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Aseneth WAIDE

Aseneth WAIDE

DCE'S CAPTAIN'S KNOCK DCE'S CAPTAIN'S KNOCK
The Sea Eagles have produced a razzle dazzle first half showing, piling on four tries and having two disallowed as they take a 22-6 lead over the Broncos. Captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has had a hand in each try as he attempts to convince Maroons coach Billy Slater to stick by him for Origin II in Perth. Lehi Hopoate was electric at fullback, while rookie winger Clayton Faulalo was having the game of his short NRL career, scoring two tries and bombing a third after losing the ball over the line. Manly have won four games in which they led at halftime and lost six in which they trailed so far this season. Daly Cherry-Evans made a compelling case to retain his Maroons No.7 jersey after leading the Sea Eagles to an emphatic 28-6 defeat of the Broncos at 4 Pines Park. Manly were without Tom and Jake Trbojevic, and coming off a disappointing loss to the Eels, but dominated the game from the outset to blow the Broncos off the field. Just three days after becoming the oldest player in State of Origin history, Cherry-Evans backed up to produce a captain's knock as the Sea Eagles inflicted Brisbane's sixth loss in their last seven outings. Source: NRL.com
Published on June 1, 2025
DCE’S EX-TEAMMATE CLAIMS ROOSTERS DEAL ‘DONE’ AS SHOCK CONTENDERS EMERGE — WHISPERS DCE’S EX-TEAMMATE CLAIMS ROOSTERS DEAL ‘DONE’ AS SHOCK CONTENDERS EMERGE — WHISPERS
The Dolphins or Roosters ... or will it be the Cowboys, or even French club Catalans in the Super League? Daly Cherry-Evans has officially closed the door on re-signing with the Sea Eagles, meaning he’ll either retire at season’s end or play on with another club in 2026. The Roosters and Dolphins are the two NRL clubs that are most likely to pursue DCE, but CODE Sports is reporting that the star half is open to a move to France to play for Super League team Catalans; while a former Maroons teammate reckons he’s a done deal at the Roosters, and his current Queensland coach is touting the Cowboys. Catalans have several former NRL stars on contract this year, including Luke Keary, Elliott Whitehead and Tevita Pangai Junior. According to CODE Sports, Cherry-Evans’ wife Vessa is close to Keary’s wife Amy. Despite the Catalans link, former NRL star Corey Parker believes Cherry-Evans will be playing for the Roosters next year. “If you look at the links, Daly’s manager also manages James Tedesco. “I’m extremely surprised he is leaving Manly but you don’t make that call if you haven’t got something else lined up.” Queensland coach Billy Slater says the Cowboys make sense, given their struggles to find an elite halves partner for Tom Dearden and DCE’s background as a Mackay Brothers junior. “To be honest, I don’t think we know all the details so it’s really hard to give you an opinion on what’s happening without knowing and understanding everything, but yeah it is sad because you know he’s spent 15 years of his life and his whole football career at Manly,” Slater told 104.5 Triple M Breakfast in Brisbane. “He’s a premiership player there and he’s playing extremely well so it does seem a little bit strange that he’s not going to be there next year. “You know, the Cowboys is another option. He spent a lot of his growing up in Mackay, which is Cowboys country, they’re there in the market, I would say, for a halfback.” Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have officially pulled out of the race to sign Cherry-Evans with Phil Gould denying the club will make a play for his services. Danny Weidler tweeted Gould’s emphatic stance on Cherry-Evans on X formerly Twitter. “I really admire DCE as a person,” Gould said. “He’s an ornament to the game. Obviously I’ve been a fan of his football his whole career. But Daly Cherry-Evans will not be coming to the Bulldogs.” Manly have a hit list to replace halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, with Broncos No.7 Adam Reynolds one of a number of key targets. The Daily Telegraph reported Reynolds and Titans veteran Kieran Foran are in Manly’s sights after Cherry-Evans rejected the club’s last ditch two year $1.5 million extension offer. Reynolds’ name has reportedly been discussed along with Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty as Manly shift their attention to potential replacements with the money they had earmarked for Cherry-Evans. Foran is another name, with the former Sea Eagles premiership winner off-contract with the Titans at the end of the 2025 season and he could potentially have returned for his third stint with the club — though on Thursday night he ruled out returning to Manly. Manly have high hopes for young halves Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large who they have on long-term deals. But the two young gun playmakers may be at least 12 months away from being ready to become permanent NRL players. Foran spent seven years at Manly, winning a premiership in 2011 before moving to Parramatta at the end of the 2015 season on a big-money deal. He eventually returned to Manly for the 2021 and 2022 seasons before finding a home at the Gold Coast Titans, where he is off contract at the end of the year but also nearing the end of his career, having endured a torrid time with injuries. Reynolds is off-contract at the end of the season and the Broncos face an uphill battle to retain a large chunk of their squad including Kotoni Staggs, Selwyn Cobbo and Payne Haas in the next couple of seasons. Fogarty is off-contract with the Raiders, who are believe Ethan Strange and Ethan Sanders as their long-term halves. Fogarty’s management requested permission from the Raiders to open negotiations with rival clubs during the off-season, however, Canberra officials rejected the approach. Complicating matters is a clause in Fogarty’s Raiders contract, whereby the club has until round six to take up a $650,000 deal for next year. If the Raiders don’t take up the club option, Fogarty will become a free agent in just over two weeks. He also has a player option in his contract, which means he can take up by round 20 to stay at the Raiders in 2026. Stuart and the Raiders are refusing to deal with Fogarty’s agent, Tas Bartlett, and will instead meet with Chris Orr from the same management company. Source: www.foxsports.com.au
Published on May 31, 2025
COCA-COLA LAUNCHES SHARE-A-COKE CAMPAIGN COCA-COLA LAUNCHES SHARE-A-COKE CAMPAIGN
Coca-Cola is once more bringing its Share a Coke campaign giving individuals a chance to create a personalized can apart from the popular names that are already available such as ‘Michael’, ‘Grace, ‘Susan’, ‘Nigel’, ‘Serah' and ‘Jack’, to group nicknames like ‘Wantok’ ‘Bestie’, ‘Susa’ and ‘Olgeta’. Coca-Cola will be hosting over 50 personalization pop-up stations across PNG from 21st June where consumers can make their very own personalized can. Rachel Miryam Nainggolan, Senior Brand Manager, Frontline Marketing - Coca-Cola Papua New Guinea, expressed enthusiasm about the Share A Coke Campaign, saying that it was more than just acquiring a personalized can of coke. “Share a Coke is not just about finding your name on a bottle or can; it's about creating moments of joy and connection, giving everyone a chance to share special moments with their friends and family. “It's all about celebrating the people who make our lives magical." Sales and Commercial Director, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Tim Solly, added that the campaign fosters togetherness. “Share a Coke is all about bringing people together and we can’t wait to bring the Share a Coke experience on the road.” “This is about those Coca-Cola moments, where we make the magic happen, connect, energize and make people feel special when consuming our product.” “We'll be visiting universities, shopping centers, and cultural shows/events across the country so we connect with as many people as possible to Share a Coke with!” This was officially launched during a private screening of Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning at Paradise Cinema, Vision City on May 29th, 2025. To find out more about the Share a Coke and for details on the personalization pop ups stations, please head to https://www.coca-cola.com/pg/en/offerings/share-a-coke Follow Coca-Cola on Facebook “Coca-Cola PNG” and Instagram @cocacola_png to stay updated. Share your moments using the hashtag #ShareACoke #CocaColaPNG #RealMagic
Published on May 30, 2025
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE- THE FINAL RECKONING: A MOVIE REVIEW BY PNGHAUSBUNG MISSION IMPOSSIBLE- THE FINAL RECKONING: A MOVIE REVIEW BY PNGHAUSBUNG
Title: Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (2025) Director: Christopher McQuarrie Genre(s): Action, Thriller Rating: MA Run Time: 2hrs 50mins Star(s): Tom Cruise • Hayley Atwell Grace • Esai Morales • Pom Klementiaff When the consequences of his actions from the past catch up to him, IMF Agent, Ethan Matthew Hunt and his team are now on a race against time to stop a rouge artificial intelligence known as the ‘Entity’, plotting to destroy humanity. Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning serves as the final installment of the almost 30-year-old franchise. It seems Tom Cruise has once again proved that age is just a number. The 61-year-old was once again performing death defying stunts that could only make other stunt performers’ jaws drop. Other than that, the inclusion of artificial intelligence in the film, makes it relatable to most audiences given the amount of art AI being used in this technological age. One of my biggest gripes about the film is that it was too long. Its run time is approximately 3 hours. Nothing kills a vibe faster than watching a movie drag on even after the climax. The scene in which Ethan Hunt retrieves the hardware needed to kill the Entity whilst underwater was a great climactic part of the movie, which left audiences on the edge of their seat. However, afterwards the hype fell completely because the movie continued. A fight scene in the air was another great climatic part, but it fell short due to the movie’s run time. The Final Reckoning would’ve worked better if it was split into two separate movies instead of just throwing everything into one huge film. As for the completely unnecessary romance with his onscreen team member, as I said; it was ‘completely unnecessary’. Some action movies just work better without a love interest and Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning was one of those. For someone who is not acquainted with the Mission Impossible series, I would suggest watching every movie in the franchise to familiarize yourself with the movies’ tone, themes and general atmosphere, as well as understand what the director is trying to communicate via the films. Overall, Mission Impossible finished quite strong with this last installment.
Published on May 30, 2025
PROTECTING PNG’S TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE & CULTURES PROTECTING PNG’S TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE & CULTURES
Experts and cultural leaders are raising alarm over the growing misuse and exploitation of Papua New Guinea’s traditional knowledge both locally and internationally. This was a major concern addressed during a national workshop held this week by the National Cultural Commission (NCC), where the draft Pasin Ples Policy 2025 was reviewed and validated. The policy aims to provide legal protections for cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge systems which have often been commercialized without appropriate consent or benefit to local communities. NCC Board’s Chairman, Leo Marai stated that the Pasin Ples Policy is an active step taken to safeguard PNG’s traditional culture from exploitation. “The National Protection of Pasin Ples Standard and Implementation Plan 2025–2035 has been created to oversee all intellectual property rights and conflicts concerning the illegal use of Papua New Guinea’s traditional knowledge and cultural expressions.” “It establishes a vital framework for effective governance through administrative leadership and offers a route for sustainable partnerships, guaranteeing that all declared policy results contribute positively to everyone.” Dr. Eric Kwa Secretary of the Department of Justice emphasized that the country’s cultural identity is in danger and unless necessary steps are taken, the younger generations may lose connection to their heritage. “We must protect, promote, and preserve our Pasin Ples. Our Constitution and National Pledge define who we are.” “Other forces are eroding our identity because we have not given enough prominence to our culture.” Meanwhile Dr. Faiki Simeth, Dance Director at the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies under NCC, noted that the 2000 Copyright Act offered some protection, however, it did not fully cover folklore and traditional knowledge, a gap which the new policy is building on, providing stronger protections for knowledge holders in rural communities.
Published on May 30, 2025
ARTS & CULTURE SUMMIT HELPS PROMOTE PNG'S CULTURE ARTS & CULTURE SUMMIT HELPS PROMOTE PNG'S CULTURE
The 10th World Summit on Arts and Culture is currently taking place in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from May 27 to 30, 2025, providing Papua New Guinea (PNG) with a significant opportunity to showcase its rich and diverse cultural traditions. This event allows PNG to learn from the experiences of other countries, foster enduring international relationships, and discover how arts and culture can aid in national development—both socially and economically. The insights gained from this summit are anticipated to be instrumental in shaping and guiding the development and execution of cultural policies in the country. The summit aims to create new ways to advance arts and culture, highlighting the sector's role in the global sustainable development agenda and in building stronger local communities. It seeks to inspire participants through real-life examples, best practices, and a variety of perspectives from around the world. Representing PNG at the Summit was Executive Director of the PNG National Cultural Commission, Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda. The summit is expected to gather approximately 400 delegates from 85 different countries. These delegates include key leaders and decision-makers from various areas within the arts and cultural ecosystem, along with professionals from other sectors. Delegates are discussing and learning from each other about how different knowledge systems, technology, innovation, and digitalization are affecting the arts and cultural sectors. These talks aim to support transformation, empowerment, decolonization, and sustainability in communities worldwide. PNG's participation in this global event shows its commitment to recognizing and promoting its arts and cultural heritage internationally. The World Summit on Arts and Culture is organized by International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) with the Arts Council Korea as a co-host. The event encourages open exchanges among representatives from governments, the cultural sector, civil society, and others, welcoming both IFACCA members and the global community.
Published on May 29, 2025
MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS INCLUDED IN GST ZERO- RATING MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS INCLUDED IN GST ZERO- RATING
WaterAid, together with Queen Pads, CPL foundation Inc and the UN Population Foundation (UNFPA), hosted their annual Menstrual Hygiene Networking event yesterday to provide opportunities and solutions for issues women and girls in PNG face in relation to menstrual health, hygiene, and sanitation. Carolyn Uberawa, a tax advisor with the Internal Revenue Commission, briefly spoke on the recent policy, Goods and Services Tax (GST) Zero-Rating of Essential Goods – a policy which does not charge GST on selected items, menstrual products included. She stated that it is a massive tax relief for PNG Citizens, and for women and girls, the price of sanitary pads will not include the 10% GST. “Sanitary pads will be more accessible and at a less price.” “This policy allows women and girls greater access to improve menstrual hygiene, all of which leads to better health, education and empowerment outcomes.” “For girls, it provides a safety net knowing that they can afford sanitary products at affordable prices and do not affect daily activities.” She said that this policy decision taken up by the government, was a collaboration between stakeholders, IRC, ICCC and PNG Customs with IRC being at the forefront to be administrators of the policy. Additionally, implementing the Zero-Rating Policy comes with responsibilities, hence she urged all parties involved to work diligently to ensure compliance. “As we implement this Zero-Rating policy, it is essential for stakeholders, retailers, importers and suppliers to ensure that full compliance is with the policy.” “To include correct application of the GST Zero-Rating at point of sales, transparency in pricing and support for ongoing public awareness.” “This is also going to be a joint compliance with ICCC, IRC and PNG Customs in making sure that this policy is delivered.” Finally, she explained to buyers how to identify Zero rated goods. “In shops, look for the Zero-Rated labels of products and also after purchase, check your receipts." "Make sure that all these products, that are listed, including sanitary pads and tampons are Zero-Rated.”
Published on May 29, 2025
MEDIA’S IMPORTANT ROLE IN MENSTRUAL HEALTH AWARENESS MEDIA’S IMPORTANT ROLE IN MENSTRUAL HEALTH AWARENESS
WaterAid, together with Queen Pads, CPL foundation Inc and the UN Population Foundation (UNFPA), organized their yearly Menstrual Hygiene Networking event today to provide opportunities and solutions for issues women and girls in PNG face in relation to menstruation, health, and sanitation. Speaking at the event on Menstrual Health Media Advocacy, Elizabeth Oswyn from Oky Toky Radio, emphasized the impact media can have in promoting menstrual health and hygiene awareness. “Using media platforms to advocate for better menstrual health can significantly amplify our messages and reach a broader audience as we see a lot of girls here in PNG lack information on menstrual hygiene and sexual reproductive health.” “Media plays an important role to advocate for better menstrual health.” “Platforms such as social media, radio, television provide a powerful tool to educate, raise awareness, and break the stigma surrounding menstruation.” “By leveraging these platforms, we share valuable information, promote healthy practices, and encourage open conversations around menstrual health.” An illustration of media's influence was provided through the example of Oky Toky. “Through engaging and informative episodes, Oky Toky Radio has successfully reached over 40,000 adolescent girls.” “The aim of Oky Toky Radio was to ensure maximum reach targeting adolescent girls in rural areas where access to menstrual health information is limited.” “Girls want reliable information.” She added that collaborators can contribute to fostering a supportive and informed community that prioritizes menstrual health and hygiene for a period-friendly world.
Published on May 28, 2025
RIBAT RECALLS EXPERIENCE DURING CONCLAVE RIBAT RECALLS EXPERIENCE DURING CONCLAVE
Cardinal Sir John Ribat had the honor of representing Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Oceania during the recent conclave and the funeral of the late Pope Francis in the Vatican City. Cardinal Ribat recounted that during the funeral of Pope Francis, more than 100 leaders from around the globe gathered to pay their respects. “This assembly included not only heads of state but also representatives from various faiths, such as Muslims and Baha'is.” “All attendees took part in this significant event. Pope Francis was a widely acknowledged and respected leader, embodying that role throughout the ceremony.” “His importance was also recognized by the United Nations, as everyone in attendance came to honor his legacy.” He further spoke about the inauguration of Pope Leo. The inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo marked the start of his ministry as the Pope for the entire church worldwide. “During this event, we all came together on the 18th of May. The cardinals, bishops, priests, and the congregation were present. The ceremony took place outside in St. Peter's Square, while we rested inside the Basilica.” “After we had rested, we were guided from the sacristy to the front where Mass is usually held, which is above Peter's tomb.” “We were all taken there and asked to wait. As we stood there, looking forward in anticipation, it was really the Pope along with those responsible for the event who arrived. They processed him in.” “For many of us, including myself, it was our first time witnessing this, and it was significant for him to assume his role as the patron of the ministry of St. Peter, who was indeed the leader of the entire church.” “We were all eagerly waiting for him, and he eventually arrived. They descended, to visit St Peter's tomb. He paused there to pray for a moment and then returned. After that, we were given the signal to begin the procession.” “The cardinals started to move to St. Peter's Square for the Mass inside the sacristy.” "I was approached by those who were organizing and preparing the liturgy. So, this person came to see me and said that I had been selected. I was to be one of those who would go and show my respect and vow of obedience to the Holy Father, as this was his first time receiving the pallium.” “He had already received the pallium for his previous work, but this one was specifically for the archbishop and as the leader of the entire church.” “Five representatives from five continents were selected to represent everyone. I represented the entire Oceania region.” In regard to the conclave, Cardinal Ribat stated that it lasted for a short time. “If you count the days, it was only two days. However, if you count the hours, it was actually just one day when everything took place.” "We began voting on Wednesday afternoon while we were there to get ready. We were asked if we wanted to vote at that moment since it was the end of the day. Everyone agreed, noting that we had many votes to carry out, so we should proceed with this one." “After that, we had two more votes to finish the process. The first vote included all nations.” “Importantly, no candidate was ever elevated to the position of Pope.” “Furthermore, when we were seated to vote, we had to take an oath, which was truly between the Lord Jesus, and me.” He stated that Pope Leo was speechless at the cardinal’s choice of him being the new pope. “After his election, he had to place his trust in God's plan and accepted it. He had no words, just tears. That was how he responded.” “Once the voting was finished, he went to what is referred to as the room of tears. He asked everyone to wait there. The voting results were to be brought to the room of tears, where he would lead prayers and other ceremonies afterward.” “He got ready to present himself to the public. We were positioned at four balconies or windows, all aligned.” “There were 133 bishops and 133 cardinals in attendance. He stood in the middle, prepared to greet the people.” “The venue was full, and it was an extraordinary experience to witness," Cardinal Sir Ribat expressed.
Published on May 28, 2025
ESSAY & POETRY CONTEST TO MARK PNG’s 50th ESSAY & POETRY CONTEST TO MARK PNG’s 50th
The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea is inviting Grade 11 students nationwide to participate in the National Essay and Poetry Contest, which commemorates the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary. The contest which launched on Friday 23rd May, will close on Friday 20th June. The central theme for both essay and poetry categories is: "PNG is celebrating 50 years of independence. What does independence mean to you and how do you envision PNG in 50 years' time?" Essay Category: • Language: Must be composed in English. • Word Count: Between 2,000 and 3,000 words. • Content: Students are encouraged to combine personal insights with research, which may include interviews with elders or analyses of history and literature. • Suggested Subthemes: Participants are invited to weave in subthemes like cultural pride, unity in diversity, leadership, or legacy. Poetry Category: • Language: Must be written in English. • Length: A minimum of 6 to 10 stanzas. • Structure: Each stanza should consist of at least 4 lines. Poems may be in free verse or follow traditional forms such as rhymes. Individual students can submit entries in one or both categories. For Individual Participants: • 1st Prize: K5,000 • 2nd Prize: K3,000 • 3rd Prize: K1,000 For the Winning School: • Plaque Award • Library Books Finalists’ Benefits: • National Program in Port Moresby: 24 finalists (6 from each of the 4 regions) will engage in a week-long program in Port Moresby in August 2025, marking the 41st anniversary of the official opening of Parliament House! • All-Expenses-Paid Trip: Finalists will be provided with return air tickets to Port Moresby, a daily allowance, and accommodation throughout the program, all covered by the National Parliament. • Publication Opportunities for Winning Entries. • Historic Capsule Contribution: Copies of all 24 finalist entries will be placed in a time capsule. This capsule will be interred with the presence of pioneering Members of Parliament and will be opened with their presence in 2075! Photographs are also to be included as items in the capsule. Key dates in Selection Process: Stage 1: Selection of top 6 entries in each school. • Deadline: Friday 27th June, 2025 Stage 2: Selection of top 6 entries in each province. • Deadline: Friday 11th July, 2025 Stage 3: Selection of top 24 regional entries. • Deadline: Friday 25th July, 2025 Students are encouraged to take part and showcase their literary skills, critical thinking and patriotism.
Published on May 27, 2025
WESTPAC PNG ANNOUNCES JUDGES FOR THE 2025 WOW AWARDS WESTPAC PNG ANNOUNCES JUDGES FOR THE 2025 WOW AWARDS
Westpac PNG recently announced its distinguished panel of judges for the 2025 Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards. This year's judges exemplify excellence across various sectors, including civil society, business, diplomacy, the arts, and governance, truly reflecting the essence of the Awards that honor women who inspire, lead, and transform their communities. With a renewed commitment to celebrating remarkable women in Papua New Guinea, the WOW Awards in 2025 is privileged to be guided by the collective wisdom, integrity, and vision of five extraordinary judges namely Ruth Kissam, Taumaia Hellesoe, Dame Meg Taylor, Ngaiire, and Michelle Hau'ofa. Ruth Kissam, the Overall Winner of the WOW Awards in 2018, is a pioneer in the country’s civil society. Her relentless efforts in the not-for-profit sector have influenced policies and empowered communities throughout the nation. Recently appointed as General Manager of Corporate Affairs for Steamships, Ruth remains a strong advocate for positive change. Taumaia Hellesoe brings over 20 years of experience in banking operations, governance, and strategic execution within PNG and the Pacific as a seasoned leader in financial services. As the Head of Operations at Westpac PNG, she is recognized for her composed leadership and dedication to service excellence, ethical governance, and the empowerment of women in leadership roles. Dame Meg Taylor, a lawyer trained at Harvard, has held positions on the boards of Nambawan Super and the PNG Sustainable Development Program, and was the first female Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum. Her distinguished career includes important roles with the World Bank Group and as Papua New Guinea's Ambassador to the US, Mexico, and Canada. A prominent figure in Pacific diplomacy and climate advocacy, Dame Meg's lifelong dedication to public service and her ground-breaking accomplishments serves as an inspiration for generations of women. Ngaiire, an artist born in Papua New Guinea and now based in Sydney, has made a name for herself with notable performances at Glastonbury and the Sydney Opera House, as well as collaborations with renowned artists like Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Flume. Her third album, titled ‘3’, draws inspiration from her return to her PNG roots and has garnered four ARIA nominations, marking a significant step into multidisciplinary art. In 2025, she is set to further expand her creative horizons with her upcoming large-scale show PAIA, premiering at VIVID Sydney. Michelle Hau'ofa, serving as the Chair of Callan Services National Unit and also as the Chair of one of PNG’s four superannuation fund Boards, brings a wealth of experience from her national leadership roles. Her dedication to the social and economic advancement of PNG is evident through her leadership in business and public health program delivery, where she has served on various boards across these sectors. The distinguished judges involved will contribute their insights, values, and personal experiences to the thorough selection process, ensuring that the 2025 WOW Awards continue to highlight the contributions of women across PNG who are making significant impacts in their respective fields and communities. Andrew Cairns, CEO of Westpac PNG, expressed his enthusiasm in regard to reintroduction of the WOW awards. “As we celebrate 115 years of banking in Papua New Guinea, we are excited to reintroduce the Westpac Outstanding Women’s Awards as one of our flagship initiatives that honors the strength, resilience, and brilliance of PNG women.” “The quality of our judging panel for 2025 reflects our commitment to recognizing the power of women’s leadership across all sectors of PNG society.” “We are privileged to have these outstanding individuals guiding the selection of the next generation of WOW Award recipients.” Nominations for the 2025 Westpac Outstanding Women’s Awards will close on May 30th, 2025. Winners in each of the seven categories will receive a K5,000 grant along with a full year’s mentorship program with a Westpac leader. The overall winner of the WOW Awards will be awarded a K5,000 grant, a full year of mentorship, and the opportunity to attend a business conference in Australia, all sponsored by Westpac.
Published on May 27, 2025
UN COMMITTEE URGED TO ACT ON ILLEGAL LOGGING UN COMMITTEE URGED TO ACT ON ILLEGAL LOGGING
ACT NOW! and Jubilee Australia Research Centre are calling on a UN Committee to address human rights abuses in Papua New Guinea (PNG) linked to illegal logging. The organizations have submitted a formal appeal to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, requesting that it consider taking action during its upcoming meeting in August. The Bismarck Ramu Group has also shown support for this initiative. Eddie Tanago, ACT NOW! Campaign Manager has communicated to the UN regarding the damage done to customary land. "We have emphasized to the UN that there is widespread, ongoing, and irreversible harm to customary resource owners whose forests are being taken by logging companies." "These violations are systematic, institutionalized, and endorsed by the PNG government through two specific mechanisms: Special Agriculture and Business Leases (SABLs) and Forest Clearing Authorities (FCAs) – a form of logging license." “For over a decade since the Commission of Inquiry into SABLs, successive PNG governments have rubber stamped the large-scale theft of customary resource owners’ forests by upholding the morally bankrupt SABL scheme and expanding the use of FCAs.” “They have failed to revoke SABLs that were acquired fraudulently, with disregard to the law or without landowner consent.” "In the meantime, logging companies have amassed hundreds of millions, if not billions, in ill-gotten profits by effectively appropriating forests from customary resource owners through the use of FCAs.” The complaint also highlights that the abuses are hard to challenge because PNG lack even a basic registry of SABLs or FCAs, and customary resource owners are denied access to information such as: The existence of an SABL or FCA over their forest. A map of the boundaries of any lease or logging license. Information about proposed agricultural projects used to justify the SABL or FCA. The monetary value of logs taken from forests. The beneficial ownership of logging companies – to identify who ultimately profits from illegal logging. The primary motivation for foreign companies to participate in illegal logging in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is profit – it remains lucrative because importing nations and businesses are willing to accept timber that has been logged unlawfully into their markets and supply chains. “If they refused to take any more timber from SABL and FCA areas and demanded a public audit of the logging permits – the money would dry up.” “We hope that this UN attention will urge the international community to see this isn’t an issue of less-than-perfect forest law enforcement.”  “This is a system, honed over decades, that is perpetrating irreparable harm on indigenous peoples across PNG through the wholesale violation of their rights and destroying their forests.”
Published on May 27, 2025