Papua New Guinea Today

Commentary

Papua New Guinea Opposition Facebook MPs can not call a strike as an Elected Leaders - Floor of Parliament is the right place to debate with Govt

A nation wide strike is not the way to mislead people into disrepute on the 11th hour of the APEC. Every elected leaders and responsible Papua New Guineans will do everything at this time to ensure that the APEC is delivered without any domestic political fuse to dispute what is wrong and right. We have committed too much to the APEC and this is not an event that one politician in this great country to politicise.

Political leaders have parliamentary avenues to exercise democratic rights on behalf of the people. The public servants and the business community are supporting the APEC and remaining committed until the APEC is delivered. We request every responsible politicians to be one in supporting this historical world meeting event in PNG and postpone all other interests after APEC. These kind of concerns can be expressed after the APEC not now because international media can portray security issues when we are couple of weeks away from the arrival of the APEC World Leaders in PNG.

Ilegal strikes motivated by poltical jealous and hatrate. As long as it is always for politcs there is nothing good for the country. We have done lots of strikes and protests in the past but what have we achieved. Only loss of lives, disruption of schools and student education, stop business and chaos. Politicians fight for their own political agenda using students, activists, public servants on Facebook is illegal and out of political sights. It wont change anything. Only when piliticians change for the good of PNG will see change.

We will not be moved by Kramer or Juffa or Bird. They emotionalise issues but never provide anything concrete and long term solution. You are not different to Don Polye, Ben Micah and many other politcians who thought they could easily oust a sitting Prime Minister by strikes and protests. You have worked so hard to bring Peter O'Neill and PNC done during the 2017 elections but he is back in power by the mandate of the people to serve the people of PNG. Stop cooking up lies. When you say you want to do for the future of the children by organising a violence and protest, can't you see what Peter O'Neill and his government is doing for the Children over the last 7 years with free education. The statistics proof that they are many children in the class room than ever before. Of course they are issues and challanges but it is a reality that there is no fact in the world where everything happens to you liking. Garry Juffa, Kramer and Bird are operating in this mindset where they think they have some quick fix solution to PNG issues.

We can not be mislead by this fallasy and fantasy. We need real leaders with balls to make tough deacisions necessary to change the cause of our children future. Not short cuts like them. The O’Neill government has already set the pace for change. They need to remain focus and genuine to reap the frutis of the policy and legislative refroms they have started. There is no other way to move forward. People must be supported and enaged to productive endveours and meaningful activtiies to proudly drive their own destiny and future of our country.

Over 30-thousand grade twelve students across the country are currently sitting the 2018 National Examinations.

Students from 170 secondary and national high schools, started yesterday with the Maths Paper 1 and History Exams.

NBC News visited the Gordons Secondary school in Port Moresby where students sat for the Physics and accounting papers today, and spoke with the principal George Kenega.

Principal George Kenega said the school has two hundred and eighty one students currently in grade 12.

He said they anticipate a good outcome from the exams, in order to maintain their position as one of the top performing schools in the country.

The students will sit their Economics, Biology and Business Studies papers on Wednesday.

On Thursday they do the Language and Literature and Chemistry. The Information Communication and Technology and Math Paper 2 will be sat for on Friday.

Meantime, Education Secretary Doctor Uke Kombra has urged all schools and students to be fair and not cheat in the exams.

He said the penalty for cheating or assisting to cheat in the National Examination is Non Certification.

Kombra is now calling on all eexternal invigilators, School heads and inspectors to report all observed malpractices to the Measurement Services Division of the Department for analysis and action. NBC News

Papua New Guinea Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch said today he is dismayed to learn that the O’Neill Government has effectively censored the PNG media and threatened one of the pillars of democracy in this country.

Mr Pruaitch said two prominent Opposition leaders, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird and Madang MP Bryan Kramer, had been scheduled to discuss the scandal surrounding the import of 40 Maserati cars from Italy on FM100.

Reports coming in from Port Moresby, Lae and various parts of Morobe Province indicate these broadcasts were blocked by the O’Neill Government in an unprecedented action.
Mr Pruaitch said: “It has long been acknowledged that freedom of the press in PNG is a key pillar of the nation’s democratic institutions, acting as a safety valve on many issues of public interest.

“Freedom of the press and the role of the media has helped PNG retain its reputation ‘as one of the persevering democracies in the developing world,’ as one political scientist put it.

“From this perspective this is a sad day today for all Papua New Guineans. It says a lot that no one is surprised by this development because the O’Neill Government is the first PNG Government on record that has set out to manipulate the mass media in the past few years.”

Mr Pruaitch said he was adding his voice to the call to all Papua New Guineans, in the public and private sector, to stand up and say, ‘enough is enough’, and demand an end to waste and corruption by supporting the nationwide strike on Thursday and Friday initiated by colleagues in the Opposition.

This government is the recipient of more revenue than any government in the nation’s history, but it is constantly broke and unable to keep up with budgeted payments for education and health and causing numerous offices to be locked out of their premises for failure to pay rent.

“These are problems that have never been encountered on this scale in the past,” he said, adding: “The O’Neill Government has no trouble paying for luxury cars, without going through normal government tender processes.”
Statement / PNG Today

Australia will spend $130 million (US$92.8 million) deploying Super Hornet fighter jets, it’s largest warship HMAS Adelaide and elite special forces troops to help Papua New Guinea “deliver a vibrant, Pacific-style APEC” when leaders from 21-member economies gather in Port Moresby in November.

Government officials confirmed the “ballpark” cost of helping Papua New Guinea host more than 10,000 delegates for the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which diplomats believe will help the nation “unlock its potential as a tourism superpower”.

“We are providing this assistance because, quite simply, they asked us to – as close friends and neighbours.”

New Zealand, the United States, China, Canada, Japan and Indonesia are among other APEC nations contributing to security and safety at the largest event Papua New Guinea has ever hosted.

In addition to 500 troops on the ground in Port Moresby, a further 1,500 Australian Defence Force personnel will help enforce a no-fly zone over the island nation from Australia - although officials stress there have been no specific threats to summit security.

Australia has helped the Papua New Guinea Defence Force “rehearse” counter-terrorism scenarios while firefighters from Queensland will also be on standby in Port Moresby during the gathering, crewing new firetrucks funded by China.

“Primary security of APEC venues, motorcades and delegations is wholly on Papua New Guinea, as it should be as the host nation.”

While Papua New Guinea’s Constabulary and Defence Force will lead summit security, it is understood Australian “advisors” will work alongside local authorities with Australian Federal Police and Army on standby as part of an Incident Response Group.

Security will be similar to that seen in Australia at the recent Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Sydney.

As APEC hosts, Papua New Guinea will secure 500 meetings across the year, culminating with the Leaders’ Summit on November 17 and 18.

While most leaders – including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - will spend at least one night in the host nation, US Vice President Mike Pence is reportedly planning to stay in far north Queensland and commute back and forth to Papua New Guinea by plane for the duration of the summit.

It’s understood Australian officials “are highly encouraging all delegations to stay in Port Moresby” because they are highly confident about security and Papua New Guinea is enormously proud of its role as hosts.

Additional troops and federal police will be deployed in Far North Queensland to help safeguard the dozens of world leaders expected to transit through Australia on their journey to PNG.

Diplomats are also helping Papua New Guinea’s government “articulate and shape it’s policy agenda” for the summit, which Australia believes “is a good and positive opportunity for Papua New Guinea to show leadership on free trade and investment” – interpreted by some as an attempt to counter rising Chinese influence in the Pacific and beyond.

SOURCE: SBS/PACNEWS

Papua New Guinea is adding to its APEC luxury vehicle fleet, with the purchase of three new Bentley limousines worth more than $320,000 (US$228,000) each.

The V8 Bentley Flying Spurs will join 40 recently-delivered Maseratis, worth $175,000 (US$124,000) each, in the APEC fleet, as PNG gears up to host the 21-member nation summit next month.

The Maserati purchase outraged many Papua New Guineans as the nation deals with the re-emergence of polio, high rates of tuberculosis infection and ongoing budget challenges.

The Australian has obtained an invoice for the Bentleys, made out to the chief executive of PNG’s APEC Secretariat, Chris Hawkins.

Hawkins is also a senior communications adviser to PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

The vehicles were purchased from a Malaysian-based company called South Pacific Ventures Inc., which describes itself as providing “business consultancy and services on healthcare development projects in Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island countries”.

The cars are due to arrive in Port Moresby this month by sea freight.

The Australian has sought comment on the Bentley purchase from PNG’s APEC Minister Justin Tkatchenko, but he is yet to respond.

The Maserati Quattroporte cars were delivered to Port Moresby last week from Milan, Italy, on two privately chartered Boeing 747 cargo planes.

APEC Tkatchenko said last week that the Maseratis had been “pre-sold” to private sector buyers who would take the vehicles off the government’s hands after the summit.

PNG is the poorest nation in the APEC grouping and faces an array of development challenges.

The official minimum wage is about $1.50 (US$1.07) an hour but unemployment is rife, and the majority of Papua New Guineans live outside the formal economy.

Australia is providing at least $130 million (US$92.8 million) in support to help PNG host APEC.

Australian F/A18 Super Hornets and electronic sensor aircraft will patrol the skies over Port Moresby during the November 17-18 APEC leaders’ meeting, while the helicopter landing ship HMAS Adelaide and several naval patrol boats will protect against maritime threats.

About 1500 Australian Defence Force personnel will also be involved, including special forces soldiers, rounding out the biggest security commitment of any nation in support of PNG’s APEC year

SOURCE: THE AUSTRALIAN/PACNEWS

National airline, Air Niugini will operate its first direct commercial flight between Port Moresby and Shanghai, China on Tuesday, 23rd October 2018.
A cocktail function has been organized for all Chinese stakeholders on arrival including airport authorities, tourism bureau, top travel agents, wholesalers and tour operators. This will be followed by training seminars and a media forum.

The Port Moresby/Shanghai flight will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays.Flights depart Port Moresby at 7:30pm and arrive in Shanghai at 1am, local time the next morning. The return flights on Wednesday and Saturday depart at 02:30am and arrive in Port Moresby at 11:45am. The flight time from Port Moresby to Shanghai on the new direct flight is 7 hours, 30 minutes and 7 hours,15 mintues on the return service.

Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tahawar Durrani when announcing the new flight in Port Moresby today, emphasized that the inclusion of Port Moresby/Shanghai route is a strategic move as it provides an opportunity for Chinese visitors and business people to travel not only to Papua New Guinea but also to the Pacific and Australia.

Mr Durrani said “This service will complement our existing international flights to Asia - Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila and Tokyo – as well as our regional network which includes Honiara in Solomon Islands, Nadi in Fiji, Cairns,Brisbane and Sydney in Australia and Federated States of Micronesia.”
“It also offers convenience for the Chinese and PNG business communities and tourists,delegates attending APEC, as well as hundreds of PNG students studying in various cities in China to fly direct between the two countries.”

The Port Moresby/Shanghai flight also reinforces Air Niugini’s position as a carrier of choice connecting Asia with the Pacific Islands and Australia and further enhances Port Moresby as the gateway hub in the region.

(Image Source: P2-PXV - Air Niugini - Boeing 767-341/ER)

Tickets for the first of the two game International series next Saturday (October 27) between the PNG LNG Kumuls and England Knights in Lae will go on sale next Monday October 22, 2018. PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau said the tickets will be on sale from 9am on Monday at Andersons, Eriku and Foodmart in Town. He added Brian Bell Homecentre at Lae Market will be confirmed by tomorrow.

He said the cost per ticket is K50. “This covers all the stands and the grass areas at the Lae Rugby League ground,” Rau said. He added the cost covers everybody from young to old. “Every person that enters the ground, whether a child or adult must purchase a ticket. There is no separate price for children,” Rau added.

He said this is the first appearance for the PNG LNG Kumuls in Lae since 2014 and the first time an International team is touring the country after more than 15 years or so therefore we believe K50 per person to host the game in Lae is affordable,” Rau said.

He said there are security features on the tickets to prevent counterfeiting and abuse. “The tickets have security features on them and will be scanned on entry so there is no space for cheating,” he said.

He urged the public to buy tickets early as there will be no sales on game day on Saturday. Gates at the Rugby League grounds will open at 9am on Saturday October 27, 2018. The curtain raiser will be an Under 20’s match which kicks off at 12.15pm. The International fixture between PNG LNG Kumuls and England Knights kicks off at 3pm.

The only way to stop allegations of corruption is to be honest and transparent in procurement processes, says Transparency International PNG (TIPNG). In a media statement TIPNG is calling for the Government and APEC Authority to publicly disclose the total cost involved in the purchase of the Maserati and Bentley vehicles and to demonstrate their compliance with public procurement processes.
TIPNG said this in response to public condemnation of the purchase of 40 Maserati sports cars which were delivered last week and other luxury vehicles. Justin Tkatchenko MP, the Minister responsible for APEC, revealed that the government had procured the luxury cars on the expectation that they would be later sold to the private sector after the November APEC Leaders Meeting in Port Moresby.

“We have heard only vehement denials of corruption by the Government and the APEC Authority, but they have not been forthcoming with procurement documents, such as an invitation for bids or receipts of purchase, let alone a list of private sector entities willing to purchase the vehicles. It is therefore not surprising that the public are suspicious of these purchases” said the Board of TIPNG.

“To assuage these legitimate concerns, the Government, particularly the APEC Ministry and the Department of Finance, must publicly release these procurement documents, otherwise it may be necessary for the relevant agencies such as the Police or Ombudsman Commission to compel them to do so by investigating the matter.”
The Government recently passed the National Procurement Act as part of its Alotau II Accord commitments along with a spate of recent Public Finance reform legislation, which was intended to strengthen public trust in Procurement. However it is difficult to see how the general public can have confidence in a system which, in the absence of transparency, is so readily made to support what are seen to be impulsive and extravagant purchases by state entities in the face of declining service delivery, a depressed economy and severe hardships being faced by the ordinary Papua New Guinean.

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Papua New Guinea shadow Minister for Justice and Attorney general has raised concerns over the amended APEC safety and security act 2018.

The Act was passed in 2017 and amended this year.

Shadow Minister Kerenga Kua, who is also the Sinesine-Yongomugl MP, believes the amended APEC Safety and Security Act contracts PNG’s sovereignty to foreign soldiers who will be coming into this country.

Kua says the Act directs citizens to treat foreign security as they would members of the PNG Defence Force and Royal PNG Constabulary, even though this country was not involved in their respective screening and vetting.

“Our Defence Force is the only organisation in Papua New Guinea that protects and defends our boundaries and our sovereignty,” stated Kua.

“You can’t contract that away to somebody else. Somebody tried to do it before in the Sandline case and the people of Papua New Guinea thrashed it.

“They openly came and protested and put an end to that.

“Well, it’s happening again this time around, under the guise of APEC.”

Kua further highlighted that under the same legislation, foreign security forces have been granted immunity from criminal or civil prosecution.

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Safety and Security Act 2017, Section 46 (1):

“A member of the foreign safety and security personnel shall not be held civilly liable or criminally responsible for acts or omissions carried out in accordance with Section 43 and for the purposes of this Act.”

Furthermore, under the ‘Sunset Clause’, which will be in effect from November 9-19, foreign security forces can use ‘lethal force’ if required.

“It says if you get shot, killed or injured during APEC by these foreign troops, it’s your tough luck. That’s what the law says,” stated Kua.

“So if they happen to be involved in a shootout, somebody gets killed or murdered or injured, you can’t prosecute them. The law absolves them of all responsibility.

“It’s got to be unconstitutional, because the Constitution has provisions which protect the interests of its citizens here.”

This concern was raised earlier by Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch, who accused the Government for not considering its people when passing laws.

SOURCE: LOOP PNG/PACNEWS/PNG TODAY

The death benefit payouts by BSP Life continue to increase each year.

This after an alarming statistic revealed that a rising number of these deaths have been through non-communicable disease (NCDs) in the 40 years – 55 years age bracket.

This was revealed at the BSP Life 2018 Fiji Human Resources Institute annual convention at the Sheraton Fiji Resort , BSP Life general manager Distribution and Marketing Michael Nacola said this was a worrying factor.

In total, BSP Life has paid out total of $197.5 million (US$92.1 million) in the past three years with Living Benefits accounting for 60 per cent of the payouts at an average rate of $1m (US$500,000) each week.

The increase in payouts continues considering BSP Life paid out $49.1 m (US$22.9 million) in 2015, $58.6m (US$27.3 million) in 2017 and $42m (US$19 million) till September this year.

In the three year period, BSP Life paid out $70 million (US$32.6 million) in benefits for retirement, mortgage clearance and holiday trips benefits to people over 50 years.

A total of $26m (US$12.1 million) was paid to those in the 41-50 age bracket in this three year period for tertiary education and other needs while

BSP Life paid out bonus allocations to its customers increased from $17.2m (US$8 million) in 2015 to $21.4m (US$9.9 million) in 2017.

Nacola also revealed that life insurance coverage was still low in both the Government and corporate markets.

Only 15 per cent of civil servants are covered by life insurance while in the corporate market 70 per cent of people are uninsured.

Meanwhile Nacola said the increase in NCDs in workplaces was due to people not exercising enough during work hours.

“Companies should adopt wellness programmes for staff as this would help reduce NCDs for ts workers.”

Nacola said this would also be beneficial to companies.

The conference had a Pacific flavour with representatives from the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Nauru and Samoa.

Siose Penitala Teo, general manager of the National Bank of Tuvalu said they have had recently sent staff on work attachment with BSP in Fiji.

“We have an arrangement where my staff come over for short term training attachments,” Teo said.

“We have a HR person presently with BSP and the FHRI Conference could not have come at a better time.

“Back in Tuvalu we are going through a learning process as far as HR goes so this conference will provide us with a lot of information.”

As for digitisation in Tuvalu, Teo said they were building that but doubted it would have any effect on employment.

“Digitisation is taking its toll throughout the world, sso there will come a time where Tuvalu will need to be on par too.”

Doris Dolaiasi said this conference was a learning curve for the Solomon Islands delegation.

“We are trying to improve HR in the Solomon Islands and we want to learn and listen to the experts and take it back home to implement,” Dolaiasi said.

“This includes improving the services of the organisation and improving the workers.”

Another Solomon Island HR personnel, Salome Tashihaka, said the conference was interesting and the modern way forward in HR.

“Also the changes we as HR practitioners face in this continually changing world and technology,” Tashihaka said.

“I have certainly learnt a lot and will take this back to my organisation.”

Both women said digitisation was beginning to emerge in the Solomon Islands.

“We are a beginner really in digitisation,” Tashihaka said.

On whether digitisation would see a loss in jobs for people, Dolaiasi said both technology and people should blend in with each other.

“We cannot go without the human touch so this is needed even with digitisation.”

BSP Life today is one of Fiji largest institutional investors, owning investments like the Sofitel Resort and Spa, Rooster Poultry, MIOT Pacific Hospitals, a number of large properties in the Suva CBD and shares in many more companies.

The company is one of the leaders in the market in both Life and Health Insurance businesses and expect further growth in 2018, with the recent launch of Bula Delite....

SOURCE: FIJI SUN/PACNEWS

Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel has released the new K100 note and 50 toea coin with the APEC logo.

Abel, who chaired the finance ministers’ meeting on Wednesday, said the release of the new notes and coins marked the important commemoration of PNG hosting APEC this year.

He said PNG launched the national currency, the kina and toea on April 19, 1975, before gaining independence on Sept 16.

Abel said the first paper notes issued then were the K2, K5 and K10 while the coins were 1t, 2t, 5t, 10t, 20t and K1.

“Due to the public inconvenience and the cost of minting, the 1t and 2t coins were decommissioned in June 2007 and June 2008,” he said.

“The largest size K1 was demonetised and replaced with a smaller sized coin. The K20 paper note was introduced in 1978 while the 50t coin was issued in 1980 to commemorate the South Pacific Festival of Arts.

“This was followed by the K50 note being introduced in 1989 and the K100 polymer note in 2006.”

Abel said as part of the effort to improve security features, PNG moved from paper notes to polymer notes in 1991.

It became one of the first countries, apart from Australia, to introduce polymer bank notes with advanced security features.

The country is also resizing its coins, and K50 and K20 notes to be consistent with the security features for public convenience.

“The kina bank notes are embedded with visible symbols of traditional values in unity, embracing our many different tribes and cultures with more than 800 languages and economic evolution and development of PNG,” Abel said.

“The PNG currency brings together its people of different cultures.

“The commemorative notes and coins are to mark the historical event of the hosting of the 2018 APEC meetings. To commemorate this event, the Bank of PNG is issuing a commemorative K100 bank note and a 50t coin.”

Abel said the bank note depicted an overprint design of the 2018 PNG APEC logo while the 50t coin had a logo also on one side of it.

SOURCE: THE NATIONAL/PACNEWS

In light of the busy APEC and the usual holiday and Christmas season, and expected increased demand on domestic and existing international routes, Papua New Guinea airline Air Niugini has decided to defer its recently announced flights to Shanghai, China.
Air Niugini announced last week it would start its maiden flight to the Chinese mainland today, before the deferral was announced yesterday.
“Our partners and the airline have invested heavily in setting up operations to achieve our goal of opening the Chinese market to Papua New Guinea.
“It is our desire to complete this venture at the earliest possible opportunity.
“Our industry partners have been briefed of this change and all booked customers are offered a full refund without penalty or reroute via alternative Air Niugini destinations.”
It stated it would review the introduction of China flights at a later date, adding its commitment to the Asia Pacific region and growing its services to the neighboring countries.
The cancellation of the maiden Shanghai flight will see the huge thriving tourist market of China starved off the opportunity to visit PNG direct.
Air Niugini maintained its commitment to ensuring the highest quality, on time service to all passengers and will continuously review its business to improve efficiencies.

Papua New Guinea Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch said the special security legislation passed for APEC is an indictment on the local police and creates more of a risk to the people and sovereignty of the nation.

In a statement he said they have seen the government bend over backwards to host the APEC leaders meeting which will take place next month.

The Opposition leader added that an estimated 2 billion Kina has been spent in Port Moresby alone at the expense of the people’s welfare, security and interest.

Mr Pruaitch said the nation is now further insulted by this legislation that does not safeguard the rights of its people in the event that any citizen be injured or worse still be killed.

He questioned, what country opens itself up to allow private security personnel (section 14 of the Act) and foreign forces to take pot shots at its citizens?

He highlighted that the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Safety and Security Act 2017, Section 46 subsection 1 states: “A member of the foreign safety and security personnel shall not be held civilly liable or criminally responsible for acts or omissions carried out in accordance with Section 43 and for the purposes of the Act.”

He added that Section 43 subsection 3 states, “The involvement of foreign safety and security personnel in safety and security operations may include the engagement and use of capabilities, and the capabilities may include, but are not limited to, weapons, vehicles, aircraft and maritime vessels.”

Meanwhile, former PNG Defence Force commander has expressed serious concerns with the latest version of the APEC Safety and Security Act 2017.

The National Government had recently passed a legislation which gives unprecedented powers to foreign forces and security personnel to protect visiting leaders during the APEC summit in November.

Major General Jerry Singirok had said the engagement of foreign forces directly violates the country constitution.

NBC NEWS

PNG's Madang MP Bryan Kramer and the Opposition are pushing for a nationwide boycott while the Government has explained that all APEC assets will be disposed through public tender.

The planned boycott or stay away from work has been received with mix public reaction with major union bodies including the PNG Trade Union Congress, Police Union and Teachers Association distancing themselves from taking part.

Mr Kramer said this boycott will be the first of its kind where individuals can exercise their choice to stop work and stay home in protest over unaccounted spending of millions on the purchases of 40 Maseratis’ and 3 Bentleys’ for the APEC Leaders Summit at a cost of K23 million.

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has warned that the US will bolster its nuclear arsenal to put pressure on Russia and China.
Speaking to reporters, he repeated his belief that Russia has violated the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, which he has threatened to leave. Russia denies this.
The Cold War-era treaty banned medium-range missiles, reducing the perceived Soviet threat to European nations.
Russia has warned it will respond in kind if the US develops more weapons.
Mr Trump said the US would build up its arsenal “until people come to their senses”.
He added: “It’s a threat to whoever you want to include China and it includes Russia and it includes anybody else that wants to play that game… (Russia has) not adhered to the spirit of that agreement or to the agreement itself.”
Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser John Bolton has been holding talks in Moscow after Russia condemned the US plan to quit the deal.
Mr Bolton was told that the US withdrawal would be a “serious blow” to the non-proliferation regime.
However, Russia’s Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev also said the Kremlin was “ready” to work with the US to remove “mutual” grievances over the INF.
As Mr Bolton began his visit, Moscow warned it would take steps to maintain the balance of nuclear power.

– BBC

The Chief Secretary to Government, Ambassador Isaac Lupari, described the antics of a few opposition members telling people to boycott the economy as self serving.

"It goes without saying that all public servants will stay out of politics and continue to work.

“I do not want to see any public servants involved in this politics in any way, as this would be in breach of the Public Service Act and their employment conditions.

“This government has been very fair to all public servants making sure that all entitlements and long overdue benefits are addressed adequately and continues to do so.

"This nonsense is not a strike about an industrial issue, but a soapbox for self-serving politicians.

"The call by these opposition is for a boycott of the economy of Papua New Guinea, and the economies of all of our provinces and districts. "This is an attempt by a few desperate people to get public attention for they own personal gain.

"They have no interest in national development, they just want to play their own politics.

“I call on true leaders to show restraint and not be caught up in fake news and nonsense."

The Chief Secretary said APEC is a source of pride for the Nation, and will leave very positive lasting impacts.

"APEC is a national event and of great importance for the men and women of our country.

“Our APEC engagement is opening new doors for investment and trade, and is creating opportunities to expand skills and knowledge. "This is not the time for little politics, now is the time for all Papua new Guineans to come together.

“The world is watching us, and we will do our best to make sure our culture and the progress taking place in our country is seen around the globe." Press Release

Australian Defence officials have been deployed on a "scoping visit" to Manus Island as Australia and Papua New Guinea work on plans to develop a joint naval base.

Department of Defence officers were sent to survey the Lombrum base between August 28 and 30, after PNG prime minister Peter O'Neill expressed interest in working with Australia to redevelop the site as a joint facility.

Appearing before a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Wednesday, Defence secretary Greg Moriarty said Australia would likely shoulder most of the costs.

“My expectation is that should the Australian government agree to something like that, we would take the lion's share of the funding,” Moriarty told the committee.

“But PNG would make a contribution, as they do already, to the maintenance and sustainment of that base.”

The naval base is considered a potential strategic asset as Australia tries to contain China's growing military influence in the Pacific.

Australia is already spending $5 million (US$3.5 million) to upgrade a wharf at the facility as it prepares to “gift” PNG four patrol boats.

The government expects to spend $40 million (US$28 million) on Defence projects in PNG this financial year.

International policy officer Hugh Jeffrey said discussions about the naval base upgrades were ongoing, and a final decision would be made at a prime ministerial level.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne told the committee she met with O'Neill and various PNG cabinet ministers two weeks ago.

Asked several times whether the Lombrum naval base was discussed, Senator Payne replied wryly: "We discussed a broad range of issues."

Labor senator Penny Wong asked Chief of Defence Force Angus Campbell whether an announcement on the base would be made at an APEC summit in PNG next month.

General Campbell said it was a matter for government.

"So that's a yes," Senator Wong replied.

SOURCE: AAP/PACNEWS

The Papua New Guinea bank workers union have called on the government to be accountable over the Maserati deal and support the planned stop work but also advised members to make good judgement on the strike action.

Killie Sapu, the National President of PNG Banks & Financial Institutions Workers Union, said the union supports the call for transparency in every major transaction including the Maserati deal.

“Although the PNGBFIWU supports the stop work, it cannot guarantee the protection of employment of its members and therefore calls on its members to exercise care and good judgement when making a decision to participate or not,” she said.

The PNG Public Employees Association has called for a thorough investigation into the purchase of 40 Maserati by the government, which received widespread criticism both locally and internationally.

President Robert Kutapai said the government cannot afford these vehicles at a time when the country is running out of money:

“We have outstanding industrial issues yet to be resolved, yet the government sees fit to find money to purchase expensive vehicles,” said Katupai.

As for the planned stop-work this Friday, Mr Kutapai said it is up to its members to decide for themselves whether they want to be part of the Opposition-proposed nationwide boycott or not. NBC news

With only 20 days remaining for the arrival of the APEC Leaders from its 21 economies, preparations are at their peak for both the host Papua New Guinea and the visiting delegations.

Several of APEC's larger economies have indicated making their flights to Port Moresby.

Russia was the first to make the test flight to Port Moresby to check out the facilities at the Port Moresby International Airport.

It's Ilyushin Il-96 aircraft made its maiden flight to Port Moresby via Ho Chi Mihn City in Vietnam yesterday.

The Ilyushin II-96 is the Russian presidential aircraft used by the President of Russia and other government officials, and is operated by Rossiya Airlines.

On hand to receive the delegation were the senior officials from the National Airports Corporation, including the Chief Operating Officer, Rob Parkinson.

Mr. Parkinson said, "this is a Russian Ilyushin 96 aircraft. It's flown all the way from Russia here, via Ho Chi Minh.

"It's here to do a trial for the APEC because when APEC's on Russia will be bringing their leader, on this particular aircraft.

"And so they want to see where they going to park and look at the terminal to see the facilities they'll use and also look at the ground handling equipment we have here."

From the developments taking place at the Jacksons Airport, it can cater for up to six aircrafts of the same size as the Russians aircraft.

NBC News is also aware that the aircraft which the Chinese President, Xi Jingping, will be using to fly to Port Moresby will be bigger than the rest that will be coming for the APEC Leaders' Summit.

NBC News - Dorcas Sarwan

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Russia's Ilyushin II-96 makes trip to Port Moresby, PNG in preparation for APEC