People who have fled tribal conflicts in the highlands and now residing in Port Moresby city, have been warned to behave themselves or return back to their homes. That is the warning issued by Prime Minister James Marape when speaking at the recent opening of a new police station at 9 Mile. While commenting on Moresby North- East Member of Parliament (MP) John Kaupa for the initiative to build the new police station, he also strongly warned people who escaped from tribal fights and are coming into the city, to respect each other and live in harmony with the city residents and not to break the law and cause disharmony in the community. He also said the new Bill that had been passed in Parliament will now help the police to punish people who do not abide by the law of this country. PM Marape said the Counter Terrorism Bill that was passed will now help police to come hard on those who break the law. Meantime, Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr also during his speech, talked about the difference between law- and- order and who is responsible for enforcing them. He said police are doing fine in enforcing the law in the country, but each family unit and the individual had failed their part to enforce order in their respective homes and that is why the country is facing a lot of law-and-order problems. He said when there is no order in each home, that will lead to more people breaking the law. He said when a family unit or a community is in order, there will be fewer lawbreakers and there will be fewer jobs for the police to do. Minister Tsiamalili, while thanking MP John Kaupa for the much-needed infrastructure, said the police department will work closely with him to fight the law-and-order problems in his electorate. Commander NCD and Central Provinces acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Benjamin Turi, who was there to welcome and witness the opening of the police station, thanked Moresby North- East MP and the government for their support in building the police station. He said this will now help the people living in the Moresby North- East area to bring their complaints to the police station to seek police service. He said a new police station commander had been appointed and he would commence duty as soon as possible to make sure the people were served by the police around that area. He said the new Police Station Commander is Inspector Leonard Wai.

The government has come good on its word to provide better support for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) with over K700 million allocated for the police budget in the 2025 National Budget. Treasurer Ian Ling Stucky when handing down the 2025 National Budget at the Press Lockup at Parliament House today, told the audience that funding the police better is key to addressing the many law and order issues faced in the country, where this year alone saw a lot more crimes committed from tribal fights to killings. “As a government, we observe very, very closely, we’re listening, and for next year’s budget, we will spend,” said the Treasurer. “We’re securing our country by a massive investment in our police providing more than what was requested by the police department.” Indeed, the Department requested for K700 million, but the government went ahead and gave K703 million support for the RPNGC. “The 2025 Budget gives the police more than they have asked for. We will give them a 19% increase in wages, so they are able to grow the force to 10,000 by 2030,” Ling Stucky said. “We have increased their goods and services budget to K158.6 million, an extraordinary increase of 67% in just one year. Enough moneys to fund fuel for their vehicles, stationary to prepare court cases, and support for special operations. The capital budget is K200 million as they requested.” In addition to this, police will be given top priority in other areas of cross-agency funding, such as retirement funding. “This is a good budget for our police. We want our police forces to understand, from this budget, that the Marape-Rosso Government stands along-side you, and your vital work.” “In this security-focused budget, we have increased their wages budget by 15%. We have increased their goods and services budget by an extraordinary 32% and their capital budget by an even more extraordinary 116%.”

The National Government today handed down a total K28 billion deficit budget for 2025 with a K10.3 billion Capital Investment Budget and a K1 billion cut in deficit. The 2025 National Budget is not a big increase from this year's budget, just a K10 billion increase, 4.6%. The budget has been presented to parliament by the treasurer for debate. The theme of the 2025 National Budget is "Securing PNG in 2025 and Beyond," which Treasurer Ian Ling Stucky says focuses on continuing the government's plan to achieve a surplus budget by 2027. Listen in to the 5&6pm news on NAU FM, Yumi FM, Legend FM and follow PNG HAUSBUNG for more details on this story and more.

The 2024 PNG Investment Week is all set to commence on the 6th of December in Sydney Australia, where the issue of Security and Development will be at the forefront of discussions. A high-powered panel will be discussing on the need for Papua New Guinea to improve Security and Development, to improve investor confidence. When providing an update on the 2024 PNG Investment Week, PNG CORE President Anthony Smaré said that because security was the top concern of any potential investor in PNG, it was important that a prominent session was dedicated to the issue on Day 1 of the Conference. “Improvement of PNG’s security environment is the number one concern for investors and operators in PNG,” stressed Mr. Smaré. “We know that there is a lot of work being done to improve PNGs’ security environment, by the National Government and with support of our international friends such as Australia and the US, and we are pleased to announce that PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Justin Tkatchenko, and PNG Internal Security Minister Hon. Peter Tsiamalili will be representing the PNG Government to speak during this session to provide an overview of initiatives that are being taken to improve security within PNG.” “They will be joined by an Australian representative who will provide an Australian perspective on their Foreign Affairs & Trade Programs, as well as the Bilateral Security Support to PNG.” For the first time, PNG Investment Week will also feature a United States perspective on Development and Security Support, which will be presented by Nitiana Mann, the US Legal Attache of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, based in Canberra who will discuss what the FBI does and what potential assistance and support from the US could look like to assist PNG. “Improving security is an important discussion which PNG must have now, so that we can secure our future. This is the reason why PNG Investment Week is a must attend event.” Meantime, the 2024 PNG Investment Week will commence on 6th December and wrapping up on the 11th of December at the ICC in Sydney.

A very controversial proposed law to amend the Constitution on the Motion of No Confidence Law got past the first vote in parliament despite being strongly opposed by the Opposition during the afternoon session yesterday. The proposed law to amend the Constitution was presented by the Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Pila Niningi for its Second Reading and the first required opportunity for debate and First Vote in parliament. The proposed law seeks to amend section 145 of the Constitution, so to make changes to the 18 months grace period to allow a government to operate right after a National General Election, before a Vote of No Confidence (VONC) can be attempted. According to the Minister, Section 145 of the Constitution will be amended by adding immediately after Subsection (4), the following new Subsection: “(5) Where a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister is unsuccessful, a subsequent motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister or the Ministry after the unsuccessful motion of no confidence, shall not be moved for another period of 18 months commencing on the date that the motion of no confidence is unsuccessful.” Now this means that if a VONC against a sitting Prime Minister is unsuccessful, another possible VONC can be lodged only after 18 months from the time of the defeat of that VONC, and not just any time after that unsuccessful vote. Minister Niningi stressed that this proposed amendment to the constitution aims to enable stability and confidence in the government, which would then lead to confidence from the public service, the private sector, the people, and the investors and donors in the government’s ability to lead, and with that enable efficient services and developments to reach the people. However, this justification of the proposed amendment did not settle well with the Opposition team, with most of the MPs on the other side of the House strongly debating against it and pleading with the MPs on the government benches to join them in rejecting it by voting against it. Most of the Opposition MPs said this proposed amendment serves only to protect the prime minister, allowing him to continue to sit on the chair despite numerous calls for a change in leadership over his poor handling of the affairs of the country. Meantime, most of the Government MPs were in favour, echoing very much the same reasons as that of the Justice Minister. PM James Marape weighed in saying that the amendment will not totally remove the Motion of No Confidence in the Constitution, instead extends the time frame. One MP who also contributed to the debate was the MP for Finschhafen Rainbo Paita, who recently returned to the government benches with his 14 members of his ‘OUR Pati’ after defecting from the Opposition. Mr. Paita said he and his party members fully support the proposed legislation, describing it as a shield and a sword for the prime minister to utilize to do some good work to improve the current situation faced in the country. “Prime Minister, we will support you with this legislation,” Paita declared. “You must now make strong calls, reforms, agendas, laws so that after 50 years we must see new boundaries, new sets of record. We must do it as a government.” “Take it as a confidence for you to make some hard calls and for us to progress forward,” he said. Meanwhile, the proposed amendment received unanimous support from the MPs, 79 to 14 allowing it to pass the First Vote. However, this proposed piece of legislation will need two more votes to come into effect. At this stage, the Second Vote has been adjourned for at least 2 months as required by the Constitution.

This news just in! The second motion of a Vote of No Confidence submitted by the Opposition this morning will not be placed on the parliament notice paper, meaning it will not be entertained by parliament. This was announced by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Koni Iguan, following the decision of the Private Business Committee after deliberating on the submission at 12:30pm in the office of the Speaker, stating constitutional implications. Meanwhile, the Opposition argued otherwise stating that the decision by the Committee was not informed well and yet another move to prevent another VONC on the prime minister. The Deputy Speaker made it clear that the Committee's decision stands. However, the Opposition vowed to continue to challenge this decision. More on this story on the 5pm Legend FM, Yumi FM and Nau FM news. Keep following PNG HAUSBUNG for more updates.

The Opposition has lodged it's second Vote of No Confidence (VONC), summiting the motion this morning to the office of the Speaker of Parliament at 9:40 am. In that submission paper, the Opposition listed Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas as the Opposition's choice for alternative prime minister. Governor Sir Peter Ipatas in an official later from his office dated today, Wednesday 27th November 2024, acknowledged his nomination by the Opposition and confirmed his voluntary acceptance. "I take this nomination with the greatest honour and I thank the leaders for proposing and supporting me in this regard for the national interest," Sir Ipatas stated. Meantime, the VONC submission is now before parliament and would normally take one week to through the constitutional process of verification if all requirements are met before it can be actually moved on the floor of parliament, just like in the previous VONC motion some months back.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Koni Iguan this morning announced that the Opposition has filed another Vote of No Confidence (VONC) motion against the sitting Prime Minister (PM) James Marape. The speaker then advised that Parliament received the VONC motion from the Opposition at 9:40am this morning before Parliament resumed sitting. He said Parliament will suspend at lunch for the Committee to deal with the motion. More on this story on the Legend FM, Yumi FM and Nau FM News at 12pm. Keep following PNG HAUSBUNG for more updates.

Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Pila Niningi, has announced that he would be asking the Supreme Court to clarify whether a second Vote of No Confidence (VONC) motion is allowed to be moved against the same prime minister. Minister Ninigi will be seeking clarification on two sections of the Constitution and has instructed lawyers to institute proceedings under section 19 of the Constitution to seek the Supreme Court’s interpretation and application of constitutional provisions relating to the process of a VONC. “As the country’s principal legal advisor to the National Executive, I am seeking guidance from the Supreme Court on certain aspects of VONC under s.145 and s.142 of the Constitution,” said the minister. “I will be asking the Supreme Court to provide clarity as to whether a second VONC can be moved against a government that has already been the subject of a VONC.” The Minister said his decision is to make sure that the spirit of the VONC provision as envisaged by the founding fathers is kept and not abused as seen many times in the past from numerous VONC motions being brought against prime ministers. “Papua New Guinea’s founding fathers, in their wisdom through the Constitutional Planning Committee, have included VONC as a means by which an Executive Government is held accountable by the people through their elected representatives in Parliament." “It was intended as a mechanism to measure government performance over the first 18 months in office and make change if this was vital." “For the Marape-Rosso Government, it has passed this ‘test’ by an overwhelming majority vote of 75 – 32 on 12 September 2024 on the floor of Parliament.” Minister Niningi said that through the questions being posed in the section 19 refence, he is seeking the Court’s assistance to clarify whether an executive government should be subjected to another ‘test’ by way of a second VONC and if a second VONC reflects the spirit of this provision as envisaged by the Constitutional Planning Committee in drafting the Constitution of Papua New Guinea (PNG). “I am concerned that since Independence, VONC has been abused for self-interest of a few politicians and has lost its intended purpose as envisaged by the Constitutional Planning Committee." “Since Independence, I have witnessed countless VONCs brought against prime ministers which have all been accompanied with instability in government and the Public Service, and a loss in investor confidence.” "Seeking the Supreme Court’s clarification in this important area was good for the country’s benefit and the development of jurisprudence for PNG," he said.

Parliament got off to a slow start this afternoon in Port Moresby city for the November session, but once things were underway, the issue of law- and- order once again dominated question time with the MP for Wabag, Dr. Lino Tom asking what the police minister is doing to address it. Dr. Lino’s questions mostly stem from the law-and-order issues in the Enga province and some parts of the Highlands region that continue to experience tribal conflicts and other forms of crime, including misconduct at public administrations and corruption. He also questioned why there have been a lack of arrests of perpetrators of conflicts, despite the suspects known to law enforcement authorities, questioning also the capacity of the police force to diligently carry out its constitutional duties without fear or favour. Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr said the Marape- Rosso Government continues to do its best, highlighting some of the efforts and initiatives being undertaking, including intelligence with the US government, police reservists training partnership with provincial governments, and recruitment of regular police personnel. The minister said the government is doing this to beef up police manpower and the capacity to address the matter of law- and- order going forward, but perhaps the most important of all is a domestic terrorism bill in which he will be presenting to parliament tomorrow. “This is what we are doing already and so when you are asking of our plans going forward, I will be bringing a bill tomorrow that will help our policemen to elevate how we are going to counter situations that we deemed are to be an act of terrorism, and I will expect everyone to support that bill going forward,” said Minister Tsiamalili.

Today, the National Capital District (NCD) wardens started their engagement with the police at Boroko and Gordons following their introduction on Monday by the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) in partnership with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. This morning, they were up as early as 5am to start their first day at work. At Gordons, the Police Station Commander (PSC), Senior Inspector Gabriel Kini was there to receive them and place them at locations that he thinks they should base to do their job. The public is encouraged to work with them to help make our city clean and safe. “Nothing will change overnight, so we the police, the wardens are all humans, and we will need 100 per cent support from the public,” said the PSC. The introduction of the City Warden Initiative is in response to the rising crime rates and serious safety concerns in Port Moresby city. NCD Governor, Powes Parkop at the launching said this initiative aims at enhancing public safety to critical transit points throughout the city. The Initiative imposes measures to known hotspots in partnership with police, government agencies and local communities. This is because police manpower is underwhelmed with less than 900+ police personnel in NCD managing over a million people. ” Safety and security are our priorities, and with collective efforts from everyone, we can make this city a better place, a place that is safe and conducive for everyone to move freely at any time of the day as they wish,” said the governor. Through this partnership, trained youth will be deployed to take over public space, especially bus stops and identified hotspots in the city. The first phase of this initiative will involve the deployment of 150 trained youths at the Boroko and Gordons precincts. These youth have undergone two weeks of induction and three days of specialized skills training conducted by professional instructors, including former and current servicemen from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. The training covered basic life skills, health and hygiene, code of ethics, appropriate dressing and behaviour, crisis management, self-respect, and adherence to a chain of command. Through this training, Defence instructors have equipped them with the skills to perform their duties efficiently and confidently, knowing what to do and what not to do as wardens. This will help eliminate crime in the city. The standard operating procedures for the NCD wardens include: ● Making their presence known in public spaces, ●Monitoring public movement, ●Discouraging illegal vending, ●Providing security for women, girls, and other vulnerable individuals, and ●Addressing unethical behavior in public spaces. These wardens will serve as the eyes and ears of frontline police officers, working closely with them to maintain peace, safety, and security in public areas.

PRICE OF COOKING OIL TO INCREASE IN COMING MONTHS The country’s consumer watchdog, the Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission (ICCC) is warning consumers to brace for an increase in the price of vegetable cooking oil. The ICCC has made it clear that the increase is solely due to international price increases in vegetable oils, which the ICCC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Paulus Ain further elaborated that the looming price increase is attributed to the diminishing supply of palm oil from Southeast Asia, coupled with surges in global demand. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also showed this expected rise in price when it indicated vegetable oil prices have risen in the final quarter of 2024, following a period of decline since peaking in March 2022. “PNG consumers will see increased vegetable oil prices in the coming months,” Mr. Ain said. “A number of traders have been approaching the ICCC to increase the prices for vegetable oil recently. We thank these traders for their initiative and cooperation and also encourage other traders to do the same.” The ICCC has been also closely monitoring the prices of key food items, to ensure that there are not any deceptive or unfair pricing practices during the post pandemic period. Meantime, Mr. Ain further urged the business houses to comply with the current Price Control Measure (Measure No. 4) being implemented by the ICCC under the National Pandemic Act. “Business houses must seek the ICCC’s approval should they wish to increase the prices of goods sold. Mr. Ain also warned and stressed that necessary actions will be taken against non- compliant shops if they fail to comply with the requirements of Measure No.4.