The  PNGAus Partnership has been contributing to the expansion of Family and Sexual Violence Units (FSVUs) since 2009, helping to establish 27 of the current 47 FSVUs around the country. Recently, more than 60 frontline police officers from PNG’s FSVUs and Criminal Investigation Division (CID) gathered in Port Moresby for a week-long workshop to learn from each other’s experiences and discuss recent amendments to the Family Protection Act (FPA). Tougher penalties for offenders were a key change to the FPA. Those found guilty of aggravated domestic violence will face up to 5 years prison and up to 2 years for breaches of family protection orders. Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary National FSVU Directorate Coordinator, Chief Inspector Delilah Sandeka said the workshop and similar training supported by the Australian Government was a “lifeline” for FSVU officers in keeping them abreast of changes in the law. Australian High Commission representative, Casey Senome praised the attendees, “You are critical, you are on the frontline of PNG’s response to FSV. Your work can literally save lives. That is why Australia is committed to supporting your efforts, because what you do matters.”

NCDC has been applauded and recognized for its contributions to the development of sporting talents and sports in general. Its recent support of the participation of Team PNG at this year’s Mini Pacific Games in Saipan, Northern Marianas, was acknowledged by the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee with an Appreciation Plaque in recognition of its tremendous support. The plaque was delivered to City Hall by top PNG Sprinter Leeroy Kamau who was part of the Team PNG contingent at the Saipan Mini Games. The plaque was handed over to City Manager Mr. Ravu Frank by Community & Social Services Manager Mr. Kila Dick. NCDC supported PNG’s participation at the Mini Games with K30,000.00 and in-kind K20,000.00 through the purchase of Fun Run T-Shirts, the major fundraising event for Team PNG. “We are honored with this recognition by the PNG Olympic Committee.” “Thank you for valuing the commitment of NCDC to the development of sporting talents and sports in general through this gesture of appreciation,” Mr. Frank said. The City Manager said NCDC’s support for sports is for the value it places on the contributions to the development of the city including human development. Sports is an integral part of development in society and the aspects of discipline for good health and well-being are major considerations for NCDC when it comes to supporting sports. “We will continue to support and fund sports programs in the city for the value we place on sports and integral development,” Mr. Frank said. Sports is emphasized as among the development priorities of the Commission in line with its goals for a healthy, clean, safe, and planned city. “This emphasis on sports is from the Board all the way to the management and strongly advocated by the NCD Governor, Hon. Powes Parkop for the good health and wellbeing of city residents,” the City Manager added. Community and Social Services Manager, Mr. Dick who was the Chef De Mission for Team PNG to the Saipan Mini Games was grateful for the NCDC support which contributed in a big way to the success of Team PNG’s participation at the Games. PNG topped the medal tally at the Saipan Mini Games with a total of 80 medals which included 33 gold, 28 silver, and 19 bronze.

Guardians of the Galaxy director and DC Studios’ new co-chairman, James Gunn, is writing a Superman movie that won’t involve the actor Henry Cavill, who said it was “not the easiest news” after he only recently announced that he would be returning to the role. The new Superman film penned by Gunn will take the character in a different direction and focus on the superhero’s younger years. The announcement comes amid momentous change at DC Studios and parent company Warner Brothers, which has been slashing scores of projects to cut costs after merging with Discovery, Inc. Cavill has played Superman since the 2013 film Man of Steel and last appeared in the role in a cameo in Black Adam earlier this year. In October, after resigning from the lead role in Netflix show The Witcher, he announced he would be returning to play Superman again. On Wednesday, Cavill wrote on Instagram that Gunn and his co-chair, Peter Safran, had met with him to deliver the news. “I will, after all, not be returning as Superman,” Cavill wrote. “After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life. The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes." "My turn to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will. It’s been a fun ride with you all, onwards and upwards.” Gunn’s film will reportedly focus on the younger years of the hero, during his years posing as Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent, with insiders telling the Hollywood Reporter that Gunn could potentially direct the film as well as writing it. “Peter & I have a DC slate ready to go, which we couldn’t be more over-the-moon about; we’ll be able to share some exciting information about our first projects at the beginning of the new year,” Gunn wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. “Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill. But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future.” Cavill’s announcement that he would return as Superman was reportedly signed off by Warner Bros, before Gunn and Safran assumed their roles at DC Studios on 1 November. Just six days before that, Cavill had said in an interview that he was looking forward to playing an “enormously joyful” Superman and that he was “very excited” about Gunn being hired. On Tuesday it was revealed that DC Studios’ Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins would no longer be working on a third film in the franchise. In response to reports, she denied quitting, writing in a lengthy open letter: “I never walked away. I was open to considering anything asked of me. It was my understanding there was nothing I could do to move anything forward at this time.” The Hollywood Reporter claims that Gunn and Safran have also met with Batman actor Ben Affleck to float the idea of him directing for them in the future. A Black Superman film written by author Ta-Nehisi Coates and produced by JJ Abrams is reportedly still going ahead, and will not be impacted by Gunn’s film. Gunn has long been in the running to make a Superman film: in 2018, when Gunn left Marvel Studios for DC when he was temporarily fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, then-Warners boss Toby Emmerich pushed for Gunn to take on Superman. Gunn wrote and directed The Suicide Squad instead. … we have a small favour to ask. Millions are turning to the Guardian for open, independent, quality news every day, and readers in 180 countries around the world now support us financially. We believe everyone deserves access to information that’s grounded in science and truth, and analysis rooted in authority and integrity. That’s why we made a different choice: to keep our reporting open for all readers, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. This means more people can be better informed, united, and inspired to take meaningful action. In these perilous times, a truth-seeking global news organisation like the Guardian is essential. We have no shareholders or billionaire owner, meaning our journalism is free from commercial and political influence – this makes us different. When it’s never been more important, our independence allows us to fearlessly investigate, challenge and expose those in power

Kangaroos second-rower Angus Crichton is free to play for Sydney Roosters in the opening round against the Dolphins after being permitted to serve his World Cup suspension in the pre-season. Crichton received a two-match ban for striking Toa Samoa hooker Chanel Harris-Tavita with his elbow in the World Cup final at Old Trafford but the suspension was halved on appeal. He will avoid missing a premiership match by serving the one match ban in the opening round of the NRL Pre-season Challenge against the Storm in Geelong on February 12. The 26-year-old could play the following weekend at Gosford against Manly and will be available for the historic NRL debut of the Dolphins, who are set to become the Telstra Premiership's 17th team next year. Players suspended in the NRL are required to serve their bans in premiership fixtures, with Ryan Matterson (Eels), Francis Molo (Dragons), Mat Croker (Knights), Taane Milne (Rabbitohs) and Brian Kelly (Titans) set to miss the start of the season. However, Crichton's ban falls under the jurisdiction of the International Rugby League, which permits pre-season matches to be included. A clause in the NRL judiciary code allows for the disciplinary policy of the body which handed down the suspension to be applied and Crichton has been cleared to serve his ban during the new pre-season competition. Crichton was sinbinned for striking Harris-Tevita with a raised forearm, and Samoa coach Matt Parish later said referee Ashley Klein should have sent the Australian forward off. However, Crichton insisted he did not mean to strike Harris-Tevita and asked to front the media immediately after Australia's 30-10 win to publicly apologise to the Samoa utility and explain his actions. “I want to talk to you guys because I want to get this message across, and I want to let his family know that I am genuinely sorry. I want to let the Samoa community know that I had no malice at all,” Crichton said. “It was just me bracing for a tackle- and it was a freak tackle. As soon as it happened, I spoke to Chanel, and it was honestly just a reaction. I didn’t know that he was coming in and I had not malice at all." Crichton and Harris-Tavita spent time travelling together in Europe after the World Cup, along with injured Samoa utility Tyrone May, Kangaroos halfback Nathan Cleary and forward Pat Carrigan. "Whenever I play football, I never try to injure or hurt anyone. I know that I am a good person and I play the game the way it is meant to be played. “I never wish anyone to be injured on the football field like that, especially knockouts. A few of my great mates in Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner had their careers ruined so I never want to injure anyone on the field. “That was not my intention at all so anyone I have upset or anyone in his family or anyone in the Samoa community I am genuinely sorry.” Meanwhile, Matterson and Kelly will miss the opening three rounds of the Telstra Premiership, while Milne, Molo and Croker each have two matches to serve at the start of the 2023 competition and Milne has one. Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (New Zealand) and Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo (Tonga) served their end-of-season suspensions during the World Cup. Milne did not play at the World Cup because of the suspension but Fiji’s warm-up match against England, three pool game and quarter-final loss to the Kiwis were included as he was considered a certain selection for the Bati.   Source: NRL.com

The National Government has donated K200, 000 to the Cheshire Homes at Hohola in Port Moresby to run programs for persons with special needs. Secretary to the Department of Prime Minister& National Executive Council (PMNEC) Ivan Pomaleu presented the cheque to the Board of Cheshire Homes on Thursday this week (15/12/22). Secretary Pomaleu said the Lord above has created persons with special needs who are equal as other abled bodied persons. He said it takes people with an understanding and caring heart to care for persons with special needs. The Secretary said it is an area that need more attention in our society today as he also has personal experiences. ‘’I am a father to a special needs boy and I have empathy for the things you do for our people with special needs here at the Hohola Cheshire Homes. “There would be other families with a child or a person with special needs too in their homes and may not have the ability to care for their needs. “That is the reason why we value the work Cheshire Homes do. “Admittedly our society has not had the required adjustment to build facilities to cater for their needs, have policies and services that is inclusive, that includes those who need special care and attention,’’ said Secretary Pomaleu. He said that such care and attention would come, but it will take time. “As and when society matures and able to understand that everyone who lives in society are equal members of the society, we begin to have those adjustments like in other countries of the world have. “There are certain things like access to walkways, driveways, car parks and curbs at shops and main buildings, are not necessarily designed for those people with special needs in our society at the moment. “That is something that I personally recognize and hopefully within the course of my time as Secretary will ensure some changes are made. “I want to say that there is a special attention to the residents, people with special needs here today at Hohola that they are equal members with equal and special needs of our society. “In all aspects of work, our existence, in all aspects of our conversation, we are dealing with equal members of our society who are just different. “The good Lord made them different to all of us and on that basis we want to give the assurance that we will continue to help wherever we are able to and can,’’ said Secretary Pomaleu. He said that ‘there are some of us who understand, there are some of us who are very clear of what the challenges are’. Secretary Pomaleu said he was happy to present the K200, 000 on behalf of the Prime Minister James Marape who had prior commitments. “The cheque that I am going to hand over is the Government contribution from the community and social services fund managed and controlled by the National Gaming and Control Board. Prime Minister Marape was the Minister responsible for the National Gaming Control Board when the commitment was made but took a while to process as the Gaming Board has it processes. “I am pleased to come and present it on behalf of the Prime Minister and Government. I am sure it will be put to very good use,’’ said Secretary Pomaleu. Meanwhile, Kevin Buckby a board member of Cheshire Homes thanked the government for the support. He said the Cheshire Homes relies on continued donations and the Government support through the National Gaming Control Board is a relief. “We only survive through the generosity of the Government and business houses. “This is a huge relief for us because it means that we have the ability to keep going and supporting our programs into next year 2023 and continue the work we do. “On behalf of the Cheshire Homes Board of Directors, management and staff say thank you so much for the support. “These donation means the world to them, our people with special needs here at Hohola,’’ he said. Cheshire Homes and Disability Services PNG is an NGO and charitable organization that offers wide range of services to persons with special needs and relies on donations and generosity from businesses and society.

The People’s Alliance is leading the official 2022 general elections results tally with 17,737 votes after the completion of the count at 491 of the 2071 polling stations. This is 49.78 percent of the votes counted. The FijiFirst Party is in second place with 9,310 votes which is 26.13 percent of the votes. SODELPA is in third place with 2,947 votes which is 8.27 percent of the votes counted. NFP has 2,022 votes which is 5.67 percent of the votes counted. Unity Fiji has 1,332 votes, We Unite Fiji has 909 votes, Fiji Labour Party has 701 votes, All People’s Party 522 votes and New Generation Party has 130 votes. Independent candidates Rajendra Sharma and Ravinesh Reddy have 18 and 5 votes respectively. Under section 89 of the Electoral Act, immediately upon closing of the polls, the counting of ballot papers is to be undertaken and completed in the respective polling station by the presiding officer and such election officials designated by him or her. The figures in the protocol of results must be entered by the presiding officer at each step of the counting process. The presiding officer must proceed continuously with the counting of the votes until the count is complete. The Act says the Supervisor may conduct a recount of any ballot box. Section 97 states that following completion of the protocol of results, the presiding officer must sign it and immediately notify the Supervisor by the most expeditious method, including by telephone or any electronic means, of the results or the total number of votes cast for each candidate, as contained in the final protocol of results. A copy of the final protocol of results must be immediately posted by the presiding officer in a publicly accessible place at the polling station, such as a notice board, another copy kept inside the ballot box and a copy sent to the Supervisor by the most expeditious method. Section 103 of the Electoral Act states that after the original of the final protocol of results are received from all the polling stations and after all the votes received by each candidate at each polling station is recorded on the National Results Tally, the Supervisor shall prepare the Final National Results Tally, which must contain the total number of votes received by each candidate and the total number of votes received by each political party. Source: FijiVillage

Kompiam District Hospital was a typical rural health facility in this country with numerous challenges not many aspiring doctors had wanted to be committed to it . But not anymore, thanks to the work done by an Australian doctor Dr David Mills who has over the past 23 years set the course of this hospital for bigger things, including changing the medical culture in this country: one that was focused on urban large hospitals to those that served the majority of the country's population who are living in the rural areas such as aid posts, health centres and district hospitals. Dr Mills and his family came to Kompiam in March 2000. At the time, it was a two-small building hospital of 25-beds. It had no x-ray, no laboratory and a basic theatre. People were using kerosene lamp, its generator had not worked for three months and there was only one staff house. “At the beginning it was very difficult because we needed more people especially in admin, but had nowhere to stay. The road was only passable to 4WD so building anything new was very difficult. So it was a very, very frustrating few years,’’ he says. [caption id="attachment_32526" align="alignnone" width="960"] Screen shot of Kompiam District Hospital[/caption] The biggest improvements in the first 10 years were in the administration: It helped greatly when the traditional CEO structure was changed to a management team, taking away pressure on one person as in a village scenario. It paid dividends, although it took awhile to settle as the staff had to get used to it. He says Enga is an extremely unstable environment due to tribal fights, so gaining community confidence and a sense of neutrality takes a very long time. Despite its huge challenges, Dr Mills and his wife and four children made their home in Kompiam, on the deep north of Enga and saw the hospital develop to its current status, a modern 55-bed hospital, and soon to increase to 88 when the ward under construction is complete. It is equipped with two operating theatres, an excellent lab and digital Xray. It also has good speed satellite internet connecting all departments and it is just about to launch its electronic medical record system using fingerprint ID of all patients. The staff houses have increased from one to 44 and the hospital is entirely solar powered 24 hours and the residences all have solar power 240V for nine hours a day. Funding is being sought to double the size of the solar system from 100kW to 200kW. The hospital has recently been upgraded to Level 4 so the staff numbers have increased from 47 ceiling to 202 for the entire health service. Funding is being sought for extra housing as well. [caption id="attachment_32527" align="alignnone" width="906"] Dr David Mills teaching anaesthetics to the MMED (Rural) candidates[/caption] The hospital is also in discussion with the Enga Provincial Government to possibly take over responsibility for some of the more remote aid posts in the region to reduce confusion between the Government and mission arms of the health sector in the area. Training has long been part of the work at Kompiam District Hospital, but it has not been as more obvious as during Dr Mill’s tenure. Apart from taking the medical students on practical at the hospital, Dr Mills has gone beyond this by helping start the MMED (Rural) program at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences UPNG. This was in 2008. He says this program was about changing an entire medical culture. “One that is currently focused on urban large hospitals rather than rural facilities such as aidposts, health centres and district hospitals. “That culture affects NDOH, PHAs and medical training as well. So changing that culture was never going to occur overnight. It will take lifetimes of sustained work.’’ However, he is optimistic that good progress has been made. “When we started MMED (Rural) training in 2008, no-one was talking about rural medicine as a career. No one was talking about district hospital. Now, there are Rural SMO’s enshrined in the National Health Plan, PHAs are talking about getting their district hospitals up and going, and they are asking about MMED (Rural) candidates, and most importantly of all, medical students and RMOs are talking about rural medicine. The number of students applying for Rural training is increasing and need the support of the government and NDOH. The PHAs are also behind this.’’ The partnership with SMHS UPNG will be enhanced next year when the hospital opens a Rural Clinical School in July which will see fifth year medical students based at Kompiam for six months and then 12 months for the entire year from 2024. Having students on training at the hospital ensures a constant stream of doctors at Kompiam Hospital which has health patrols to villages and communities. [caption id="attachment_32528" align="alignnone" width="480"] Dr David Mills and his wife Karina and children pose for a picture with friends.[/caption] The patrols cover part of East Sepk Province as well and used to be done mostly through walking but they now have a weekly flying patrols with the help of MAF. The patrols give the medical students a good feel for rural PNG and the issues involved in delivering health care in remote areas. Dr Mills did his training at Flinders University and as part of his training he did come to Kompiam Hospital for a short time. So what had motivated him to return? He says, it was not a motivation but a call and it would have been disobedient for him not to go. The suffering he’d seen was also enormous. “The suffering is enormous – actually it’s really unimaginable to most people. Can you imagine someone with their leg torn off, or in obstructed labour, in screaming agony, and that person has no prospect for being evacuated, of receiving pain relief or medical help of any kind. “They will just stay where they are and suffer like that until the inevitable transpires. That is not a fiction, but a daily reality in rural PNG. When you come face to face with it, it’s hard not to feel very strongly about the need to change the status quo.’’ The Mills are relocating to Australia to care for Dr Mill’s aging parents, but he will be travelling back and forth to teach his students at SMHS UPNG. “While my family are relocating to Australia I will be continuing to work for UPNG, especially on the rural training program, both remotely from Australia and in a FIFO role (month on and month off) for the Uni so I can visit my students,’’ he says. Dr Mills is happy that the hospital is in good hands Papua New Guinean Dr Rebecca Williams is now the Medical Superintendent of Kompiam Hospital. “The hospital is in good hands with Dr Williams at the helm and helped by an Australian and another UK doctor, as well as a steady stream of RMO’s and students,’’ said Dr Mills. Dr Mills is from Adelaide, Australia. Source: Papua New Guinea National Department of Health

Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) has partnered with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) this year, to roll out NSL’s free Financial Literacy Training (FLT) to the over 6,000 officers and staff of the RPNGC across the Country. The FLT program is delivered by fully certified NSL officers and covers five modules that cover the following topics:  Module 1 – Taking Charge of Personal Finances  Module 2 – NSL Superannuation Products and Services  Module 3 – Planning for Retirement  Module 4 – Buying Your Own Home  Module 5 – Financial Literacy Skills for MSMEs This year, NSL has trained 218 RPNGC officers and staff from Port Moresby and Buka. The participants completed modules 1 to 3 of the FLT where they learned to develop valuable skills needed to improve their financial well-being. NSL Chief Executive Officer, Mr Paul Sayer commended the RPNGC for prioritising the wellbeing of their workforce by partnering with NSL to deliver this valuable training. “We are pleased that the RPNGC has taken the initiative to empower their staff with this training, allowing them to develop useful financial management skills that they can utilise in their daily lives to build a better future for themselves and their families”, Mr Sayer said. “The over 6,000 RPNGC employees perform an important role in ensuring that all Papua New Guineans can feel safe in their communities and live productive peaceful lives. As such, we aim to continue building on this partnership to ensure we are doing our part to support our hardworking Police officers and staff.” “The RPNGC employees join more than 3,700 Nambawan Super Members, from both the Private and Public Sectors, trained by NSL in 2022. All our Members have access to and are welcome to attend this fully certified FLT course”, Mr Sayer added. RPNGC Acting Assistant Commissioner, Human Resources Division, Mr Samson Siguyaru welcomed the roll-out of the program and remarked that this was the first time an organization has partnered with the Constabulary to deliver a comprehensive FLT for all RPNGC employees. “Firstly, I would like to thank NSL for the great opportunity given through this training for its Members, especially with Police from all ranks and files given access to the FLT”, Mr Siguyaru stated. “Secondly, the RPNGC is serious about developing its members at all levels, including those that will be exiting the organization through retirement.” “On behalf of Police Management, HR Division under my command, we will continue to roll out programs that give purpose to our officers, to serve our people, our visitors, and the Country with full capacity and commitment”, Mr Siguyaru added.

From the 10th – 11th of December, our UPNG CleanGen Leaders carried out a two-day DREAM Program on the Motupore Island Research Centre. This was their first project under the Clean Generation Innovation Grants Program (CGIG) funded by The Voice Inc (TVI). A total of 39 young people participated in the DREAM and were taken through sessions on being Driven by Purpose, Experiences, Attitude and Mission Statements. Additional sessions were conducted on the CPC Report and the National Dream of PNG to instill a sense of patriotism and help participants reflect on how best they can be nation-builders. It has been a few years since the DREAM program was facilitated in person and on Motupore Island thus we congratulate our UPNG CleanGen Leaders for their successful project and hope that they will continue to work closely with their program participants! Should you wish to learn more about the Clean Generation Innovation Grants Programs join the CleanGen Academy at www.cleangen.org . You can also do the DREAM program online under the Learn section of CleanGen Academy. Source: Clean Generation Campaign

The National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has come onboard to support the St John Ambulance in purchasing a fully kitted ambulance worth more than three hundred and ninety thousand kina (K390, 000.00) that will increase optimal healthcare and ambulance services in the country. The donation is in line with NGCB’s Agreement to purchase three ambulance vehicles per year starting this year to 2024 in the effort to maximize essential medical and ambulance services to the people of PNG through NGCB’s ‘Give Back Program’. NGCB Director for Community Benefit Fund Naomi Eringe speaking on behalf of NGCB CEO Imelda Agon, said the Board is pleased to partner with St John Ambulance and committed to purchase a total of nine (9) ambulance vehicles for St John Ambulance within a span of three (3) years “For NGCB, we are owned by the 8 million plus people of this great country hence we are fully committed to our social corporate obligation to support community-impact projects and programs that will directly impact the lives of people through our ‘Give Back Program’. “Health is one of our priority sectors we support and the purchase of this fully kitted ambulance is part of the three vehicles earmarked for this year to St John Ambulance. “The NGCB is committed in supporting the government’s vision to improve health services and our partnership with St John Ambulance is a step forward in achieving tangible outcomes in the health sector”, Ms. Eringe said. Eringe said the donation will boost and strengthen ambulance service in the country and ensure ‘help is just one call away’. Receiving the cheque for St John, Chief of Ambulance Service, Rigona Rita said, “the demand for St John has increased greatly. St John plays a crucial role in providing emergency medical service to our people and we’re responding to an average of 60 incidents each day.” “Such services can only be maintained with the support from organizations such as the National Gaming Control Board and others alike. The purchase of ambulances from this cheque presentation will see to it going directly to support our expansion to enhance our operations in the Southern and Highland regions. Getting additional ambulances on road means we can get immediate care to the patient within minutes after a medical emergency occurs.” “We are grateful for this contribution and we will continue to deliver to the communities in their greatest time of need and that this support will have a much more positive impact to the lives that will be saved when someone dials 111 for help.” Said Chief Rita.

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring all infrastructure investments across Papua New Guinea serve people of all backgrounds and abilities, ensuring communities everywhere benefit from secure, reliable and sustainable infrastructure. Infrastructure – that reflects and responds to people’s diverse needs – plays a pivotal role in empowering communities, especially women, girls and marginalized people. At its best, infrastructure can change the behavior and habits of the people it serves, driving a wide social impact. It can reduce inequality, widen access to jobs and education, make communities more resilient to climate change and promote public health and wellbeing. Australia’s Economic and Social Infrastructure Program (ESIP) works to ensure all Australian-funded infrastructure is designed and built using an inclusive approach. This means engaging communities – the people who will use the infrastructure – as well as local construction companies, and government agencies throughout each part of the construction process. ESIP is engaged in several major infrastructure redevelopments across PNG, from the new Kimbe Town Market in West New Britain Province to the Daru General Hospital in Western Province, the Metoreia Health Centre in Port Moresby and the Lae City Market in Morobe Province. Each of these developments has the power to transform people’s livelihoods in PNG, especially women, girls and people with disabilities. Designing infrastructure that considers the people’s different needs means everyone can experience the benefits of a new hospital, market, school, or other facility. ESIP’s Director of Social Infrastructure (Markets and Education), Taiko Lalo, emphasised how inclusive infrastructure accounts for the needs of everyone by ensuring equal access and benefit for all (regardless of gender, race, class, sexuality and disability and especially for the vulnerable and marginalised). “When designing markets, you must ensure everyone accessing the market is safe and secure, the space is functional, and it meets the needs of the majority women vendors and patrons accessing the infrastructure,” Ms Taiko added. The Australian Government, through its infrastructure investments, values the needs of women and girls, vulnerable groups including people with disabilities and ensures their voices are included in the design process of construction projects.

Thirty-eight (38) participants comprising of BSP SME customers and BSP staff recently completed a two week training on understanding the different aspects of businesses and how to grow them. BSP Financial Group Limited’s SME Retail in partnership with Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) facilitated the two-week pilot training for “Your Enterprise Scheme” through its network of Skilled Business Professionals. The training comprised of three (3) working models designed for the PNG SME market covering 17 different topics, primarily fundamental building blocks for SMEs in any market segment. These areas included business structure, compliance and the importance of keeping SME receipts records and growth by way of increasing revenue and profitability through simple fundamental approaches. BSP Head of SME, Samuel Mulina said this Financial literacy training is part of BSP’s continued focus on supporting the SME Sector and is designed to augment the considerable success BSP has had in rolling out the Governments Credit Enhancement Scheme program (CESL). In 2022, BSP assisted 1,105 SMEs by lending K177m under the Scheme. Since the program’s inception, BSP has funded 1,484 SME loans to a total of K266m.   “Apart from the government funded Credit Enhancement Loan Scheme, BSP has been offering its own SME Lending Products since 2013. More than 151 businesses have been assisted with over K14m from BSP’s Smart Business Loan while 64 customers have been assisted with a total funding over K657,000 through BSP’s Micro Business Loan Products,” the Head of BSP SME said. Mulina said the training also covered areas of Business Models, Cost structure, Profit & Loss, how to explore potential business options and how small business can develop road maps among others. “We are not only looking at giving out loans but one of our obligation as the leading financial institution is to provide financial literacy trainings in our chosen markets and the SME segment is no exception. We had 32 BSP SME customers attend our coaching sessions with 6 BSP Lending officer and support staff in the segment. Training commenced on November 22nd that saw one on one coaching sessions covering 17 business related topics on how SMEs can grow their businesses. The trainings were free of charge to our customers and we are looking forward to extend similar programs to SMEs from other parts of PNG,” Mr Mulina added. Certificates of Completion were presented to each SME and BSP staff who attended the Training on Tuesday 6th December 2022