| They are eagerly awaited for the fortunes they are said to bring islanders. And they are equally feared for the destruction they are alleged to have on traditional Pacific ways. Either way, the Chinese are coming. Many are already here in the islands, but the expectation of a far bigger Chinese presence is overwhelming. And the preparation is almost non-existent, in terms of Pacific understanding of the culture, politics, economy or language of China. Many visits are made there—but usually paid for by the hosts, and with an overwhelming focus on seeking financial and material benefits from a China perceived wrongly as wealthy. In fact, China's average wealth is lower than that of many islands countries. But its living standards have been growing very rapidly—for reasons which, for the most part, remain mysterious in the Pacific, because of its inadequate understanding of China: hard work, savings, a family focus on education, a government focus on building—and maintaining high quality infrastructure, and a priority on creating the settings needed for business success and thus for jobs, the core factor in development. In Papua New Guinea, Planning Minister Paul Tiensten has boasted that the country "can become the China of the Pacific." But, while he referred in general terms to "aligning itself with short and long-term government strategies," it is unclear which qualities of China he had in mind. As Australia and New Zealand review and prepare to restructure their aid programmes in the region, China's Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai stated clearly at the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Port Vila last August: "China will push forward its relations with the islands countries to a higher level." But the gap between islander expectations and China's capacity and desire to deliver is growing steadily wider as the performance of Pacific societies continues to trail their citizens' hopes. No Pacific country is in the top half of the 2010 UN Human Development Index. Many are turning to China, as the great success story of development in this new millennium, to lead the way. New exploiters At the same time, in some areas, the Chinese are being demonised as the new exploiters. The truth, as ever, is somewhere in between. And it is all the harder to discover and disseminate, since so few Pacific islanders have the experience and skills to understand and explain what drives China and Chinese business. Most Pacific leaders visit China with their hands out for personal or national favours, not with their notebooks open ready to observe and note how China has achieved its remarkable development successes. There is a wide expectation that the best way to achieve maximum material benefits is to set China up to out-perform its apparent Western "rivals" such as Australia, New Zealand and the USA. This assumes that diplomatic relations and aid are part of a big strategic game in which the winner takes all. This was indeed the situation when China and Taiwan vied for diplomatic partners in the region. But since the smart and very internationally minded lawyer Ma Ying-jeou won the presidency in 2008, that rivalry has largely been placed in abeyance. China has eight diplomatic partners among the islands states, Taiwan has six, and the two sides have tacitly agreed to leave the great game at that score for at least a few years to come. That gives the countries scope to focus not so much on "greasing" the politicians in power as on consolidating their relationships and their support for the countries that recognise them. China and Taiwan are also now especially keen to participate in regional programmes as "responsible stakeholders" in the international system. As he proved so often in his long career as an expert island-watcher, the late Professor Ron Crocombe was prescient in his final book, choosing as the topic "Asia in the Pacific Islands: Replacing the West." Compete for influence He said in terms of external military influence, the Pacific was known from the 1500s as "a Spanish lake", from the late 1700s as "a British lake", and from World War II "an American lake". Today, he said, the Asian powers are vying for that title, as China and Taiwan, Japan and India compete for influence. A century ago, Crocombe said, "Asians were among the least educated, poorest and lowest-status people in the region". Today, that has all changed. Asia is the main market for the commodities—minerals, oil and gas, timber, fish, tree crops—that the Pacific sells, and increasingly for tourism too. And as Crocombe wrote, "Islanders do not feature in business or politics in Asia—whereas Asians are prominent in business and influential in politics in the islands". Islands governments, he said, which after independence sought self-reliance, "now seek foreign investment—in fact, they plead for it". And as Japan, then Taiwan, Korea and Singapore, and now China, have enjoyed a surge of growth and surplus capital, they have risked some of it in the Pacific, focusing on extraction or speculation more than production, with fishing, logging, land and hotels common targets. Since the 1990s, Crocombe said, "conditions in the islands have attracted speculative 'frontier' enterprises from Asia seeking short-term gains using opportunistic techniques"—a polite term for corruption. The key goals of the aid policies of the larger Asian nations, he said, include islands' votes at the United Nations and at other international forums, and resources. "They try to influence the political and strategic positions of islands governments, as do Western donors, despite denials from all of them." New Asian paradigm But Crocombe believed that long after the tides of population, trade and investment have turned in favour of Asia, Western influences were likely to remain strong because of the English language, Western patterns of education, entertainment and organisation—and Christianity. He lamented that little was being done in the islands to prepare people to gain optimum benefit from the new Asian paradigm. "Responses are needed across the board—not just in foreign policy and practice, but in the preparation of teachers, curricula, media personnel, politicians, civil servants and the public, as well as adaptation of the economy to benefit from the new potentials." The biggest island nation, Papua New Guinea, is at the frontier of these new challenges, as so often happens. It is the first recipient of a major Chinese investment—the $US1.5 billion Ramu nickel mine being developed by one of the country's biggest state-owned businesses, Metallurgical Construction Corporation (MCC). The succession of problems encountered so far during the project's development—labour issues, landowner disagreements, environmental battles—have placed MCC on a fast learning curve. The company appeared to have expected that its strong relationship with Prime Minister Michael Somare and elements of the central government should be sufficient to ward off any challenges. But it has since learned the need to address all the stakeholders more directly, and has discovered the fiercely independent nature of the legal system in PNG. As Bougainville seeks under its new president, the veteran politician and former Catholic priest John Momis, to regain some of its once envied living standards, it is looking to reopen the copper mine closed 21 years ago at the start of the civil war and to attract investment from China—to which Momis was formerly the PNG ambassador. Momis has joined others in urging that China—to which he recently led a large delegation—be adopted as a model for PNG, stressing the country's success through opening its economy to foreign capital, technology and management skills. But at the same time as Sinophilia—a love of China—is growing in PNG and elsewhere in the Pacific, so is Sinophobia—a fear or hatred of China. Bernard Yegoria, a Papua New Guinean studying for a master's degree in international relations at Jilin University in China's north-east, said: "We witnessed the ransacking of Asian businesses in 2009, mostly targeting people of ethnic Chinese origin in major towns because of the disparity of wealth. "This Sinophobia is growing and could lead to a major social uprising. Chinese entrepreneurs were in PNG a long time before independence and contributed immensely to PNG's development as a sovereign nation. "But in more recent years, a new wave of Chinese immigrants and business activities has moved in a different pattern. "The Chinese have adapted to the changes in PNG society, backed by their guanxi (network) system that is similar to our wantok (relative) system. "We, on the other hand, have failed to evolve the way we do business. As a result, the lack of opportunity experienced by middle and low class citizens has led them to take out their frustrations on foreign-owned businesses"—with the new Chinese migrants, some of whose legality has come under question, in the front line. So at one level, politicians seek support from China, importers depend on Chinese goods, exporters look to Chinese markets, with businesspeople and officials constantly visiting China, as they have done last year for the Shanghai expo. At another very different level, there is a disconnect and intense mistrust between grassroots islanders and the new class of Chinese migrants, workers and businesses. The declaration of peace in the diplomatic war between China and Taiwan, which was especially hot in the Pacific, is a key factor that will permit both countries to start to address such poor perceptions, rather than focusing on consolidating their own supporters and seeking through chequebook diplomacy to entice more countries to join their banners. Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu recognise Taiwan, the other eight islands countries recognise China. Taiwan's President Ma has admitted publicly that corruption was a side-effect of this diplomatic war, which involves a quarter of Taiwan's total diplomatic partners around the world. He told ISLANDS BUSINESS during a visit to Solomon Islands in 2010: "We wanted a framework that puts cross-strait relations and our foreign relations on the same plane. "As we have improved relations with China, countries which are China's allies have done the same with us.'' And Taiwan is now, he said, relaxed about its partners building links with China outside diplomacy. That regional visit helped him flesh out how Taiwan's new aid programme will function, with different countries hosting technical assistance programmes that can be tailored for most of the six countries—encouraging a return to healthier diets, operating on cataracts, advising on land reform, for instance. When Ma arrived in the Solomons, he was told bluntly what had to change. The Solomon Star editorialised to him on "the abuse of your taxpayers' money by MPs using Taiwanese aid money as a slush fund. We are begging you to put a stop to this". Ma said President Frank Kabui twice raised such concerns during a state banquet. "Ever since I got here," he said, he had been confronted about the corrupt use of Taiwanese aid. He said: "That is exactly our instruction to our ambassador here. We have a watchdog agency in our government structure, the Control Yuan. It is in charge of investigating bureaucratic activities, and our ambassador here knows that very well. "I sometimes joke to our ambassadors that they have to let their friends know I used to be the justice minister." For a rare moment, though, he wasn't smiling. "We've been accused before of doing things not quite acceptable by international standards," he said candidly. China and Taiwan are both offering scholarships to islanders, through the Pacific Islands Forum. As China's vice-minister, Cui said at the last Forum summit in Port Vila: "China is ready to maintain the high-level exchanges, deepen economic and trade cooperation, and further strengthen cooperation with Pacific islands' regional organisations." This is a side of China's Pacific strategy that appears to be rarely noticed—but is becoming increasingly important. China has been prepared, for instance, to provide Fiji with more material support as Western powers hold back until the country's military rulers hold elections, but this has been more modest than many—including the government—had hoped. Tai chi instruction on the Sukuna Park oval for public servants, while clearly beneficial, does not compensate for the country's economic downturn. Essentially, China wants to work cooperatively within the islands region—including with Australia and New Zealand, to which it has become as close as to any Western countries. It looks to Australia for crucial supplies of minerals and has a free trade agreement with New Zealand. The words of Vice Minister Cui need to be taken as they were intended. China will refuse to be played off as "siding" with any one country or group within the region, where its aid increased by six times from 2005-2008, filling—as Danielle Cave of Lowy Institute in Sydney puts it—"the gap left by US neglect," although Washington, waking up, did send its largest delegation ever to the Forum summit in Port Vila. Beijing lifting its game The Lowy Institute presented a report in 2009 that claimed "China lacks a coherent strategy for its aid programme in the Pacific—beyond checking and reversing diplomatic recognition of Taiwan [a goal now made largely redundant]—and tends to pursue short-term objectives. "China pledges aid in an erratic manner, funds projects without regard to recurring cost, and the secrecy surrounding its programme obstructs development outcomes and breeds suspicion." Beijing has worked since then to lift its game, in part by getting closer to other major aid donors in the region. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi stressed on December 2: "It's important to note that China-US relations in Asia and the Pacific region should be cooperative and win-win—not a zero-sum game." To turn win-win into an even better win-win-win, requires the Pacific to lift its game too, and to work to understand China and how it works in order to benefit more fully from its extraordinary rise without letting negative elements of that rise overflow into the islands |
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sinophillia or Sinophobia?
Tribunal says Somare can remain prime minister during misconduct hearing
A leadership tribunal has ruled
The three-member tribunal bench has decided two-to-one in favour of Sir Michael Somare remaining in the top job.
The tribunal is into its third day of hearing 25 allegations that the Prime Minister failed to complete or did not file financial statements from as far back as 20 years ago.
From the witness box Sir Michael has told a packed courtroom he had always submitted his financial records to the Ombudsman Commission.
But the Prime Minister also said that missing financial statements central to the prosecution’s case could have been lost when he moved office or changed jobs, or been lost by a staff member.
Sir Michael was also asked about his financial earnings relating to his statements, and said he never received any extra pay.
Julia Gillard under the microscope
From JOHN PASQUARELLI
Juliar's performance in the US should have been a few weeks earlier – she would have won an Oscar!
The 16-year-old Juliar who declared she was a socialist and a feminist when she joined the Labor Party, became the misty-eyed Juliar PM when speaking to the US Congress about America's battle during the Cold War and its trip to the moon.
The young Juliar was an active member of the Socialist Forum which was just a rebadged Communist Party of Australia that wanted to scrap ANZUS and get US bases out of Australia, something Juliar's speechwriter obviously wasn't aware of.
Juliar and her union backers have another hurdle ahead – placed in their path by none other than mining billionaire Gina Rineheart, who out of the blue has called for us to bring in unskilled Asian guest workers to help out in remote areas of Australia, which is amazing given that mining today in Australia demands highly skilled workers which includes fluency in English.
Is Rineheart in a time warp – back to the days of coolies using picks and shovels?
What's concerning is that it appears she has made this announcement without consulting with her team?
More ammunition for serial electioneer Pauline Hanson?
Lihir mine gets OK for K3.5b upgrade
By JASON GIMA WURI
THE Lihir gold mine last Friday received the green light to upgrade the capacity of its processing plant at a cost of K3.5 billion, The National reports.
The upgrade will help secure the economic future of the mine on
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Port Moresby for the ministerial approval in principle (AIP) of the capacity upgrade, Newcrest chief operating officer Greg Jackson said the approval was the next to last step in what had been a rigorous and thorough approval process.
“In extending the financial security of the mine, it also extended the social and economic development opportunities for the people of Lihir, the New Ireland province and the state through royalties, taxes and opportunities,”
The mine has thus far contributed more than K5 billion to the economy since 1997.
He acknowledged the contribution of all stakeholders during the rigourous consultation process, with particular reference to the Lihir landowners, government departments and authorities, the
He said the plant upgrade was scheduled for throughput ramp up in 2013.
Tribunal to decide on Sir Michael's fate today
By JULIA DAIA BORE and JACOB POK
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare will today know his fate on whether or not he will be suspended from office by the leadership tribunal hearing misconduct allegations against him, The National reports.
This will follow arguments by lawyers from both sides on whether or not the prime minister should be suspended.
Today may see both Sir Michael and accountant Glenn Blake taking the witness stand.
Last Friday, the prime minister’s defence team filed two affidavits at 12.30pm – that of Sir Michael and Blake – just before the tribunal convened at 1.30pm and served the documents to the prosecuting team (from the offices of the public prosecutor and the Ombudsman Commission).
The affidavits were then submitted by counsel representing the prime minister, Ian Molloy, to the tribunal during the hearing.
The tribunal, comprising chairman Roger Gyles and members Sir Bruce Robertson and Sir Robin Auld, asked public prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin what he thought of the late affidavits and he said he needed time until today to peruse the documents before replying.
The tribunal agreed to Kaluwin’s request and adjourned at about 2.30pm, setting 9.30am today to reconvene.
Outside court, counsel assisting the hearing Kerenga Kua said the prime minister’s team would ask for Sir Michael and accountant Blake to take the witness stand.
In his affidavit filed last Friday, Sir Michael stated: “I am aware of my obligations to give the Ombudsman Commission annual financial returns pursuant to the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership.
“Initially, I had personally completed my returns and lodged them.
“It has never been my intention not to comply with my obligations in respect of my financial statements.
“I have completed my statements honestly and to the best of my ability.
“However, through pressure of the business of government, the need to travel between my electorate and
Sir Michael stated also that in 2000, he had engaged Blake, an accountant and family friend, to assist him with his outstanding returns and provided Blake the forms for May 1997-98 and May 1998-99.
In Blake’s affidavit, he stated that he came to know the Somare family through his business association with Arthur Somare at the time.
Blake confirmed being asked in 2000 by Sir Michael to assist him with his outstanding returns.
“I remember, specifically, asking him whether there were any earlier outstanding returns and he told me that he had prepared all the previous returns and they had been lodged.”
In relation to the returns being incomplete, Blake stated having difficulties obtaining Sir Michael’s salary details from the parliamentary salary section.
“I was unable to obtain an actual figure from parliament for any one year. No pay advice slips or certificates are issued and, frankly, despite my best endeavours, they were simply unable to tell me what Sir Michael had been paid in any one year.”
Relating to blank spaces in the forms, Blake said it was his “oversight”, adding that the intention was that the blank spaces were to indicate that there was, for instance, no income of that category derived.
Blake expressed being shocked at the Ombudsman Commission’s allegations about the missing statements, saying: “This came as a bombshell to me because it referred to outstanding returns for the years 1994-95, 1995-96 and 1996-97.
“I have never heard of this before and, of course, it did not accord with what Sir Michael had told me when I was asked to prepare the 1997-98 and 1998-99 returns.
“I looked for any correspondence from the Ombudsman Commission on the subject and could find none.
“I then noted from the Ombudsman Commission’s letter of Oct 18, 2006, that the last correspondence from the commission on the subject was February 1998.
“There was apparently nothing subsequent to Feb 1998 and, certainly, nothing that I have seen.
“If I had any inclination during that eight-year period, that there were allegedly earlier outstanding returns, I would have acted to resolve the situation,” Blake stated, adding that Sir Michael had remained adamant that he had completed and lodged all his returns earlier; prior to those that Blake had been asked to take on to complete for Sir Michael.
In the final paragraph of his affidavit, Blake stated that under the current situation, with the missing returns for 1995, 1996 and 1997 that could not be located anywhere, he had now gone ahead and prepared “new returns” for those same years which Sir Michael had signed and filed last Friday.
He added that had he been aware they had not been lodged, as claimed now, he would have attended to them at the same time he had prepared the returns for the years 1997 and 1999.
Office: PM in perfect health
By ISAAC NICHOLAS
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare is fine, confident and looking forward to facing the leadership tribunal this morning, The National reports.
There have been concerns about his health as he slid down his seat in a temporary lapse during the hearing last Friday morning.
The office of the prime minister has denied any serious health problems, saying Sir Michael will be at the tribunal today.
Spokesperson and the prime minister’s daughter Betha Somare told The National over the weekend that Sir Michael, who did not want to keep the tribunal waiting, had rushed up the ramp at the Supreme and
She said the prime minister’s short lapse in the courtroom was not serious, but the public prosecutor called for a short adjournment as a precaution.
“He (PM) did not want to keep the judges waiting so he rushed up the ramps and was out of breath. He is fine, confident and looking forward to facing the tribunal tomorrow (this) morning,” she said.
The prime minister’s office also denied speculations that he had again collapsed at his home and was rushed to a private hospital and then flew out of the country for medical treatment at the weekend.
The prime minister had been going abroad for regular medical checks but last Friday’s lapse was unrelated.
Sir Michael is facing charges of misconduct in office for failing to submit his annual returns to the Ombudsman Commission between 1994 and 1997.
The prime minister’s morale and confidence had been boosted by his entire cabinet ministers attending the leadership tribunal last Thursday and Friday.
Waves hit Wewak
By GABRIEL FITO
THREE waves swept through the township of Wewak and its coastal villages last Friday night, destroying thousands of kina worth of properties, The National reports.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Wewak residents living near along the coast were evacuated to Wewak Hill and
The tsunami alert was issued around the Pacific when a giant earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter Scale hit Honsu in
Back in Wewak, the only road to Second Royal Pacific Island Regiment base at Moem, which runs along the coastline, was battered and filled with debris and sand making it impassable for most vehicles.
A section of the road from Pukpuk Bridge to Petrus Point which was partly washed away by the recent king tide in December 2008 was made worse by last Friday’s waves.
All vehicles from Moem village and the army barracks are now using an access road which runs through swamp land on the eastern coastline to Sawarin village near
Wewak rural LLG president Francis Hevu toured all coastal villages on Saturday morning and sympathised with his people.
He said like the Moem Barracks road, the road to
These roads were built on swamp land between mangroves and sea but with last Friday’s waves, the sea had extended its shoreline onto the roads.
This means that if a tsunami or king tide were to strike, all roads would be completely destroyed.
Local villagers and settlements in town as well as shops and offices located less than 200m away from the shoreline were flooded.
A number of bush material houses on the beaches were brought down with canoes and dinghies either broken or washed inland.
A hamlet at Moem village had all its water wells covered by debris and salt water and locals said their main need now was for clean water to drink and cook with.
Hevu said he would seek assistance from the provincial disaster office today.
Meanwhile, there were unconfirmed reports of damages caused by the earthquake to the
Think, discuss and stand behind your conclusions
From JOHN FOWKE
Today there is an increasing inclination among Papua New Guineans who have access to the net to post their views, their praise and their criticism in a wide variety of PNG-orientated blogs and in the daily and weekly papers.
This is the sign of freedom and fairness which should prevail in a country with the sort of constitution PNG possesses.
But in what seems a complete negation of such an assumption, almost none of these hundreds of commentators is willing to sign his or her own name!
As well, all of these people allocate blame and portray the manifest weaknesses and injustices faced by ordinary citizens, aspects of life in PNG
which are continuously featured in the news; and which have been featured time and again for more than the past decade.
Very few however are able to come up with reasoned practicable solutions- and this is what I find so extremely frustrating; this is why I continue to contribute my own views even though I receive the occasional rebuke for my pains.
Of course, I dont apologise at all.It would make me happy if others, born PNGans, took over my very minor role here. In a land where so great a number of the young and educated are apparently so insecure within their own society that they are not prepared to state their opinions over their given names, nor do anything much but criticise, is it not pointless to pine almost daily for " a new charismatic leader" or " a return to the application of principles in leadership as opposed to convenience and personal greed" as we read so often?
In a society so shy of making a strong stand upon any principle is it likely that such potential leaders are present and willing to come forward in any number?
These problems will not be resolved by suggestions for confrontational activity like "civil disobedience" as has been spoken about recently.
Any such an effort if it came to pass would be seen as a rebellion, and rightly so. It would be put down by the rulers of the nation using force as necessary.
This is not something to be considered.
PNG's big problems are:
( 1) too many working citizens at all levels are both lazy and dishonest within the workplace. This applies in commerce as well as within the hugely-inefficient public service.
( 2) the citizenry, the electorate, is not connected to the parties and has little idea at all of the role parties and MPs should desirably play. This major disconnect is fully responsible for the powerlessness of PNG's people to effect changes and remedies to unfair, inefficient and dishonest practices in the public sector
Civil disobedience is not an effective remedy for these issues even if it was not contested by the authorities.
Focused electorates and well-managed elections are the way ahead.
The remedy lies in a focused electorate which selects its MP on the basis of the quality of the individual, allied to a signed and witnessed agreement to serve the electorate through the medium of its local level government (LLG). This by constantly consulting with the LLG/s, carrying out agreed instructions, and reporting back in person to the LLG, as well as by depositing funds allocated for discretionary development in an account accessible only via approvals stemming from the LLG's annual budget.
In this situation the ward councillors will combine to watch over and effectively control government inputs within the LLG area; schools, aid-posts, policing and roads and buildings; and focus needs and demands via the MP and the LLG chairman to government.
This arrangement will be opposed, naturally, by PNG's established political class which has luxuriated in a level of freedom and unilateral decision-making which has led to present-day dissatisfactions.
There will be a contest here, but wise MPs will see that there is the advantage of long-term tenure for those who play the game.
An assurance of security which has always been notably absent in PNG politics.
The parties have always been too fluid, focused on momentary advantage rather than good policy, to provide the basis for lasting success for even the best of the nation's MPs.
Such a movement for change might very well be backed by a renewed effort by PNG's Christian community; a commitment to combine to enter the field as a second nation-wide focus group in support or in coalition with the L:LGs.
Here may lie the seed for stability, honesty and full equity in the commonwealth of PNG.
The end of powerlessness and the beginning of true nationhood.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Somare health scare at PNG hearing
By LIAM FOX of ABC
The health of Papua New Guinea's elderly Prime Minister has caused a commotion at a tribunal investigating allegations of official misconduct.
A breathless Sir Michael Somare arrived late to the leadership tribunal that is hearing allegations he failed to properly lodge several years financial returns.
After he took a few doses from an asthma puffer, the 74-year-old's head rolled back and he appeared to be on the verge of fainting.
His daughter and official spokeswoman Betha Somare gasped audibly and rushed to his side.
The proceedings came to a halt as several other people crowded around the elderly statesman.
But after a few sips of water Sir Michael laughed off their concerns and told the tribunal he was fit to continue.
The tribunal has been adjourned until Monday.
Cocoa research vital for PNG
By SENIORL ANZU in Canberra
More cocoa research is needed to improve the understanding of nutrition-related limitations to cocoa production in Papua New Guinea, according to a new technical report published by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Canberra.
This is one of the four main recommendations in the latest ACIAR publication on PNG cocoa Nutritional status of cocoa in Papua New Guinea.
The other recommendations were for the PNG cocoa industry to produce appropriate nutrient management practices for the different regions of the country; establish effective pathways to adoption; and engage in education and capacity building initiatives for continued improvements in nutrient management research and extension.
The documentation follows a study led by the PNG Cocoa Coconut Institute (CCI) with Australian partners in 63 locations covering nine provinces countrywide recently.
Supported by ACIAR, the study was aimed at determining the nutrient status of cocoa in PNG, and to recommend further steps to determine if there were nutrient-related constraints on productivity, and how they might be overcome.
Information was gathered through cocoa block holder surveys in the 63 locations and plant and soil sample analysis from these sites, stakeholder workshops and research trials at the Tavilo research centre, East New Britain.
The report indicated that there were no external market constraints to low productivity of PNG cocoa but common factors were lack of appropriate agronomic knowledge, land shortages, low level of block maintenance, labour shortages and theft.
The devastating cocoa pod borer pest had drastically reduced cocoa yields in the country with annual production in East New Britain alone, the most-important cocoa-producing region “fell by over 60% to approximately 8,000 t” in 2009.
“PNG cocoa is known for its good and consistent quality, with particular flavour, high fat content and large beans,” the report said.
Quality and demand for PNG cocoa were good, partly due to good germplasm and quality control but productivity was the main limitation to increased income from cocoa.
It said: “For the cocoa industry to recover and prosper, it is essential that management of smallholder cocoa blocks improves dramatically.”
This includes widespread replanting and demonstrations using the integrated pest and disease management package.
The plant tissue samples were analysed at Waite Analytical Services in Adelaide and soil sample analysis done in Townsville by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
The leaf sample analysis demonstrated widespread nutrient deficiency in nitrogen and iron – “with 95% of sampled blocks falling below the critical level for nitrogen and 89% for iron. Phosphorus deficiencies were encountered in about one-quarter of the blocks sampled”.
ACIAR has been involved in partnership with PNG research and development organisations in carrying out some of the necessary research in an array of agriculture, forestry and fisheries issues and this was one of them.
The report also noted the eminent need for capacity building within CCI and National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) in the areas of, among others, field trials, data processing, sampling, methods of analysis, training and exposure.
More cocoa research is needed to improve the understanding of nutrition-related limitations to cocoa production in Papua New Guinea, according to a new technical report published by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Canberra.
This is one of the four main recommendations in the latest ACIAR publication on PNG cocoa Nutritional status of cocoa in Papua New Guinea.
The other recommendations were for the PNG cocoa industry to produce appropriate nutrient management practices for the different regions of the country; establish effective pathways to adoption; and engage in education and capacity building initiatives for continued improvements in nutrient management research and extension.
The documentation follows a study led by the PNG Cocoa Coconut Institute (CCI) with Australian partners in 63 locations covering nine provinces countrywide recently.
Supported by ACIAR, the study was aimed at determining the nutrient status of cocoa in PNG, and to recommend further steps to determine if there were nutrient-related constraints on productivity, and how they might be overcome.
Information was gathered through cocoa block holder surveys in the 63 locations and plant and soil sample analysis from these sites, stakeholder workshops and research trials at the Tavilo research centre, East New Britain.
The report indicated that there were no external market constraints to low productivity of PNG cocoa but common factors were lack of appropriate agronomic knowledge, land shortages, low level of block maintenance, labour shortages and theft.
The devastating cocoa pod borer pest had drastically reduced cocoa yields in the country with annual production in East New Britain alone, the most-important cocoa-producing region “fell by over 60% to approximately 8,000 t” in 2009.
“PNG cocoa is known for its good and consistent quality, with particular flavour, high fat content and large beans,” the report said.
Quality and demand for PNG cocoa were good, partly due to good germplasm and quality control but productivity was the main limitation to increased income from cocoa.
It said: “For the cocoa industry to recover and prosper, it is essential that management of smallholder cocoa blocks improves dramatically.”
This includes widespread replanting and demonstrations using the integrated pest and disease management package.
The plant tissue samples were analysed at Waite Analytical Services in Adelaide and soil sample analysis done in Townsville by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
The leaf sample analysis demonstrated widespread nutrient deficiency in nitrogen and iron – “with 95% of sampled blocks falling below the critical level for nitrogen and 89% for iron. Phosphorus deficiencies were encountered in about one-quarter of the blocks sampled”.
ACIAR has been involved in partnership with PNG research and development organisations in carrying out some of the necessary research in an array of agriculture, forestry and fisheries issues and this was one of them.
The report also noted the eminent need for capacity building within CCI and National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) in the areas of, among others, field trials, data processing, sampling, methods of analysis, training and exposure.
Kaukau has big potential for PNG
By JOEL G WARAMBOI
Agriculture is the livelihood for more than 85% of the population in Papua New Guinea.
As our population continues to grow at 2.3% per annum, there will be demands for increasing food production to ensure food security.
The main staple foods and their annual production are sweet potato or kaukau (2.9 million) banana (700,000), yam (300,000), taro (350,000) and cassava (80,000) tonnes respectively.
Globally, more than 133 million tonnes of sweet potato is produced annually, and it is the seventh most-important crop after wheat, rice, maize, potato, barley and cassava.
In PNG, it is the most important crop both in terms of production as well consumption.
The top producing provinces are Southern Highlands (620,000), Eastern Highlands (470,000), Western Highlands (425,000), Enga (340,000) and Chimbu (294,000) tonnes respectively.
Smaller volumes are produced in Morobe (195,000), East Sepik, Bougainville and other places.
As a staple food, it provides about 64% of the energy needs for people.
At the current population of 6.5 million, per capita consumption is about 2.2 kg/person/year.
Its production is predominantly semi-subsistence.
Almost all of the sweetpotato is consumed at home as food, while a small amount is used for pig feed.
An increasing amount is being sold locally and or traded in distant markets of Lae, Port Moresby, Rabaul, and some mine sites.
Sweet potato has become a cash crop in PNG in recent years.
One major factor that has contributed to this trend is the rapid increase in urbanisation and population in major towns and cities.
Also, by value to weight, sweet potato is relatively cheaper and is affordable by low-income earners and families compared to imports like rice.
The farm-gate value of the sweetpotato industry in PNG is unknown.
By comparison, although Australia’s annual production is only 34,000 tonnes, their industry is worth A$40 million.
During transportation to markets, huge post-harvest losses occur because of improper handling, packaging, rotting and bruises.
The crop has high moisture, and is voluminous, and often fetches low market prices. Some studies have shown that, about 30% of the crop is already rotten on arrival in Port Moresby.
In monetary terms, this is K30 lost for every K100 that was supposed to be earned by the farmer.
There is no processing of the crop in PNG, unlike in China, where 10% of it is processed into foods like chips, crisps, snacks, bakes, breakfast food, candy and canned roots.
As livestock feed, it is fermented and reconstituted with either fish, copra or soybean meals for poultry and pigs.
Industrially, it is processed into starch, ethanol, bio-fuel, pigments, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastics and modified starches.
In the 1990s, the food processing and preservation unit at University of Technology in Lae did some product development work looking at flour, fries, chips, crisps, composite flour bread and other foods.
Most of this work was done on highlands varieties.
At around the same time, National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) scientists working on the Pacific regional agricultural programme in Keravat, East New Britain did similar work on lowland varieties.
Currently at the University of Queensland in Australia, a major research project is looking at the processing and utilisation options of PNG sweet potato.
Of the 25 varieties studied, the research has generated information on the flour-yielding ability, nutritional content (minerals, protein), starch pasting and gelatinisation properties, as well as determining starch granule morphology and particle sizes, all of which are very important traits required to optimise processing and utilisation options of the crop.
The study has also addressed the issue of identifying suitable varieties for end-use qualities by determining the starch, amylose and sugar contents.
This is critical to recommend suitable varieties for different products.
Food is the cause of many lifestyle diseases in the world like diabetes, obesity and hipolipdermia, and PNG is no exception.
This study using an in-vitro (test tube) technique has also found some beneficial starch fractions called resistant starches (RS) in the PNG sweet potato varieties.
The RS basically escapes digestion in the small intestine and is beneficial to human health because it do not increase the level of blood sugar leading to some of the diseases mentioned above.
The sweet potato varieties with very high RS fractions were L3 and L135, and these varieties are available in NARI.
Another exciting component of the research is on extrusion processing, using sweet potato flour to make snack foods from white and orange fleshed sweet potato varieties.
The results are promising and have the potential to be introduced in PNG, especially for small to medium scale cottage industries which may be interested to make snack foods from sweet potato.
The same technology can be used to process other foods like potato, taro, cassava, banana and sago.
A lot has been said about agriculture as being the backbone of PNG.
In 2005, the PNG Government put in place the green revolution and export-driven economic recovery strategy.
For the agriculture sector, this strategy was aimed at improving production and creating market demands for our crops to meet the growing domestic demands and also to seek export market opportunities.
However, to date, no substantial investments through possible avenues such as the public investment programme (PIP) or the national agriculture development plan (NADP) have been made to boost production, as well as to develop and upscale processing technologies to realise the full potential and contribution of the sector to PNG economy.
Downstream processing and value addition has the potential to benefit en masse, raise the economic value, and create market demand for local crops.
It will also improve food security and cash income levels, increase trade and replace/substitute imports, thereby contributing to broad-based economic growth and improvement in the living standards of the people.
• Joel G.Waramboi is a senior scientist with the National Agricultural Research Institute, and is currently doing his PhD at the University of Queensland, Australia. Copies of publications on this research are available and interested persons can contact him on j.waramboi@uq.edu.au
 |
| Kaukau variety Beerwah Gold |
As our population continues to grow at 2.3% per annum, there will be demands for increasing food production to ensure food security.
The main staple foods and their annual production are sweet potato or kaukau (2.9 million) banana (700,000), yam (300,000), taro (350,000) and cassava (80,000) tonnes respectively.
Globally, more than 133 million tonnes of sweet potato is produced annually, and it is the seventh most-important crop after wheat, rice, maize, potato, barley and cassava.
In PNG, it is the most important crop both in terms of production as well consumption.
The top producing provinces are Southern Highlands (620,000), Eastern Highlands (470,000), Western Highlands (425,000), Enga (340,000) and Chimbu (294,000) tonnes respectively.
Smaller volumes are produced in Morobe (195,000), East Sepik, Bougainville and other places.
As a staple food, it provides about 64% of the energy needs for people.
At the current population of 6.5 million, per capita consumption is about 2.2 kg/person/year.
Its production is predominantly semi-subsistence.
Almost all of the sweetpotato is consumed at home as food, while a small amount is used for pig feed.
An increasing amount is being sold locally and or traded in distant markets of Lae, Port Moresby, Rabaul, and some mine sites.
Sweet potato has become a cash crop in PNG in recent years.
One major factor that has contributed to this trend is the rapid increase in urbanisation and population in major towns and cities.
Also, by value to weight, sweet potato is relatively cheaper and is affordable by low-income earners and families compared to imports like rice.
The farm-gate value of the sweetpotato industry in PNG is unknown.
By comparison, although Australia’s annual production is only 34,000 tonnes, their industry is worth A$40 million.
During transportation to markets, huge post-harvest losses occur because of improper handling, packaging, rotting and bruises.
The crop has high moisture, and is voluminous, and often fetches low market prices. Some studies have shown that, about 30% of the crop is already rotten on arrival in Port Moresby.
In monetary terms, this is K30 lost for every K100 that was supposed to be earned by the farmer.
There is no processing of the crop in PNG, unlike in China, where 10% of it is processed into foods like chips, crisps, snacks, bakes, breakfast food, candy and canned roots.
As livestock feed, it is fermented and reconstituted with either fish, copra or soybean meals for poultry and pigs.
Industrially, it is processed into starch, ethanol, bio-fuel, pigments, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastics and modified starches.
In the 1990s, the food processing and preservation unit at University of Technology in Lae did some product development work looking at flour, fries, chips, crisps, composite flour bread and other foods.
 |
| Kaukau flour |
At around the same time, National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) scientists working on the Pacific regional agricultural programme in Keravat, East New Britain did similar work on lowland varieties.
Currently at the University of Queensland in Australia, a major research project is looking at the processing and utilisation options of PNG sweet potato.
Of the 25 varieties studied, the research has generated information on the flour-yielding ability, nutritional content (minerals, protein), starch pasting and gelatinisation properties, as well as determining starch granule morphology and particle sizes, all of which are very important traits required to optimise processing and utilisation options of the crop.
The study has also addressed the issue of identifying suitable varieties for end-use qualities by determining the starch, amylose and sugar contents.
This is critical to recommend suitable varieties for different products.
Food is the cause of many lifestyle diseases in the world like diabetes, obesity and hipolipdermia, and PNG is no exception.
This study using an in-vitro (test tube) technique has also found some beneficial starch fractions called resistant starches (RS) in the PNG sweet potato varieties.
The RS basically escapes digestion in the small intestine and is beneficial to human health because it do not increase the level of blood sugar leading to some of the diseases mentioned above.
The sweet potato varieties with very high RS fractions were L3 and L135, and these varieties are available in NARI.
Another exciting component of the research is on extrusion processing, using sweet potato flour to make snack foods from white and orange fleshed sweet potato varieties.
The results are promising and have the potential to be introduced in PNG, especially for small to medium scale cottage industries which may be interested to make snack foods from sweet potato.
The same technology can be used to process other foods like potato, taro, cassava, banana and sago.
A lot has been said about agriculture as being the backbone of PNG.
In 2005, the PNG Government put in place the green revolution and export-driven economic recovery strategy.
For the agriculture sector, this strategy was aimed at improving production and creating market demands for our crops to meet the growing domestic demands and also to seek export market opportunities.
However, to date, no substantial investments through possible avenues such as the public investment programme (PIP) or the national agriculture development plan (NADP) have been made to boost production, as well as to develop and upscale processing technologies to realise the full potential and contribution of the sector to PNG economy.
Downstream processing and value addition has the potential to benefit en masse, raise the economic value, and create market demand for local crops.
 |
| Scientist Joel Waramboi doing research into kaukau |
• Joel G.Waramboi is a senior scientist with the National Agricultural Research Institute, and is currently doing his PhD at the University of Queensland, Australia. Copies of publications on this research are available and interested persons can contact him on j.waramboi@uq.edu.au
Prime minister fails bid to stop tribunal
By JULIA DAIA BORE and JACOB POK
ATTEMPTS by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to stop the leadership tribunal from hearing charges of misconduct in office against him yesterday have been rejected, The National reports.
Responding to an application by the prime minister’s legal team to stay the hearing until a 2008 matter relating to the charges and the referral by the Ombudsman Commission are heard by the Supreme Court, tribunal chairman Roger Gyles said the tribunal “will proceed until such time when there is a National Court order” in place.
The denial of the request by the defence team, headed by Australian counsel Ian Molloy, came after the prime minister’s lawyers could not produce proof that there was written correspondence between Sir Michael and the ombudsman explaining the reasons over the leader’s failure in submitting his annual returns for the period specified in the charges.
Midway into the tribunal hearing yesterday morning, the defence team had requested for an adjournment to produce a letter from their office. However, upon reconvening after 30 minutes, Molloy informed the tribunal panel that they could not locate the letter.
“You mean to say there is no such letter?” tribunal co-judge Sir Robin Auld asked Molloy, who said that was what it seemed like.
Gyles then ruled that the stay application be shelved.
The tribunal also deferred its decision to have the prime minister suspended from office, according to section 142(6) of the constitution, to next Monday when both parties had presented their arguments.
Responding to an application by the public prosecution team, headed by Kaluwin Pondros, to effect the suspension, Molloy argued that such a move would not be in the best interest of Sir Michael in his current role as prime minister and that of the public.
Both parties were then directed to present their arguments next Monday before a ruling could be made on the application.
The tribunal reconvened at 1.30pm yesterday for Kaluwin to present all individual charges against the prime minister.
Hearing was suspended when Molloy asked for an adjournment to 1.30pm today to await the arrival of an accountant from Australia to be the prime minister’s witness. The accountant is expected in Port Moresby at 8.30am today.
In his submission to the tribunal yesterday, Kaluwin outlined 25 individual charges against the prime minister which were broken into three main categories. They were:
* Failing without reasonable excuse to give annual statements to the Ombudsman Commission – under which there were five separate instances;
*Failure to give annual statements, at least once in every period of 12 months – eight individual charges were cited; and
*Incomplete annual statements – 12 individual charges listed.
The tribunal continues today.
ATTEMPTS by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to stop the leadership tribunal from hearing charges of misconduct in office against him yesterday have been rejected, The National reports.
Responding to an application by the prime minister’s legal team to stay the hearing until a 2008 matter relating to the charges and the referral by the Ombudsman Commission are heard by the Supreme Court, tribunal chairman Roger Gyles said the tribunal “will proceed until such time when there is a National Court order” in place.
The denial of the request by the defence team, headed by Australian counsel Ian Molloy, came after the prime minister’s lawyers could not produce proof that there was written correspondence between Sir Michael and the ombudsman explaining the reasons over the leader’s failure in submitting his annual returns for the period specified in the charges.
Midway into the tribunal hearing yesterday morning, the defence team had requested for an adjournment to produce a letter from their office. However, upon reconvening after 30 minutes, Molloy informed the tribunal panel that they could not locate the letter.
“You mean to say there is no such letter?” tribunal co-judge Sir Robin Auld asked Molloy, who said that was what it seemed like.
Gyles then ruled that the stay application be shelved.
The tribunal also deferred its decision to have the prime minister suspended from office, according to section 142(6) of the constitution, to next Monday when both parties had presented their arguments.
Responding to an application by the public prosecution team, headed by Kaluwin Pondros, to effect the suspension, Molloy argued that such a move would not be in the best interest of Sir Michael in his current role as prime minister and that of the public.
Both parties were then directed to present their arguments next Monday before a ruling could be made on the application.
The tribunal reconvened at 1.30pm yesterday for Kaluwin to present all individual charges against the prime minister.
Hearing was suspended when Molloy asked for an adjournment to 1.30pm today to await the arrival of an accountant from Australia to be the prime minister’s witness. The accountant is expected in Port Moresby at 8.30am today.
 |
| Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare leaving the Waigani court premises yesterday, flanked by Petroleum Minister William Duma (right) and National Alliance party general secretary Stephen Pokawin. Following at the back (far left) is Deputy Prime Minister Sam Abal. – Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU |
* Failing without reasonable excuse to give annual statements to the Ombudsman Commission – under which there were five separate instances;
*Failure to give annual statements, at least once in every period of 12 months – eight individual charges were cited; and
*Incomplete annual statements – 12 individual charges listed.
The tribunal continues today.
Capital wakes up to a first for Papua New Guinea
By JULIA DAIA BORE
THERE was excitement in the air as early as 8am yesterday when the fenced-in car park at the Waigani and Supreme Court premises started filling up, The National reports.
It was the first day of a leadership tribunal hearing charges of misconduct in office against Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, scheduled for 9.30am.
The court’s security personnel were busy at work marking out the parking spaces with signposts and erecting bright orange traffic cones to indicate who should park where. Lines were clearly drawn to indicate where the prime minister and his entourage would park their cars, where the team from the office of the public prosecutor and the Ombudsman Commission was to be accommodated and what was reserved for the public.
Reporters from The National, who had arrived at the courthouse as early as 7.30am, were informed that only 10 seats were reserved for the media in courtroom one (an area which can seat up to 110 people).
Entry was closely monitored with specially designated areas and controlled seating.
Just before 9am, the prime minister arrived under the escort of a single 10-seater police van. Sir Michael walked into the court premises like any ordinary person going to court and entered courtroom one, accompanied by National Alliance general secretary Stephen Pokawin and other party executives.
Following them were Public Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare (prime minister’s son) and Betha Somare (who is the prime minister’s daughter and press secretary) in the company of other government ministers and MPs.
Almost two-thirds of the National Executive Council members were present for the opening day of the leadership tribunal yesterday.
At 9.28am, tribunal chairman Roger Gyles and co-judges Sir Bruce Robertson and Sir Robin Auld took up their seats inside the courtroom.
The tribunal was in session at 9.30am.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Court probe into PNG PM Michael Somare's alleged financial misconduct
AAP
THE fate of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare hangs in the balance, as a leadership tribunal considers 25 misconduct allegations dating back as far as 1992.
A three-member bench began hearing the allegations, which relate to missing or incomplete financial statements, in Port Moresby today.
Both the defence and prosecution spent the first day presenting evidence which entails mountains of paperwork connected to Sir Michael's financial records.
The highly-charged case, which is expected to take weeks, will probe Sir Michael's alleged failure to make financial statements or complete them on time.
It is also expected to decide whether Sir Michael must stand down as prime minister during the hearing.
Ian Molloy QC, acting for the prime minister, started today's proceedings with a push for an adjournment until a concurrent Supreme Court challenge is resolved.
Since 2008, Sir Michael has been fighting the tribunal on the grounds the original Ombudsman Commission probe into the prime minister was bias and procedurally flawed.
Mr Molloy also made an application for the charges of misconduct to be dismissed, saying they were "ambiguous and not an offence under the law".
But the three-man bench, chaired by former Australian Federal Court judge Roger Gyles, rejected these attempts to derail the tribunal.
The prosecution didn't get an easy ride either.
During the afternoon session, Judge Gyles questioned why it had taken so long for the allegations to be brought before the court.
"It is rather surprising that we are looking at dates like 1992 and 1993 in 2011," he told the prosecution team.
The courtroom was packed with the who's who of PNG's political elite, with the prime minster flanked by his cabinet and family members.
Near the courtroom, a small group of protesters gathered, demanding an end to what they said was systemic corruption stifling PNG's development.
Sir Michael, 74, has been PNG's prime minister four times in a political career spanning more than 40 years.
While the tribunal delves into Sir Michael's alleged neglect on administrative grounds, the process could expose some facts about the true wealth of the prime minister, including possible undisclosed earnings, assets and numerous properties world-wide.
The hearing will resume at 2.30pm (AEDT) tomorrow.
THE fate of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare hangs in the balance, as a leadership tribunal considers 25 misconduct allegations dating back as far as 1992.
A three-member bench began hearing the allegations, which relate to missing or incomplete financial statements, in Port Moresby today.
Both the defence and prosecution spent the first day presenting evidence which entails mountains of paperwork connected to Sir Michael's financial records.
The highly-charged case, which is expected to take weeks, will probe Sir Michael's alleged failure to make financial statements or complete them on time.
It is also expected to decide whether Sir Michael must stand down as prime minister during the hearing.
Ian Molloy QC, acting for the prime minister, started today's proceedings with a push for an adjournment until a concurrent Supreme Court challenge is resolved.
Since 2008, Sir Michael has been fighting the tribunal on the grounds the original Ombudsman Commission probe into the prime minister was bias and procedurally flawed.
Mr Molloy also made an application for the charges of misconduct to be dismissed, saying they were "ambiguous and not an offence under the law".
But the three-man bench, chaired by former Australian Federal Court judge Roger Gyles, rejected these attempts to derail the tribunal.
The prosecution didn't get an easy ride either.
During the afternoon session, Judge Gyles questioned why it had taken so long for the allegations to be brought before the court.
"It is rather surprising that we are looking at dates like 1992 and 1993 in 2011," he told the prosecution team.
The courtroom was packed with the who's who of PNG's political elite, with the prime minster flanked by his cabinet and family members.
Near the courtroom, a small group of protesters gathered, demanding an end to what they said was systemic corruption stifling PNG's development.
Sir Michael, 74, has been PNG's prime minister four times in a political career spanning more than 40 years.
While the tribunal delves into Sir Michael's alleged neglect on administrative grounds, the process could expose some facts about the true wealth of the prime minister, including possible undisclosed earnings, assets and numerous properties world-wide.
The hearing will resume at 2.30pm (AEDT) tomorrow.
Papua New Guinea prime minister fails to derail misconduct hearing
Ilya Gridneff, AAP Papua New Guinea Correspondent.
March 10, 2011 - 2:29PM
AAP
A leadership tribunal into alleged misconduct by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has started in the capital Port Moresby.
Sir Michael's legal team spent most of this morning trying to derail the hearing but their arguments were rejected by the three-member bench.
Ian Molloy QC tried for an adjournment citing Sir Michael's concurrent Supreme Court bid to shut down the tribunal on grounds of bias.
Mr Molloy also made an application for the charges of misconduct to be dismissed.
"The charges are ambiguous and not offensive under the law," he told the packed courtroom.
It was a who's who of PNG's political elite for the tribunal's first day of sitting, with the prime minster flanked by his cabinet and family members.
Sir Michael is facing numerous allegations that he failed to lodge financial statements as far back as 20 years ago.
Near the courtroom, a small group of protesters gathered, demanding an end to what they said was systemic corruption stifling PNG's development.
The court adjourned for lunch and was due to resume at 2.30pm AEDT.
© 2011 AAP
March 10, 2011 - 2:29PM
AAP
A leadership tribunal into alleged misconduct by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has started in the capital Port Moresby.
Sir Michael's legal team spent most of this morning trying to derail the hearing but their arguments were rejected by the three-member bench.
Ian Molloy QC tried for an adjournment citing Sir Michael's concurrent Supreme Court bid to shut down the tribunal on grounds of bias.
Mr Molloy also made an application for the charges of misconduct to be dismissed.
"The charges are ambiguous and not offensive under the law," he told the packed courtroom.
It was a who's who of PNG's political elite for the tribunal's first day of sitting, with the prime minster flanked by his cabinet and family members.
Sir Michael is facing numerous allegations that he failed to lodge financial statements as far back as 20 years ago.
Near the courtroom, a small group of protesters gathered, demanding an end to what they said was systemic corruption stifling PNG's development.
The court adjourned for lunch and was due to resume at 2.30pm AEDT.
© 2011 AAP
Legal eagles have landed
THE three ex-judges appointed to the leadership tribunal panel looking into charges of misconduct against Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare slipped into the country yesterday, The National reports.
Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia was at the airport to welcome chairman Roger Gyles, a former judge of the federal court of Australia, Sir Bruce Robertson of the court of appeal and high court of New Zealand and Sir Arnold Auld, a former lord justice of the court of appeal of England and Wales.
Sir Salamo announced their appointments early last month to hear charges of misconduct in office against Sir Michael.
The National, in an attempt to get pictures at the Jackson International Airport VIP lounge, was removed by the airport security who said that “permission must be given by the chief justice” for the media to gain access.
The three tribunal members arrived on an Air Niugini flight from Brisbane at 2pm and were sworn in at Government House by Governor-General Michael Ogio.
The tribunal will convene this morning at courtroom one at the Waigani National and Supreme Court premises.
The tribunal is expected to have a fiery start with both the prosecution and the defence pulling out all stops.
An application has been lodged by the prime minister’s legal team seeking to stop the tribunal from convening but, as the tribunal has not met, the application remained undecided.
Lawyers for the prime minister were attempting to stop the proceedings pending Sir Michael’s Supreme Court matter challenging the validity of his referral to a leadership tribunal.
The prosecuting team from the public prosecutor’s office will be the first to be called up before the tribunal to present a statement of reasons for the referral.
It is expected that immediately after the reading of the charges, the prosecuting team will move for the tribunal to order the prime minister to step aside from office.
Acting Public Prosecutor Jim Wala Tamate said yesterday that such a move would be in line with the chief justice’s ruling when he announced the tribunal.
Sir Salamo had stated last month that the question of the suspension of the prime minister would be determined by the tribunal.
Sir Michael was expected to attend the tribunal’s opening session at 9am today.
After prosecuting lawyer Kaluwin Pondros had presented the charges, it was expected that an application would be made to have Sir Michael step aside from office as the prime minister.
 |
| Legal eagles have landed ...The three overseas judges, chairman Roger Gyles (front), Sir Bruce Robertson and Sir Robin Auld, appointed to sit in the tribunal, arrived yesterday from Australia and were sworn in by the governor-general at the Government House witnessed by Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and judges from the country’s National and Supreme Court. – Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU |
Sir Salamo announced their appointments early last month to hear charges of misconduct in office against Sir Michael.
The National, in an attempt to get pictures at the Jackson International Airport VIP lounge, was removed by the airport security who said that “permission must be given by the chief justice” for the media to gain access.
The three tribunal members arrived on an Air Niugini flight from Brisbane at 2pm and were sworn in at Government House by Governor-General Michael Ogio.
The tribunal will convene this morning at courtroom one at the Waigani National and Supreme Court premises.
The tribunal is expected to have a fiery start with both the prosecution and the defence pulling out all stops.
An application has been lodged by the prime minister’s legal team seeking to stop the tribunal from convening but, as the tribunal has not met, the application remained undecided.
Lawyers for the prime minister were attempting to stop the proceedings pending Sir Michael’s Supreme Court matter challenging the validity of his referral to a leadership tribunal.
The prosecuting team from the public prosecutor’s office will be the first to be called up before the tribunal to present a statement of reasons for the referral.
It is expected that immediately after the reading of the charges, the prosecuting team will move for the tribunal to order the prime minister to step aside from office.
Acting Public Prosecutor Jim Wala Tamate said yesterday that such a move would be in line with the chief justice’s ruling when he announced the tribunal.
Sir Salamo had stated last month that the question of the suspension of the prime minister would be determined by the tribunal.
Sir Michael was expected to attend the tribunal’s opening session at 9am today.
After prosecuting lawyer Kaluwin Pondros had presented the charges, it was expected that an application would be made to have Sir Michael step aside from office as the prime minister.
Prime minister all set for battle
Day one: Charges against Sir Michael to be presented
PRIME Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare will appear before a leadership tribunal today, charged with misconduct in office, The National reports.
The three overseas judges, appointed to sit in the tribunal, arrived yesterday from
A master tactician and survivor of PNG's rough and tumble political field for 43 years, Sir Michael has decided not to go down without a fight.
His lawyers filed an urgent application on Tuesday to stop the tribunal from convening until the Supreme Court had decided on a matter before it which challenges the validity of his (PM's) referral for prosecution before a leadership tribunal.
All eyes will be focused on a small band of lawyers from the office of the public prosecutor who will set the ball rolling today, unless the tribunal decided otherwise, by reading the charges for which Sir Michael has been referred.
It is expected that immediately after the statement of reasons are given, the prosecuting team will move for the tribunal to suspend the prime minister from office.
As the prime minister prepares to face the tribunal, PNG grew eerily quiet yesterday.
His ruling National Alliance party met for a full week to discuss, among other things, candidates who were to succeed him as parliamentary leader and a cabinet line-up after him to lead government into next year's elections.
When the party machinery met with stony silence from the prime minister, it stopped meeting and it, too, fell silent.
Coalition partners and ministers, likewise, fell silent, stricken by the gravity of what is to transpire today.
Even the opposition, which has pushed for Sir Michael to resign all along, seemed stumped by the occasion. No vitriolic statement came.
It seemed as if the nation is holding its breath.
Sir Michael, 75, is the first prime minister to face a leadership tribunal out of five former colleagues.
The prime minister has been charged with failing to file his annual returns to the Ombudsman Commission between 1994 and 1997.
A court official said entry to the tribunal room (courtroom one) would be strictly controlled and unauthorised persons would not be allowed to enter.
The partitioned courtroom can sit only 150 or so people.
Prime minister all set for battle
Day one:Charges against Sir Michael to be presented
PRIME Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare will appear before a leadership tribunal today, charged with misconduct in office, The National reports.
The three overseas judges, appointed to sit in the tribunal, arrived yesterday from Australia and were sworn in by the Governor-General, Michael Ogio.
A master tactician and survivor of PNG’s rough and tumble political field for 43 years, Sir Michael has decided not to go down without a fight.
His lawyers filed an urgent application on Tuesday to stop the tribunal from convening until the Supreme Court had decided on a matter before it which challenges the validity of his (PM’s) referral for prosecution before a leadership tribunal.
All eyes will be focused on a small band of lawyers from the office of the public prosecutor who will set the ball rolling today, unless the tribunal decided otherwise, by reading the charges for which Sir Michael has been referred.
It is expected that immediately after the statement of reasons are given, the prosecuting team will move for the tribunal to suspend the prime minister from office.
As the prime minister prepares to face the tribunal, PNG grew eerily quiet yesterday.
His ruling National Alliance party met for a full week to discuss, among other things, candidates who were to succeed him as parliamentary leader and a cabinet line-up after him to lead government into next year’s elections.
When the party machinery met with stony silence from the prime minister, it stopped meeting and it, too, fell silent.
Coalition partners and ministers, likewise, fell silent, stricken by the gravity of what is to transpire today.
Even the opposition, which has pushed for Sir Michael to resign all along, seemed stumped by the occasion. No vitriolic statement came.
It seemed as if the nation is holding its breath.
Sir Michael, 75, is the first prime minister to face a leadership tribunal out of five former colleagues.
The prime minister has been charged with failing to file his annual returns to the Ombudsman Commission between 1994 and 1997.
A court official said entry to the tribunal room (courtroom one) would be strictly controlled and unauthorised persons would not be allowed to enter.
The partitioned courtroom can sit only 150 or so people.
PRIME Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare will appear before a leadership tribunal today, charged with misconduct in office, The National reports.
The three overseas judges, appointed to sit in the tribunal, arrived yesterday from Australia and were sworn in by the Governor-General, Michael Ogio.
A master tactician and survivor of PNG’s rough and tumble political field for 43 years, Sir Michael has decided not to go down without a fight.
His lawyers filed an urgent application on Tuesday to stop the tribunal from convening until the Supreme Court had decided on a matter before it which challenges the validity of his (PM’s) referral for prosecution before a leadership tribunal.
All eyes will be focused on a small band of lawyers from the office of the public prosecutor who will set the ball rolling today, unless the tribunal decided otherwise, by reading the charges for which Sir Michael has been referred.
It is expected that immediately after the statement of reasons are given, the prosecuting team will move for the tribunal to suspend the prime minister from office.
As the prime minister prepares to face the tribunal, PNG grew eerily quiet yesterday.
His ruling National Alliance party met for a full week to discuss, among other things, candidates who were to succeed him as parliamentary leader and a cabinet line-up after him to lead government into next year’s elections.
When the party machinery met with stony silence from the prime minister, it stopped meeting and it, too, fell silent.
Coalition partners and ministers, likewise, fell silent, stricken by the gravity of what is to transpire today.
Even the opposition, which has pushed for Sir Michael to resign all along, seemed stumped by the occasion. No vitriolic statement came.
It seemed as if the nation is holding its breath.
Sir Michael, 75, is the first prime minister to face a leadership tribunal out of five former colleagues.
The prime minister has been charged with failing to file his annual returns to the Ombudsman Commission between 1994 and 1997.
A court official said entry to the tribunal room (courtroom one) would be strictly controlled and unauthorised persons would not be allowed to enter.
The partitioned courtroom can sit only 150 or so people.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Aini blasts absentees
PUBLIC Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Martin Aini expressed frustration over Finance and Treasury’s Gabriel Yer and Simon Tosali’s unavailability at an inquiry yesterday, The National reports.
Aini also raised dissatisfaction over the non-attendance National Housing Corporation (NHC) acting managing director Tarcissius Muganaua.
“If he does not appear during the inquiry tomorrow (today), the PAC will issue a warrant of arrest on him,” Aini said of Muganaua.
It was revealed that the PAC wrote to Muganaua last Oct 20 seeking information on the transfer of section 41 lot 57 in Boroko.
This was one of dozens of complaints received by the PAC from frustrated buyers who had paid for their homes years ago but had not received the titles.
“We chose this case at random but were surprised to find that even though the house had been paid in full, the NHC advertised the property for sale and the owners were threatened by supposed buyers and accompanying police with eviction notices.
“We sought information from you but you have ignored the letters. Why? We now serve you with a notice to produce the information.
“We want a full explanation in seven days and a firm timetable for transfer of the property, which should have been done years ago,” the chairman said.
Aini urged Yer and Tosali to be present during today’s session to respond to issues relating to their department.
This year’s PAC held its first sitting yesterday at parliament, holding an inquiry into the funding of health and hospital services in PNG.
The inquiry was also attended by other PAC members including Wewak MP Dr Moses Manwau (deputy chairman), Bulolo MP Sam Basil, Gazelle MP Malakai Tabar, Markham MP Koni Iguan and deputy speaker Francis Marus.
The main areas inquired into included health management in the
The inquiry ended last Dec 15 and started yesterday.
The PAC intends to resume the inquiry in late March to take evidence from Nonga and Angau hospitals, as well as the Morobe health office and
The PAC intends to conduct an inquiry into the Enga children’s trust fund, as well as into four provincial governments in Northern, West New Britain, East Sepik and
“The secretariat will issue and serve the necessary paperwork and prepare the inquiry for next month,” the PAC stated.
The PAC adjourned to 10am today, in which it is expected to bring before its presence the worst performing government institutions that have been identified to explain to the committee why they are unable to improve their performance.
Tamate to prosecute until next Thursday
By JULIA DAIA BORE
ACTING Public Prosecutor Jim Wala Tamate will officially vacate his acting position of two years next Thursday, The National reports.
He will be replaced on the same day by his successor, Camillus Sambua, a senior lawyer who had worked with the public prosecutor’s office for a number of years.
The official gazettal notice of the appointment of Sambua as acting public prosecutor and revocation of Tamate appeared in last Thursday’s gazettal No. G58, dated March 3.
This meant that Tamate would act in the position until next Thursday.
He is also expected to attend the start of the leadership tribunal tomorrow when the prosecution lawyer will deliver the charges of misconduct in office against Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.
The prime minister has been charged with failing to file his annual returns to the Ombudsman Commission between 1994 and 1997.
All three members of the tribunal, ex-judges of the common law jurisdiction from abroad, are expected in the country today.
They will be sworn into office by the governor-general to take up their posts as members of the leadership tribunal.
Tamate told The National yesterday that due to the controversy over his revocation as chief public prosecutor, it was agreed that another senior prosecutor within the office would take the leading role at the tribunal.
He said that agreement would also affect Sambua.
Long-serving senior public prosecutor Kaluwin Pondros has been tasked the job as leading prosecutor at the tribunal.
Prime minister attempts to stop tribunal
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare yesterday filed an urgent application to stop the leadership tribunal from convening tomorrow to hear allegations of misconduct in office against him, The National reports.
The application was filed yesterday by the prime minister’s legal team, headed by overseas counsel Ian Molloy.
Documents relating to the application were then immediately served on the Ombudsman Commission and the public prosecutor’s office yesterday afternoon.
Acting Public Prosecutor Jim Wala Tamate had confirmed receiving the documents.
Although removed as the public prosecutor, he would remain in office until March 17 and may have a last say in appointing the leading prosecuting lawyer for the case.
Tamate said the office would support the ombudsman and fight the application when the tribunal starts its session tomorrow.
Tamate said a team of public prosecutors, headed by senior prosecutor Kaluwin Pondros, was ready to present to the tribunal its case relating to the allegations that Sir Michael had failed to report on his annual returns for a specified period.
Yesterday’s application was to stop the tribunal from proceeding until a Supreme Court application (of the originating summons) filed last Saturday, questioning the constitutionality of the Ombudsman Commission’s referral of Sir Michael to the public prosecutor, was heard and ruled upon.
The matter came before Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia on Monday and was adjourned to next Monday.
In his original originating summons of October 2008, the prime minister had alleged that former chief ombudsman Ila Geno had made certain important decisions concerning him and his referral without involving a properly constituted quorum (meeting) of the commissioners as required by the Organic Law.
Meanwhile, all three members of the tribunal are expected to fly into
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