K50 million claim By Opposition Leader - Chief Ombudsman not interested in investigating

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill   has raised concerns that the Ombudsman Commission will not investigate claims made by Opposition Leader Belden Namah that he spent K50 million on Members of Parliament in the 2012 election.
’Neill said Mr Namah himself had made the multimillion kina claim and it raises serious concerns that should be properly scrutinised. 

However, the Ombudsman Commission has responded by suggesting the matter should be considered by the Registrar of Political Parties and Candidates Commission.
In his correspondence with the Chief Ombudsman, the Prime Minister stated that the failure of the Ombudsman Commission to inquire into this claim “casts light on the fundamental question of fairness and impartiality on the part of the Commission.”
“This matter is the subject of great public interest, which warrants Ombudsman Commission investigation under the Leadership Code.
“The Ombudsman Commission should not simply ignore the public complaint, which has been lodged and refer it to another Authority for investigation.
Speaking after more recent correspondence from the Chief Ombudsman, the Prime Minister said he remains concerned at the lack of interest on the part of the Ombudsman Commission.
“The people of Papua New Guinea have legitimate questions that they would like answered,” PM O’Neill said.
“Where did Mr Namah get this K50 million?  He was not a successful businessman before he went into politics.
“Has he declared this K50 million and paid tax on it?
“Adherence to transparency is a responsibility of all holders of public office and this admission of questionable activity by the Leader of the Opposition needs to be fully investigated without fear or favour.”

Improving policing services for people of Manus

 Australian High Commission

 

New infrastructure for improving policing services for Manus is a step closer with a contract awarded for the designing a new Lorengau Police Station.

Papua New Guinean firm Alexander & Lloyd Pacific Ltd was selected through an international open tender to formulate a design for the Police Station, as part of a K5 million rebuilding project that will be funded by Australia.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Ms Deborah Stokes, said: “This new police station will boost the capacity of the local police to protect the people of Manus. It will demonstrate respect for the important work of the police and the commitment expected of the police in serving their community. It will also be easier for community members to approach police for information and assistance.”

 The design will include private interview rooms for people making complaints and safe facilities for people reporting family and sexual violence.

 After the design is completed, a further tender for construction to rebuild the Lorengau police station is expected to be issued in early 2015, with construction expected to commence mid-2015.

 The rebuilding of the police station will complement the PNG Government’s Police Modernisation Program, including the PNG Government’s investment in additional housing for police. This program seeks to build the professionalism and the enabling environment for PNG’s police personnel.

 The police station will be on top of the additional Australian support package to Manus valued at K65 million, which includes Lorengau Hospital, education infrastructure, Lorengau Market upgrade, community grants and private sector support.

Launch of the National TB Awareness Campaign

Prime Minister O'Neill will launch a National Awareness Campaign tomorrow as part of the ongoing fight against tuberculosis. 

The campaign targets specific locations around the nation including National Capital District, Gulf and Western provinces.

“The awareness campaign will run alongside current activities to confront TB,” a spokesman for O’Neill said today.

“ This will remind people of essential information relating to TB that is often overlooked and can lead to critical situations for those who contract the disease, as well as expand potential for further transmission.  

“The key messages are that people need to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical help, that there is a cure and it is free, and that people who contract TB must complete their treatment.

“Posters are being placed around the nation, there will be newspaper, leaflet, and SMS information, and we have already released some early television and radio commercials to enhance awareness sooner rather than later.”

Young Papua New Guineans urged to apply for Queen's Young Leaders Awards

Young Papua New Guinean leaders are being encouraged to nominate or apply for the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards.

The Awards recognise young (18-29 years) leaders from Commonwealth nations who are overcoming adversity and contributing to their communities.

This unique, life-changing Award provides winners with a tailored package of training and mentoring and a one-week residential programme in the UK, during which they will receive their Award from Her Majesty The Queen.

With this support, Award winners will be expected to continue and develop the work they are already doing in their communities.

Each application/nomination for the award must meet the following criteria:

1.      Applicants/nominees need to have proven experience of working to improve their communities locally, regionally or at a national level and be able to show evidence of their achievements.

2.      Applicants/nominees must be aged between 18 and 28 before December 16,  2014. This ensures that all Award winners will be under the age of 30 by the time they finish the one-year programme.

3.      Applicants/nominees must be citizens of a Commonwealth country or citizens of an Overseas Territory (of a Commonwealth Member).

4.      Applicants/nominees need to demonstrate evidence of their leadership qualities.

5.      All applicants/nominees need to be supported by a suitable referee.

6.      Priority will be given to individuals who have overcome challenges to achieve their goals

Applications close on  October 10.

Applications and nominations must be lodged online atwww.queensyoungleaders.com

Sport: PNG cricketers snap losing streak

Radio New Zealand

It's taken four games but the Papua New Guinea cricketers finally secured their first victory in the South Australian Premier League, beating the Southern Force by three wickets in Darwin on Sunday.
A day after losing to the Northern Mavericks, the Barramundi's restricted the Force to just 211 for 9 from their 50 overs, with Assad Vala snaring 3 for 37 off six overs.
In reply, Tony Ura anchored the PNG innings with 76 from 72 balls while Mahura Dai added 66 as the visitors reached their target with 12 overs and three wickets to spare.
The team now heads to Adelaide to begin their T20 campaign against the Outbacks on Saturday.

Human resistance to malaria varies depending on location, study finds

By David Mark

ABC

Humans have evolved different defences against malaria depending on where they live, scientists have found.

Photo: The study found resistance to malaria, transmitted through infected mosquitoes, varies depending on location. (AAP: University of Queensland, file photo)

About half the world's population is exposed to the disease, which kills more than 500,000 people each year.
A study, conducted over 10 years across 11 countries, looked for specific mutations known as markers in genes that result in resistance against malaria in almost 12,000 people.
Laboratory head at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, Dr Ivo Mueller, said the study found there is a close evolutionary interplay between malaria and human populations.
"It is a complex interaction between the parasite and the human genome," he said.
"Part of this study was done in Papua New Guinea, but most of these mutations that we found are actually not found in Papua New Guinea because people there never acquired these mutations.
"On the other hand we have a whole set of other mutations that protects people from malaria in Papua New Guinea that we do not find in African populations."
Dr Muller said that the increasing ability to look at genome interactions between parasites and hosts at a detailed level will hopefully result in a greater understanding of the disease.
"That will eventually allow us hopefully to develop new medicines and new vaccines and target these key interactions between the human host and the malaria parasite," he said.

AFL Commission head recalls PNG's IC victory

World Footy News

Saturday, September 27 2014

Contributed by: Brett Northey

AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick was an onlooker at the 2014 International Cup (pictured here at the Women's Grand Final with fellow commissioners Linda Dessau and Sam Mostyn) and it's pleasing he took the time to mention it during his AFL Grand Final pre-match address.

 

The full speech can be read here, and although it was only one sentence, it was good that the IC got a mention, as it shows he's not ashamed to spruik the international development of the game.
"The International Cup won by Papua New Guinea was again a great success, and goes from strength to strength. Our game really has no boundaries."
Fans of growing the women's side of the sport, as we all should be, would also be pleased to read Fitzpatrick say (speaking about women's football although no doubt primarily within Australia):
"Women’s football is on the march, and the AFL is going to support it."