Tasminnie ISIMELI

Australian Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy has said that implementation of agreements between Papua New Guinea and Australia was a key focus of the 32nd PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby.Mr. Conroy said both countries have made progress on the Bilateral Security Agreement and are continuing work towards strengthening their alliance.He said the priority must be turning agreements into practical outcomes that deliver benefits to the people of both countries.“Implementation must be the North Star of everything we do so that the people of both Papua New Guinea and Australia see the close benefits from our close relationship,” Mr. Conroy said.He also highlighted the proposed direct recruitment of Papua New Guineans into the Australian Defence Force as one of the issues linked to strengthening defence cooperation.Mr. Conroy said the relationship between the two countries was built on close historical and geographical ties, which create a special responsibility to work together towards their shared potential.He also described the entry of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs into the National Rugby League in 2028 as a major milestone for both countries.Mr. Conroy said the team has the potential to unite Papua New Guinea’s diverse communities, bringing together its many tribes and languages through a shared passion for rugby league.He also congratulated the PNG Kumuls on their victory over Lebanon in the Rugby League World Cup over the weekend.The 32nd Ministerial Forum is expected to advance discussions on bilateral cooperation, including security, defence and the implementation of existing agreements.

Papua New Guinean university graduates will be among the first to enter a new recruitment pathway into the Australian Defence Force (ADF), with applications opening on November 16 under a pilot program announced by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.The program will initially target students and graduates from the University of Papua New Guinea, Pacific Adventist University and the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.Mr. Marles said the first intake will begin a 16-week training course in Papua New Guinea from May next year, with approximately 50 recruits in each of two cohorts planned over the next two years.“This is about proving the concept, making sure that we get it right from the outset, making sure that this succeeds at the beginning,” Mr. Marles said.He said the pilot program is intended to establish a model that could eventually expand to recruit thousands of Papua New Guineans directly into the Australian Defence Force.“In time, it is our ambition to be recruiting thousands of Papua New Guineans directly into the Australian Defence Force,” he said.The recruitment initiative will seek to ensure representation from provinces across Papua New Guinea, creating opportunities for eligible Papua New Guineans to serve in Australia's military.Mr. Marles said recruits will be able to retain their Papua New Guinean citizenship while acquiring Australian citizenship.“These recruits will literally be the embodiment of the alliance between Australia and PNG,” he said.Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso said the initiative could also deliver long-term benefits to Papua New Guinea through skills development, training and financial contributions from recruits serving in Australia.He says Papua New Guineans joining the ADF would gain skills and experience that could benefit their home country, while remittances could provide additional support to families and communities.“It's about Papua New Guineans learning skill sets, gaining skills, and bringing them back here to Papua New Guinea,” Mr. Rosso said.“It's about remittance that comes back to Papua New Guinea. It's about learning. It's about training. It's about interoperability. It's about partnership between both nations.”Mr. Rosso says the recruitment pathway reflects the broader defence and security relationship between the two countries, which he said has continued to strengthen since the Ministerial Forum began in its current form in 2022.He said a stronger and more secure Papua New Guinea would also benefit Australia, highlighting the mutual interests underpinning the two countries' alliance.The Australian Deputy Prime Minister also reveals that about 40 Papua New Guinean permanent residents living in Australia have already taken up an earlier opportunity to join the ADF and are progressing through the recruitment process.He said the first recruit from that group could enter the force within months.Mr. Marles said the direct recruitment initiative originated from a proposal by Papua New Guinea, describing it as a significant step in the countries' evolving alliance.“What we're doing here today is planting a seed, and it is just the beginning,” he said.The announcement was made at the first PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum since the two countries formally became alliance partners.Other initiatives announced include $110 million in Australian investment in infrastructure in Papua New Guinea and the establishment of a military rotation involving approximately 130 Australian personnel from the 3rd Brigade based in Townsville.Mr. Rosso said the two countries' cooperation extends beyond defence to policing, security, communications, healthcare, education and infrastructure.Mr. Marles said the recruitment initiative could become a substantial part of the bilateral relationship over the next decade.

Australia has announced additional support for Papua New Guinea’s primary healthcare services and the nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccine, while committing to closer cooperation in telecommunications, education and labour mobility under the two countries’ strengthened alliance.Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the announcements were among the outcomes of the 32nd PNG-Australia Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby, which focused on expanding cooperation across defence, security, health, education, the economy, labour mobility and sport.Ms. Wong announced a two-year primary healthcare program aimed at strengthening health services, particularly maternal and child health.Australia will also provide an additional one million dollars to support the Papua New Guinean Government’s nationwide rollout of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which helps protect women and girls against cervical cancer.Ms. Wong said the latest commitments reflect the countries’ intention to turn their alliance into practical benefits for their citizens.“They are about making our partnership real in the lives of our people,” she said.She says the ministerial forum provides an opportunity for both governments to assess existing cooperation and identify areas where further progress can be made.“Today was an opportunity to take stock of what we've done, we've done a lot, but importantly to look at and agree where we can do more,” Ms. Wong said.PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko said the forum has also advanced discussions on improving telecommunications and making internet access more affordable for Papua New Guineans.He said Australia will assist PNG in progressing its telecommunications blueprint, with further work expected between the Department of Communication and state-owned enterprises over the coming weeks and months.“Moving that forward under the telecommunication blueprint to get cheaper, less affordable internet connections for our people, for business, for Papua New Guinea,” Mr. Tkatchenko said.The comments point to telecommunications as another area of cooperation, with more details expected as the two governments work towards implementation.The two countries also discussed expanding opportunities for Papua New Guineans through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme and providing additional Pacific Engagement Visa places for PNG citizens seeking opportunities to live and work in Australia.Tkatchenko said cooperation across health, telecommunications, higher education and sport reflects the wider scope of the strengthened relationship.He also highlighted the implementation of the Pukpuk Treaty and the bilateral security arrangement, saying the agreements would support closer cooperation on security and other shared priorities.“We're not looking back. We're only looking forward,” he said.Ms. Wong says the range of agreements reached at the forum demonstrates the breadth of the bilateral relationship and the areas in which both countries intend to work more closely.“The strength of the forum is not just any single announcement, but it is the breadth of what we are doing together,” she said.The 32nd Ministerial Forum was the first since Papua New Guinea and Australia formally became alliance partners, marking a new phase in their longstanding relationship.Both ministers say the focus now is on translating the alliance’s commitments into practical outcomes for people in both countries.

The direct recruitment of Papua New Guineans into the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is among the key issues expected to be discussed at the 32nd Papua New Guinea–Australia Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby.Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles says the proposal will be discussed as both countries look at ways to strengthen their defence and security cooperation under their newly established alliance.Mr. Marles says the forum provides an opportunity for both governments to consider how they can take the relationship forward, particularly in areas of mutual interest.He says eight Australian ministers have travelled to Papua New Guinea for the forum, which brings together representatives from both governments to discuss shared priorities.The proposed recruitment of Papua New Guineans into the Australian Defence Force is one of the specific areas of defence cooperation highlighted by Mr. Marles ahead of the discussions.However, he did not provide further details on the proposed recruitment arrangements, including when they might begin, eligibility requirements or the number of Papua New Guineans who could be recruited.Beyond defence, Mr. Marles says the forum will also address economic relations between the two countries.He describes Australia as Papua New Guinea’s largest trading and investment partner, highlighting the importance of maintaining and strengthening economic ties.PNG Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko says the forum continues efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and take cooperation to another level.Mr. Tkatchenko says collaboration in areas such as health, education and security is important to ensuring the safety and prosperity of the people of both countries and the wider Pacific region.Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says the alliance is not only about what the two countries achieve together, but also how they work together.Ms. Wong says consultation, respectful engagement and joint implementation are important to advancing their shared priorities.The 32nd Ministerial Forum marks the first annual meeting of ministers from both countries since PNG and Australia became allies.The discussions are expected to help guide future cooperation across defence, economic relations and other areas of shared interest.

Households across the nation’s capital are bracing for heightened financial pressure following a K1 per litre increase in fuel prices, sparking widespread concern over rising transport fares and the escalating costs of everyday essential goods and services.The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) confirmed that the price hike for petrol, diesel, and kerosene in Port Moresby took effect on October 8, 2026.The sharp increase comes immediately after the exhaustion of the national government’s K1 billion fuel relief package, marking the end of a crucial fiscal subsidy that had previously insulated consumers from volatile global energy markets.For families already balancing steep educational expenses, rising food costs, and general domestic overheads, the sudden jump in fuel prices threatens to place an unsustainable strain on weekly household budgets.Because fuel constitutes a dominant operating expense for public motor vehicles (PMVs), logistics firms, and commercial distributors, business houses are facing immediate cost pressures. Industry analysts warn that these elevated overheads could trigger immediate inflationary flow-on effects, directly impacting retail shelves and passenger fares. Parents, students, and workers who rely heavily on public transport are particularly vulnerable to any subsequent tariff adjustments.In an effort to mitigate the financial shockwave, the Government has extended the Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemption on fuel until December 31, 2026.However, the final impact on the public hinges on how local transport syndicates and commercial businesses absorb these new operating costs. The ICCC encourages consumers to audit their household spending carefully and closely monitor retail pricing compliance as the new fuel rates settle into the economy.

The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) has clarified that while it closely monitors price movements for aviation fuel, it does not directly set the retail price of Jet A-1 fuel used by commercial aircraft.The clarification comes in response to growing public concern over rising domestic aviation costs and subsequent increases in domestic airfares.ICCC Commissioner Roy Daggy explained that aviation fuel operates under a distinct cost structure that separates it from standard petroleum products, whose maximum retail prices are directly regulated by the commission."While technical similarities mean that fluctuations in kerosene and other petroleum markets can correlate with aviation fuel trends, Jet A-1 pricing is subject to specialized technical and safety considerations unique to the aviation industry," Mr. Daggy stated. "Consequently, the ICCC’s mandate is strictly limited to monitoring these market movements rather than dictating the final prices charged to airlines."Mr. Daggy also noted that the national government's targeted fuel subsidy arrangements continue to encompass aviation fuel support. This distinction separates state-level policy decisions regarding financial assistance from the commission's independent regulatory boundaries.The ICCC emphasized that its position does not determine the exact extent to which fuel prices have driven up domestic ticket costs. Identifying the precise impact of fuel expenses on airfares would require independent disclosures from commercial airlines and aviation fuel suppliers.This regulatory update aims to provide consumers with transparency regarding the commission's legal powers as debates persist over the affordability of domestic air travel across Papua New Guinea.

The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) is fast-tracking a special regulatory review of public transport fares following a K1.00 per litre fuel price hike, while issuing a strict warning that Public Motor Vehicle (PMV) and taxi operators face immediate prosecution if they unilaterally overcharge commuters.ICCC Commissioner Roy Daggy confirmed that the statutory watchdog is actively assessing whether an emergency adjustment to public motor vehicle (PMV) and taxi fares were necessary before the scheduled annual review for 2027.He said the review would consider how higher fuel prices have affected transport operators, while ensuring any proposed increase is justified by actual operating costs.Daggy said a decision could be made in the coming days or weeks, subject to the commission's assessment and formal approval process.However, he stressed that higher fuel prices do not automatically justify higher passenger fares, as fuel is only one component of the overall cost of running a transport service."Until any revised fares are formally approved and gazette, operators must continue charging the existing approved rates."He emphasized that the ICCC is also reminding commuters to report suspected overcharging as transport businesses adjust to rising fuel costs.Passengers who are charged above the approved fare are encouraged to record the vehicle's registration number, route, time of travel and amount paid, and submit the details to the commission for investigation.Daggy said operators who charge fares outside the approved rates could face penalties for non-compliance.The commission regulates maximum fares for licensed PMV routes and taxi services in designated centres, meaning operators cannot independently increase charges in response to changes in fuel prices.The outcome of the early review will determine whether transport operators receive some relief through approved fare adjustments, while ensuring commuters are protected from unjustified increases.Until the ICCC announces a formal decision, passengers and transport operators are expected to comply with the current gazetted fares.

Papua New Guinea’s fuel subsidy arrangements are undergoing a major shift as the National Government begins phasing out direct price support, driving pump prices for petrol, diesel, and kerosene up by K1.00 per litre. Effective October 8, 2026, the new retail price across Port Moresby service stations stands at K5.90 per litre, rising from the heavily subsidized K4.90 rate maintained in September.The Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) revealed that the State's K1 billion fuel relief package has been fully utilized, forcing a revised strategy to balance public cushion measures with other critical national spending commitments.Under the newly restructured arrangement—guided by the Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act 2026 and NEC Decision No. 225/2026—the Government has extended the 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemption on fuel until December 31, 2026. However, the direct cash subsidy component paid to fuel importers will be progressively phased out over the next two months.ICCC Commissioner Roy Daggy explained that the state can no longer absorb the full discrepancy between volatile international oil prices and domestic retail rates because the Government must balance fuel assistance with other pressing needs, including disaster relief, health and education.The commission says international oil prices remain elevated amid continuing geopolitical tensions, leaving Papua New Guinea exposed to external market movements.The changes are expected to keep fuel pricing and the sustainability of government support under public scrutiny as the country approaches the end of the year."Decisions on fuel assistance beyond the current arrangement will depend on the Government's subsequent policy and budget considerations".

The Force Support Battalion (FSB) based in Port Moresby city will host the next Commander’s Cup, with the FSB Tigers set to take on the responsibility of staging the prestigious military rugby tournament.The announcement follows the successful conclusion of this year’s competition, which saw the 1134 Igam Crocs retain the Commander’s Cup after defeating the FSB Tigers in the grand final match on Monday 5th October at the Murray Barracks, Port Moresby.For FSB, the hosting role provides an opportunity to build on the strong showing of its representative team and bring the tournament to its home environment for the next edition.The FSB Tigers’ appearance in the grand final demonstrated the battalion’s growing strength in the competition, despite falling short against the defending champions.The next tournament will therefore shift the focus to Force Support Battalion, which will be responsible for delivering the competition and welcoming participating teams.The Commander’s Cup was last contested in 2023, before returning this year, with the competition continuing to provide an important platform for sporting competition, camaraderie and engagement across the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.The hosting announcement also gives the FSB Tigers an opportunity to regroup following their grand-final defeat and prepare for another challenge when the Commander’s Cup returns.

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force is looking at opportunities for its rugby players to compete against defence forces from across the Pacific, according to Commander of the Defence Force (CDF) Rear Admiral Philip Polewara.Rear Admiral Polewara said the Defence Force was considering participation in both 15-a-side and sevens rugby competitions as it looks beyond the domestic Commander's Cup.He said there was an existing competition led by Australia that brings defence forces from Pacific countries together, providing an opportunity for military players to test themselves against international opposition.The move would give PNG Defence players exposure beyond the domestic competition and create another pathway for players developing through Defence rugby.Rear Admiral Polewara said the Commander's Cup was also important in developing players from units that do not regularly compete in city competitions.The tournament has brought together teams from different parts of the Defence Force, allowing players to gain experience against teams with different levels of exposure and preparation.The Commander also reflected on PNG's history of producing rugby league talent, recalling former players including David Tiki, Martin Taumu and Robin Tarere, whom he played alongside.Some of their sons have now followed their fathers into the Commander's Cup.But Rear Admiral Polewara said the current generation was playing in a different era, with the intensity and demands of the game having increased.He said the challenge now was to build on the talent and fitness being displayed in defence competitions and create opportunities for players to progress.Participation in Pacific Defence competitions would provide another test for those players while strengthening sporting links between defence forces in the region.For Rear Admiral Polewara, the development of 15-a-side and sevens teams, is part of a broader effort to give Defence players more opportunities to compete and develop beyond the Commander's Cup.

The 1134 Igam Crocs have retained the PNG Defence Force Commander's Cup after defeating the Force Support Battalion (FSB) Tigers in the grand final yesterday in Port Moresby city, bringing the coveted trophy back to Igam Barracks, Lae city.The Commander's Cup was last contested in 2023, making this year's return to competition significant for the participating Defence units.The Igam Crocs entered the tournament as the previous champions and successfully defended their title, earning the right to take the cup back to Igam Barracks.Commander of the Defence Force Rear Admiral Philip Polewara said retaining the cup was no easy achievement, highlighting the preparation, fitness and work that takes place behind the scenes before teams take the field.He said the tournament had demonstrated strong fitness, skills and intensity, with teams from different Defence units bringing varying levels of competition experience to the tournament.National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop was present for the grand final between FSB Tigers and 1134 Igam Crocs, adding prominence to the closing match.Rear Admiral Polewara described this year's tournament as bigger and better, saying he was impressed by the turnout, organisation and intensity displayed throughout more than a week of competition.He also highlighted the benefit of bringing together units that do not regularly participate in city competitions.Players from NCD had given their time to work with some of the teams, helping improve their skills and preparing them to compete against units with greater exposure to regular competition.For Igam Crocs, however, the immediate reward was another Commander's Cup title.The victory means the trophy will return to Igam Barracks, while the other Defence units will now have to wait for the next opportunity to challenge the champions.

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force says the Commander's Cup is more than a sporting competition, with the tournament providing a platform to strengthen military cohesion, promote healthy lifestyles and build stronger links between the Defence Force and communities.Speaking on behalf of PNGDF Commander Rear Admiral Philip Polewara, Commercial Support Programme and Tournament Director Colonel Thomas Melua said sport has long been part of the Defence Force, helping soldiers develop physical fitness, discipline, resilience and camaraderie.Colonel Melua said the Commander's Cup builds on that tradition by bringing servicemen and women together while also engaging youths and communities.“The Commander's Cup embodies these values. As the only national military sporting event of its kind in PNG, the tournament is more than a competition. It is a platform for nation building, cultural integration and international representation.”He said the tournament also supports the development of a healthy and active society by promoting fitness and encouraging young people to embrace teamwork, discipline and healthy living.For PNGDF personnel, Melua said participation in the competition can also contribute to military preparedness by improving fitness, resilience and injury prevention, while strengthening trust and morale among team members.He said the tournament provides soldiers with opportunities to develop leadership skills through roles as coaches, mentors and captains.The Commander's Cup is also being used to promote cultural integration within the Defence Force, with rugby providing a common platform for soldiers from different regions and cultural backgrounds.“In a country rich in tribal diversity, rugby provides a common ground where soldiers unite under shared military values, transcending regional and cultural differences.”Melua said the tournament also creates opportunities for selected PNGDF players to compete against the Australian Defence Force and other Pacific partners.He said these sporting engagements help strengthen relationships between defence personnel across the region, extending cooperation beyond sport into broader defence relationships and mutual understanding.The tournament also provides a pathway for PNGDF athletes to represent Papua New Guinea at international military competitions.Melua said the Defence Force has a long history of producing athletes who have represented the country internationally, and the Commander's Cup will continue to provide opportunities for the next generation.He said the tournament ultimately demonstrates the PNGDF's role as an institution that can work alongside communities in supporting national development.The Commander's Cup has now progressed to the semi-final stage, with teams competing for a place in the grand final.