, based in Hawaii.
US INDOPACOM’s area of responsibility encompasses about half the earth's surface, stretching from the waters off the west coast of the U.S. to the western border of India, and from Antarctica to the North Pole. USPACOM is one of six geographic Unified Combatant Commands of the U.S. Armed Forces.

USINDOPACOM includes 380,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Department of Defense civilians and is responsible for all U.S. military activities in the Indo-Pacific, covering 36 nations, 14 time zones, and more than 50 percent of the world’s population.

Prior to becoming CDRUSINDOPACOM on May 30, 2018, Admiral Davidson served as the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Naval Forces U.S. Northern Command. He previously served as the commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, and the commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, while simultaneously serving as the deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa.

DIRECTOR of the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate Chief Superintendent Mathew Damaru has advised the Police Commissioner that the case against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is closed and no further action is intended to be taken against him in relation to his alleged role in the allegations of fraudulent payments made to Paul Paraka Lawyers.

Police Commissioner Baki said today that Chief Superintendent Damaru made this known in a comprehensive brief to the Office of the Commissioner on the status of the ongoing investigations into the allegations of fraudulent payments being made to the law firm which implicated the Prime Minister and resulted in the warrant of arrest obtained against him on 12 June 2014.
Commissioner Baki said, “On 25th February 2018, immediately after the court’s handing down of its decision on the Prime Minister’s case, I wrote to the Prime Minister and invited him to furnish for record purposes a statement providing his side of events leading to the allegations levelled against him.
“On 10th April 2018, the Prime Minister agreed and responded in writing and provided a detailed rebuttal to the allegations leveled against him.
“The Prime Minister’s response was examined by the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate under Chief Superintendent Damaru and a reassessment of the evidence resulted in that the allegations against the Prime Minister lacked the required elements to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The case against the Prime Minister was therefore closed and no further action is intended to be taken against him. The allegations of fraudulent payments made to Paul Paraka Lawyers will continue with the fresh evidence supplied by the Prime Minister.”

POLICE Commissioner Gari Baki says a special investigation team will be formed in NCD soon with the primary objective of detecting and prosecuting members of the Constabulary who are involved in corrupt practices.
This is part of the Constabulary’s bid to clean-up the city in preparations for the 2018 APEC Leaders’ Summit in November.
Selected members of the Constabulary with good standing and character would be randomly selected from the Internal Affairs Directorate, Mobile Squads and Criminal Investigation Division to form this special Investigation team.
He said this after detectives investigating a passport and visa scam arrested a policeman yesterday for allegedly receiving K50,000 from an Asian suspect.
Members of Gordon Minor Crimes and some Mobile Squad personnel went to Boera village on the outskirts of Port Moresby and arrested a policeman identified as Detective Sergeant Stanley Japele after he absconded from his workplace at Police Headquarters.
Japele and another policeman identified as Paul Bari were alleged to have received K50,000 from Aaron Cui, the Chinese national implicated in this scandal.
Japele and Bari were named when the OIC of Gordon Minor Crimes Senior Sergeant Apollos Terry arrested a Central man named as Onne Bani who allegedly gave him K100,000 in cash and requested for him to drop charges against the Chinese national.
According to police records, Cui initially allegedly bribed Senior Sergeant Terry with K10,000 in cash after police raided a property at Kennedy estate and recovered computers, stamps, foreign passports and visas and K149,000 in cash.
Cui and a reserve policeman were arrested for their part in the K10,000 bribery case but several days later, Bani allegedly went to Sergeant Terry’s residence and delivered K100,000 in cash and requested for him to drop the charges against Cui.
Commissioner Baki was immediately notified when this transaction occurred on a Saturday but due to the magnitude and sensitivity of this case Mr Baki specifically instructed the Detectives to collate more evidence and effect arrest on the following Monday.
During the police investigations Bani told police that K50,000 in cash allegedly to free Aaron Cui. Bari was arrested and K6,650 in cash was recovered from him, while Japele absconded from duties for over six weeks until he was arrested yesterday at Roku village.
Commissioner Baki said the Gordon Minor Crimes Unit under the Command of Senior Sergeant Apollos Terry were now acting on his instructions to clamp down on police corruption in NCD.
He said the team arrested a policeman and recovered a military issued high powered Carbine rifle with three magazines containing 180 rounds of ammunition on August 16, after receiving a tip off on a proposed gun sale.
The suspect Ravu Pala a male adult of Hula Central province was charged for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and defacing the serial number of a firearm under the Firearms Act.
Commissioner Baki said over the past 12 months the team has successfully arrested, prosecuted and convicted four policemen to various prison terms ranging from 2 to 7 years.
He said these convicted felons were arrested and charged for various offences ranging from grievous bodily harm, official corruption, indecent assault and aiding a prisoner to escape from lawful custody.
The Commissioner said the success of the Gordon Minor Crimes unit is highly commendable, and as such, they would become an integral part of this special investigation team.
The Commissioner said the allegations of police brutality and corrupt practices within the Constabulary is becoming increasingly evident and prevalent now with the availability of social media, much to a point where tougher action is required to minimize such abuses.
(Ends)

Embattled Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is unlikely to contest a second leadership ballot, making way for Treasurer Scott Morrison as a surprise challenger for the top job, Sky News reported on Thursday.

Turnbull narrowly won a party-room vote on Tuesday by 48 to 35 against former home affairs minister Peter Dutton. But the unconvincing victory left him vulnerable to another challenge.

Dutton called for a second ballot on Thursday, while three senior ministers backed the call, saying Turnbull had lost the majority support of the ruling Liberal party.

Turnbull has been told he has lost the support of the Liberal party room and should step down as Prime Minister.

The crisis has deepened ever further with the Government trying to adjourn Parliament.

Labor leader Bill Shorten said Australia no longer has a functioning Government.

“It is not the Parliament that has failed, it is the Turnbull Liberal Government that has failed,” Shorten told the chamber.

“This is the ultimate admission of surrender.”

The shock move came after senior Liberals said they believed Peter Dutton had enough support to become leader with Victorian Greg Hunt as his deputy.

But Treasurer Scott Morrison is also planning to stand for the Liberal leadership now that it is clear Turnbull no longer has enough support to remain PM.

Senate leader Mathias Cormann and fellow Cabinet ministers Mitch Fifield and Michaelia Cash have told Turnbull he should go, and all have resigned.

Turnbull's Ministry dissolved this morning, with frontbenchers including Hunt, Trade Minister Steve Ciobo, Human Services Minister Michael Keenan, Cyber Security Minister Angus Taylor and Alan Tudge all insisting their resignations be accepted.

Turnbull's strongest backers, including Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Education Minister Simon Birmingham, Defence Minister Marise Payne and Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne are staying firmly with him.

They are expected to throw their support behind Morrison in a challenge.

Senator Cormann, a key Liberal powerbroker, said he believed Dutton was the best person to lead the country to the next election.

“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we went to see the PM yesterday afternoon to advise him that in our judgement, he no longer enjoyed the majority of support of Liberal members,” he said.

Senators Cormann, Fifield and Cash said a majority of their party room colleagues believed there should be a leadership change.

Turnbull called a snap leadership ballot on Tuesday and won by 48 votes to 35.

Dutton's supporters were enthused by that result and have pushed hard ever since for another vote.

Senator Cormann said more Liberal MPs had told him since Tuesday that they had switched their support to Dutton from Turnbull.

“We cannot allow this situation to continue,” Senator Fifield said.

Turnbull has not yet said how he will respond to the apparent collapse in his support.

With Dutton appearing set to become Prime Minister, Labor unsuccessfully tried to refer him to the High Court over his eligibility to sit in Parliament.

The vote to send Dutton to the High Court failed by the narrowest possible margin, 68 for and 69 against.

Turnbull voted with the rest of the Coalition against sending Dutton to the High Court.

Dutton's register of members interests shows he is the beneficiary of a family trust with interests in childcare centres in Queensland.

Those centres, like many around the nation receive Commonwealth Government subsidies.

Meanwhile, The Turnbull government has successfully moved to adjourn Parliament amid a battle over the Liberal leadership, with Bill Shorten arguing the coalition is “irreparably split” and should hang their heads in shame.

Malcolm Turnbull has been told he no longer has majority support in the Liberal party room, with Peter Dutton expected to win a ballot once a meeting can be convened.

So far 13 ministers have resigned, stepping up pressure on the prime minister to quit.

Manager of Opposition Business Tony Burke quickly ripped into the “extraordinary” development.

“What is happening right now is the government have decided this place has fallen apart so completely that they are dissolving the parliament for the day entirely,” he told the lower house on Thursday.

Burke said the coalition government was completely self-obsessed and had no regard for Australian voters.

“There will be no question time today because they don't know who their ministers are ... they don't know who their prime minister is," he thundered across the chamber.

“There will be no question time today because those opposite have stopped governing.”

Shorten said adjourning Parliament was a clear admission of failure and the coalition should hang their heads in shame.

“The government may adjourn the parliament, but they cannot outrun the weight of failure of this government,” he said.

“If anyone needs to depart from this place, it is not the parliament, it is this government of Australia who has lost the confidence not just of its own backbench, not just of the opposition, you've lost the confidence of everyday Australians.

“Shame on you,” he said.

SOURCE: ABC/REUTERS/SBS/PACNEWS

Technology has potential to transform primary health care in Papua New Guinea according to local and international experts at a public discussion held during APEC Health Security Week.

The fourth event in the APEC Discussion Series at the Precinct included a keynote speech by Dr Shin Young-soo, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director, and a panel discussion that featured Hon. Sir Puka Temu CMG KBE MP, Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, and Dr Vivian Lin, former World Health Organization (WHO) Director for Health Sector Development.

The event coincided with APEC Health Security Week and was the fourth iteration in the series, which has offered unprecedented public access to local and visiting experts on APEC topics – including economic integration agriculture and health. The conversation was centred on primary health care and the panellists were quick to highlight the relevance of the 2018 APEC theme – ‘Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future’ – to health in Papua New Guinea.

Sir Puka said Papua New Guinea has the potential to make a technological leapfrog and cover the country with health care services.

“Harnessing technology is so critical for us,” he said, “in Rwanda they use drones to deliver vaccines at a 300 mile radius – that’s transformational, as long as on-site there’s a health worker that can disperse the vaccine. Tele-health or tele-medicine can be used when an obstetric nurse is having a difficult delivery. The obstetrician is ready in a regional hospital to guide that nurse on how to deliver safely.”

Sir Puka Temu also said the health of people across the country depends on both investment in health services and supporting infrastructure.

“Heath is not an expenditure item – it is an investment item. We invest in the health of the nation,” he said.

“The bulk of positive health outcomes don’t come from direct health interventions – they come from non-health interventions,” he continued.

In his keynote address, Dr Shin said primary health care is crucially important for health security for all people, but that building these health services is neither easy nor quick.

“It takes time to build and maintain the right physical infrastructure, to train the workforces, and ensure good planning and links to other parts of the health system,” he said.

“Right now there is an outbreak of polio in PNG and this is a perfect example of the need to keep investing in primary health care to ensure that every man, woman and child gets essential services – such as immunisations.

According to the WHO, the rise of mobile of technologies, applications and cellular networks has the potential to improve and permanently alter the way health services are delivered, and Dr Vivian Lin believes innovation can support health workers to communicate successfully with communities.

“Health – apps on the phone – can, in real-time, let you know how many people are waiting at all the emergency departments and what the waiting time is. That helps people actually make choices about where they may go,” Dr Lin said.

Dr Lin also said that community partnerships are vital for formal health care systems to function well.

“One of the really important things about primary health care is that it’s not just about individuals seeking care – it’s about engaging with communities,” she said.

“When people build trust then we can see a much stronger response from the community to a range of health issues.”

The APEC Discussion Series is hosted by the PNG APEC Secretariat and the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct. The APEC Series continues on 5 September with an event themed: ‘Women in Leadership’.

As a proud Platinum Sponsor of APEC, Newcrest is pleased to be participating in Mining Week, which brings APEC mining ministers and senior officials to Port Moresby to discuss how to maximise the social and economic benefits flowing from mining operations around the world.

At the APEC Mining Policy Private-Public Dialogue today, Newcrest Executive General Manager, Public Affairs and Social Performance Ian Kemish joined a panel on ‘cultivating inclusive growth in the mining industry’. His presentation outlined how Newcrest’s operations deliver real social and economic benefits for local communities and host governments, drawing on a wide range of examples from Newcrest’s programs in Australia, Indonesia, PNG, Fiji, Cote d’Ivoire and Ecuador.

“PNG is a great example of how Newcrest’s operations deliver social and economic benefits to our host communities” said Kemish. “Our mine at Lihir employs and trains around 5,000 Papua New Guinean employees and contractors, plus we help local businesses and suppliers to grow and thrive. Across our communities, we invest in road, education and health infrastructure; scholarships and training; women’s empowerment programs; and community livelihoods.”
Several of the speakers at the Dialogue noted that maximising social and economic growth from mining projects relies on having the right fiscal, regulatory and legislative settings to attract global investors. This includes legislation which provides a fair distribution of benefits between the developer, the state and communities; security of tenure to its investors and stability of investment terms; and necessary protections for the environment, employees and communities throughout the project life cycle.

On Thursday, Newcrest will participate in an industry dialogue with APEC Ministers on the themes of attracting investment in mining, and innovation-driven growth.

APEC Mining Week traditionally includes a visit to an operating site in the host country, and on Friday the APEC delegates will travel to Newcrest’s Lihir mine in New Ireland.

“Newcrest is honoured that Lihir was selected to showcase mining in PNG. The APEC delegates will witness the world-class operations PNG can produce, and also the real community benefits which have flowed from the mining industry” said Kemish

Earlier this year, Newcrest became the first company to sign up as a Platinum Sponsor for the APEC CEO Summit, signaling its commitment to supporting PNG’s milestone year.

With mines in three APEC economies and exploration interests in others, Newcrest also supports APEC’s objectives of boosting regional economic growth and prosperity by fostering more open trade and business links across the region....read more on >> Pacific Mining Watch

A total of 450 personnel of the Lampung-based Tri Wira Eka Jaya`s Infantry Battalion would be deployed to Papua Province on August 26 to safeguard the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea (PNG) border, a military officer said.

“The entire personnel are ready for the deployment,” Deputy Assistant for Operations at the Indonesian Military Headquarters First Marshal M. Khairul Lubis stated when observing the troops` readiness at the infantry battalion compound in South Lampung on Tuesday.

They would be transported by a military ship to Merauke naval ship in the eastern Indonesian province. Then, they would continue their journey to reach their respective border posts by land, he noted.

“They will be deployed in groups to 16 border posts. Each group would have 32 personnel,” he added.

The Indonesian military personnel in Papua Province remain challenged by serious transborder crimes, including drug smugglers.

Early this week, the border security task force of the Army Strategic Command (Kostrad), for instance, successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle two kilograms of marijuana via a border post at Skamto, Papua.

Two suspects from Papua New Guinea (PNG), identified as TK (18) and PV (30), were arrested on Monday when they tried to cross the border into the Indonesian territory of the Papua island, commander of the task force Lt. Col. Eko Anthoni Chandra noted.

The two suspects were caught while driving their vehicle right in front of the Skamto post when the task force was launching a raid on the street.

PV told his investigator that the drug was to be sold in Jayapura, Anthoni remarked, adding that the two suspects lived in different villages in Papua New Guinea not far from the border.

“Now, the two suspects and the drug have been handed over to police for legal investigation,” he revealed.

He stated that the border area is rampant with smuggling of illegal goods, which included not only drugs but also sharp fin, vanilla, and areca nuts. Therefore, the task force has to launch patrol and raids more frequently....

SOURCE: ANTARA NEWS/PACNEWS

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, says it is by law that all District Development Authority meetings be held in the districts, for service delivery to reach our districts and people.

He made these remarks while in his Ialibu to attend the DDA meeting, today.

"There are some projects that have been started and are yet to be completed," PM O'Neill said.

He said the funding we receive from the Government must be distributed in order for us to deliver services to you - our people.

"I am certain that Ialibu-Pangia is changing with the new university being constructed, as all funding allocated has been released by the government to speed up the construction.

"Our country is diversified thus there are many challenges everywhere. But i am confident we can tackle these issues if we continue the delivery of services to our districts.

"I will return in the coming weeks to open the PNG Power office along with the Ialibu-Kagua road, which i just inspected and am pleased with the progress," PM O'Neill said.

He said our DDA members are also focussing on our feeder roads that lead to the main road.

"All these roads must be sealed to ensure our people have easy access to basic services.

"We also plan to upgrade our hospital in line with the standard of the new university and train more doctors to service our people in the rural areas," PM O'Neill said.

He also said community and school issues were also discussed in the meeting and measures are in place to address them.

"With the new Ialibu-Kagua/Erave-Kikori Highway almost completed, you will be able to drive down to Kikori where you can get services from there as well," PM O'Neill said.

Scott Morrison has won the Liberal leadership spill, paving the way to become Australia’s new prime minister.

The Treasurer edged out Peter Dutton, 45 to 40 in a partyroom meeting in Canberra on Friday afternoon.

There were three contenders with Julie Bishop the first to be eliminated.

Josh Frydenberg has been appointed as deputy leader, beating Steve Ciobo and Greg Hunt. Party whip, Nola Marino confirmed Frydenberg won in “in an overwhelming sense”.

The spill motion was carried 45 votes to 40, meaning almost half the partyroom wanted Turnbull to stay in power.

The meeting had been expected to start at midday but was delayed while the 43 signatures on a petition calling for the meeting were verified.

Turnbull is now the fourth prime minister to be dumped by his own party before serving a full three-year term since the revolving door to the prime minister’s office started in 2010.

Turnbull narrowly defeated a leadership challenge from Peter Dutton on Tuesday, but his leadership has since unravelled, with Mathias Cormann heading a string of prominent cabinet figures to resign.

Turnbull’s planned resignation will now force a by-election in his Sydney seat of Wentworth that could threaten the coalition’s one-seat majority in the lower house.

SOURCE: 7 NEWS/PACNEWS

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