Tomorrow will mark World Tourism Day, and the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) will be hosting a conference with the identify and work to address issues affecting the tourism industry. World Tourism Day Conference is set to take place on Friday, 27th September, at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby to bring together various stakeholders from the tourism industry to voice their concerns and discuss strategies to mitigate challenges facing the sector. The global event will be observed in PNG through the informative conference, themed, “Tourism & Peace: Unlocking PNG’s Potential through Addressing Law and Infrastructure Challenges.” aims to tackle some of the most pressing issues hindering the growth of tourism in the country. Just recently the PNG TPA reported a big surge in tourists visiting the country with K38 million injected into the country’s economy from these visits just this year alone; a driving factor behind the efforts to do more to address issues impacting the tourism industry so that a lot more tourists may come visit the country. The conference will be focusing on three critical topics, Addressing Law and Order, Aviation and Infrastructure and Tourism Operators. Special guests expected to speak during the conference are, Acting Managing Director for the National Airports Corporation (NAC), Mr. Dominic Kaumu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Niugini Limited, Mr. Garry Seddon, Governor of NCDC, Powes Parkop, Police Commissioner David Manning, and the Head of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Department at UPNG, Dr. Joyce Rayel. TPA’s CEO, Eric Mossman Uvovo described the conference as a crucial and timely event for the sector. "This conference is a crucial moment for the future of tourism in Papua New Guinea. We are bringing together the key players in the industry to discuss real challenges and find practical solutions that can unlock our country’s vast tourism potential,” he said. “Law and order, infrastructure, and aviation are critical areas where we need progress, and this dialogue will be an important step toward a brighter future for tourism in PNG.” Uvovo also emphasized the importance of stakeholders from the industry working collaboratively for the future of tourism in the country. “Discussions ranging from government security strategies to aviation infrastructure updates and the challenges faced by tourism operators. The conference will provide a platform for collaboration between the public and private sectors.” He added that PNG’s tourism industry has enormous potential, but unlocking that potential requires a unified effort to address the barriers that currently hold us back.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has seen a surge in marine tourism with more than 24, 000 cruise ship tourists visiting the country this year alone. According to a report released by the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA), using data provided by Inchcape Shipping, a total of 24, 407 visitors have arrived in PNG so far this year on 12 different international cruise ship liners. The cruise industry is playing a significant role in boosting the country’s tourism numbers, with several more vessels scheduled to arrive before the end of the year. Between October and December, four more cruise ships are expected to bring an estimated 6, 548 additional visitors to PNG, further contributing to the nation’s growing tourism sector. The most frequent visitor to PNG’s shores has been the Pacific Encounter, a popular ship owned and operated by the Carnival Cruise Line. In contrast, the French-operated Le Soleal, owned by Compagnie du Ponant, has brought the fewest number of visitors but has remained a key player in the luxury cruise market. TPA’s CEO, Mr. Eric Mossman Uvovo highlighted the unique appeal of Papua New Guinea, which continues to attract visitors not only through its ports but also via international air services. “Papua New Guinea offers a truly unique experience from our rich cultural heritage to stunning natural landscapes,” said Mr. Uvovo. “Our country’s appeal spans across various types of travelers, whether arriving by sea or air. Each visitor has the chance to embark on their own million different journey of discovery, and that’s what makes PNG such a remarkable destination.” Uvovo also highlighted TPA’s ongoing efforts to build lasting relationships with the international cruise industry. “Over the years, we have worked closely with various cruise lines to forge strong partnerships that have been beneficial to our marine tourism sector. As the cruise ship season progresses, we look forward to welcoming even more visitors to explore the nation’s million different journeys, making Papua New Guinea a must-visit destination for travelers from around the world,” said Uvovo.

Prime Minister (PM) James Marape on Monday announced that the 2025 National Budget will provide significant support for both the Judiciary and the Magisterial Services. The PM made this announcement after receiving the Judiciary’s budget estimates for 2025 from Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika and Chief Magistrate Mr. Mark Pupaka on Monday 23rd September in Port Moresby city. Prime Minister Marape underscored that law- and- order is now the central focus of the Marape- Rosso Government, a stance that reflects the Government’s recognition of its critical importance to national stability as Papua New Guinea (PNG) prepares to celebrate 50 years of independence in 2025. Sir Gibbs requested K369 million as Recurrent Estimates for 2025 in the Judiciary’s Appropriation Bill 2024, an increase of K72.7 million from the 2024 allocation of K296.4 million. Mr. Pupaka also pointed out that the Magisterial Services’ 2025 budget is projected at K109 million, up from the 2024 allocation of K98 million. The Chief Justice also praised the Government for fully funding the Judiciary's request in the 2024 National Budget, while the Chief Magistrate acknowledged the Government’s commitment since taking office in 2019, providing Magisterial Services with its highest-ever level of funding. Prime Minister Marape assured them of the Government’s continued commitment to providing sufficient funding to ensure the effective administration of justice. The PM reiterated that law- and- order is the foundation of a functioning society and economy, stating: “Administration of the Law and Justice Sector is what secures our country, especially our economy, and both the Higher Court (Supreme and National Court) and the Lower Court (Magisterial Service) are equally important in this regard.” “A successful country is one that follows the rule of law. We cannot pass on a country riddled with law-and-order issues to the next generation. We cannot defer conversations such as this, which focus on strengthening the sector,” said Marape when emphasising that a strong rule of law is non-negotiable for PNG’s future. He highlighted that the Government’s focus on law- and- order was demonstrated when, immediately after defeating the no-confidence motion on September 12, the Coalition went straight into a meeting and resolved that law- and- order must be the No. 1 priority of the Government. “In 2019, after we first formed Government, the economic agenda was No. 1. This time around, my Coalition partners have resolved that law- and- order must be our No. 1 priority,” the Prime Minister said. “In line with that, and with the presentations by the Judiciary and Magisterial Services, we will provide the necessary resources and support to both. In 2025, as we celebrate 50 years of independence, we will also open the new Waigani National Court Complex.” Prime Minister Marape concluded by assuring the Judiciary and Magisterial Services that the Government’s full support is behind them as part of its broader strategy to restore law- and- order across the country. Meanwhile, also in attendance at the meeting were the Chief Secretary to the Government Mr. Ivan Pomaleu, National Judicial Staff Services (NJSS) Secretary Mr. Nicodemus Mosoro, and NJSS Acting Deputy Secretary, Mr. Humphrey John.

A church and government partnership will see the construction of a new health center to serve the people of Yangoru- Saussia district of East Sepik province in the near future. This was seen recently when the Yangoru- Saussia District Development Authority (DDA) made a commitment to partner with the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church to build a new health center at the cost of K1.5 million in Nagum. The Minister for International Trade and Investment & Yangoru-Saussia MP, Richard Maru made this commitment at the 22nd Grade 10 and 4th Grade 12 Graduation of Nagum Adventist Secondary School. “We will start building this major health centre next year and it will serve the people in Urimo Ring, Mongen Ring, and the Marinumbo Ring of Sause LLG. This service is very much needed in this underserved area. The new police station that we are building at Nagum will complement this new health centre and the school,” said Minister Maru. “We are also happy that the Nagum Adventist Secondary School has offered to host the Sause LLG TVET training centre and we will look at funding this project next year.” Minister Maru also encouraged Nagum Adventist Secondary School and all other schools in the district to seriously look at taking up poultry farming as a business to supplement their income. “We want all our schools in the district to be self-funding in a lot of ways apart from depending on the Tuition Fee-Free funds to generate much needed income for the schools,” said Minister Maru.

The Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) will now be able to audit companies in the fisheries industry to ensure they comply with the country’s tax laws. This was made possible through a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the IRC, the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and National ICT Authority (NICTA), on information sharing. From a tax perspective, the fisheries sector has been challenging to administer and manage resulting in the IRC unable to correctly audit players in the PNG fisheries industry. The consequences of this have been a reduction and loss in the overall tax revenue, a drag in tax compliance, a non- disclosure of revenue specifically, and directly affecting corporate income tax and goods and services tax. The IRC Commissioner General, Mr. Sam Koim, strongly emphasised the need to aggressively ensure that the conduct of players in the primary industry are properly scrutinized, monitored, and regulated. Given that the fisheries sector falls within the ambit of the broader primary industry, the IRC aims to curtail adverse effects associated with transfer pricing, based erosion and profit shifting in the fisheries industry. This cannot be achieved without a strong collaboration between the NFA and the IRC. During the MoU signing last week, another key issue brought up was data security when sharing information between the three state agencies. Data protection is a crucial part of this MoU, which aims to safeguard personal and private data as well. Mr. Justin Llikani, Managing Director of the NFA, stated, “The MoU signifies the partnership between NFA and the IRC to ensure data compliance, particularly in the fisheries sector, where companies must adhere to both fish management and tax laws.” The goal is to share data to ensure compliance and prevent tax evasion while protecting data sovereignty and adhering to NFA policies. A data warehouse will be created to store fisheries and tuna data, ensuring it aligns with NFA's data protection policies. The MoU will set the foundation to address these challenges with Mr. Koim also added that international taxation efforts are being pursued, including participation in conferences and investments in pillar- one and two work led by OECD. “Countries like Australia are already collecting taxes from companies like Google and Facebook, and similar efforts are being planned,” he stated. The signing of the MoU enhances the IRC's collaboration with key stakeholders, through its professional partnership framework. This framework supports the responsible use and sharing of data under the IRC's Data Governance Framework, ensuring that strong policies are in place to effectively manage data throughout its lifecycle.

A delegation of Australian businesses is embarking on an important journey to Papua New Guinea (PNG) this week on a mission to further strengthen business ties between the two countries. The trip, which commences today Monday 23rd September to Friday 27th September, aims at fostering stronger economic ties and increasing trade and investment opportunities between PNG and Australia, through the Australia- Papua New Guinea Business Exchange. This Australia-Papua New Guinea Business Exchange will take place in Lae and Port Moresby cities, featuring a series of targeted events designed to facilitate dialogue, collaboration, and partnership between Australian and Papua New Guinean enterprises. The highlight of the Exchange will be a Business Breakfast this Thursday 26th September, where influential leaders from the Westpac Group and the Australian High Commission will share insights on the evolving business landscape in PNG and strategies for successful investment. This initiative comes at a crucial time as both Australia and PNG seek to deepen their economic relationship, leveraging their shared geographic proximity and cultural ties. The program will include networking opportunities, panel discussions, and site visits to key industries, enabling Australian businesses to better understand the local market dynamics and explore potential collaboration with PNG counterparts. PNG businesses across various sectors, including technology, building and construction, infrastructure, and renewables, are encouraged to participate, as the Business Exchange presents a unique platform for forging meaningful connections and expanding their partnership opportunities. Minister-Counsellor, Australian High Commission, Papua New Guinea Ms Diane Barclay, says PNG is a land of opportunity, and this Exchange is a vital step towards unlocking its full potential for Australian investors. “We believe that fostering strong partnerships will not only benefit our businesses but also contribute to the economic growth of both countries.” Mr. Rio Fiocco, the President from the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI) says they look forward to hosting the business delegation at the POMCCI breakfast event. “Engaging with Australia’s vibrant business community is essential for creating sustainable investment opportunities.” “We are excited to support this initiative and look forward to seeing the outcomes of these important discussions.”

A prominent company in the country's health sector is currently being investigated by the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) for tax evasion. The IRC Commissioner General, Mr. Sam Koim, issued a statement confirming that an audit conducted by the IRC, revealed a serious level of tax evasion by this particular company, whose name is withheld due to the ongoing investigation. "The IRC strongly warns that tax evasion through fraudulent means is illegal and that it (IRC) employs rigorous systems to identify and penalize such practices," said Mr. Koim in that statement released. The IRC has initiated legal action against the said company to demonstrate its commitment to addressing these fraudulent practices and urges all corporations to act as responsible citizens by fulfilling their tax obligations accurately, thus contributing to the nation's development. "The IRC's strong stance aims to promote tax compliance and protect the integrity of the tax system in the country.

The inaugural AFL (Australian Football League) Pacific Cup is coming up in November in Australia, and the AFL PNG team is not wasting any time in preparing for it. ALF PNG Senior Football Manager, Mr. Rex Leka confirmed with PNG HAUSBUNG that the Papua New Guinea (PNG) AFL Commission has endorsed the train on teams for the men’s and women’s national teams- the PNG Mozzies and Flames, to prepare for the 2024 AFL Pacific Cup. He said that after the rigorous training that the train on squads will be going through, the selections will then be finalized. “This is the train on squad until the end of the month (September). We will be submitting only 28,” Mr. Leka said. He went on to explain that the final selection will only be 28 players for both national teams, adding that overseas based players will also be included in the finalized lists with three boys based in Australia to join the Mozzies. As for the women’s national team, Mr. Leka said they are yet to confirm the overseas based girls to be included in the Flames. He said there could be at least 3 or 4 girls based in Australia that could join the women’s team. “The Pacific Cup will run from the 18th of November to the 24th at the Sunshine Coast, Australia. That’s going to be the first ever pacific AFL Cup,” Mr. Leka said. Meantime, the total number of members in the men’s train on squad is 46 and for the women’s, 39 members.

Prime Minister James Marape survived a Vote of No Confidence (VONC) moved by the Opposition this morning, relieved to have the support of his coalition Members. PM Marape in his speech after the VONC motion was entertained, expressed his gratitude for the MPs who voted for him to remain as Prime Minister, adding that now this is over and done with, it is time to get back to work on running the country. Marape also thanked the Opposition for moving the VONC motion, stating that they exercised their duty and enacted a constitutional process to elect a new government, which is a mark of democracy. He also thanked MP Rainbo Paita for being the selected alternative PM for the opposition team. Meantime, Paita congratulated Marape on his victory this morning and urged him to now look at fully addressing the pressing issues in the country through a bipartisan approach. He also urged the MPs on the government team to work closely with Marape on making positive changes going forward. Parliament was then adjourned to November 26th at 2pm.

This news just in! The Speaker of Parliament announced the results of the Vote of No Confidence (VONC) motion. Those for PM James Marape 75, those for a new government, 32. Marape remains in power as PNG's Prime Minister, therefore defeating the VONC motion moved by the Opposition this morning. No MP moved across the floor this morning to join either side. Keep following PNG HAUSBUNG for more updates and listen in to the NAU FM NEWS, YUMI FM NEWS and LEGEND FM NEWS for more on this story.

The Vote of No Confidence (VONC) will be on the National Parliament agenda paper tomorrow and is expected to be moved by the Opposition to vote against incumbent Prime Minister, James Marape. Parliament today confirmed that the resumption of the sitting will be at 10am in the morning. What is expected when parliament resumes, is for the Opposition to move a motion for the vote to take place, which should commence the proceedings for the VONC to take place on the floor of parliament. Apart from this, it should be another normal parliament day with other agendas to be dealt with on the floor as well. Parliament was adjourned last week on Thursday 5th September for a week to give time for the VONC to go through the required constitutional process before it can be active on the day of the actual vote to take place. At present, the number of Members Parliament in the Opposition team is over 30 and the government team over 70, but these numbers could change today in the lead up to the VONC, or even tomorrow on the floor of parliament where MPs can cross over the floor to another team. Meantime, security is expected to be heightened tomorrow at the National Parliament premises and the city as well when MPs sit for the parliament session.

The Pope’s visit to the country marked a significant time, not only for the Catholic faithful, but for all Christians a like and for the nation as whole, especially at a time when things are not going so great. That was the sentiment expressed by the Governor for West New Britain (WNB), Sasindran Muthuvel, when PNG HAUSBUNG spoke with him after Pope Francis’s visit to APEC Haus in Port Moresby city on Saturday 8th September to meet with Pacific Island dignitaries who came to also meet the Pope. The good governor said his people also came along to the capital city to see the Pope and attend the Holy Mass, over 160 Catholics from the province came on what he described a pilgrimage to see His Holiness despite challenging economic times where the costs of goods and services are too high. He said this reflects the people’s faith in God that good times will come and that peace, harmony and good will amongst people will prevail in challenging times, something which the Pope, a representative and servant of the Almighty on earth, embodies in his visit and message to people of Papua New Guinea (PNG). “We are truly blessed and honored to see Pope’s visit in Papua New Guinea,” said the governor. He said Pope Francis gave very good messages for the nation, especially about the importance of respecting women especially at a time when the country is faced with challenges in addressing violence against women and violence in general, adding that the Pope’s message of peace and prayer should also be absorbed and deeply reflected on by all Christians. The governor was also pleased to hear the Pope’s message on the Bougainville issue among other challenges faced in the country, where the Pope urged the government to bring a peaceful and permanent solution to the issue of Bougainville’s full independence. “We are truly blessed to receive the Pope, and I strongly believe that his visit to the country will bring a good blessing to our country, Papua New Guinea.”