The Defence Council, which consists Minister for Defence Dr. Billy Joseph as Chairman, Defence Secretary Hari John Akipe, and Acting Chief of Defence Force Commodore Philip Polewara, are reviewing the final draft of the Defence Bill 2024. Minister Joseph said the Defence Counil were presented with the final working draft of the Defence Bill 2024 yesterday (Thursday, June 27) from the legal team reviewing the Defence Act 1974 and Defence (Amendment) Act 2009. After thorough review, the Bill, which aims to modernize the PNG Defence Force and enhance national security, will proceed to the National Executive Council for Parliament’s endorsement…
Author: Joshua ARLO
This news just in! A unanimous decision this morning from the 5 men Supreme Court bench that Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa does have the legal standing to bring the motion of no confidence vote to Court. The decision handed down at 9:50am. More details on the 12pm news on Legend FM, Yumi FM and Nau FM or follow PNG HAUSBUNG for more on this story.
The Defence cooperation between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia has been elevated to another level with the announcement of 12 new armoured personal carriers (Land Cruisers) to be delivered in October this year to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF). Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph in a statement described these vehicles as a lighter version of the Bush Masters armoured vehicles used by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). They will be used by the PNGDF and Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) for internal security operations. The support was announced by Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister,…
A five men Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika will deliver their ruling today on whether the Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa has legal standing to bring the Supreme Court application relating to the Vote of No-Confidence motion. The Opposition Leader, along with Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomane, SineSine Yongumugl MP Kerenga Kua, and several other Opposition members including Alternate Prime Minister nominee Rainbo Paita were in court to hear the outcome of Thursday’s hearing. After the judges sat down, Greg Sheppard, senior counsel for Mr Tomuriesa, told the court that an objection to competency had been…
The country’s Opposition side has filed a Supreme Court application to question the CONNECT PNG program, a flagstone of the Marape government. Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa, who filed the case, said the Alternative Government seeks the high court’s interpretation over ‘certain issues’, specifically the laws relating to public spending, and about several millions of funds allocated to this program the last few years. “As the Leader of the Opposition, I have filed a Section 18 Supreme Court Reference seeking the Court’s interpretation over certain issues with the Connect PNG Program that the government is handling,” Mr. Tomuriesa explained. “We have…
A combined total of K37.5 million in financial aid has been contributed towards providing relief support for an estimated total of 155 villages in Western Province affected by severe floods along the Fly River. According to Western Governor Taboi Awi Yoto those affected involve around 20,000 people displaced by the flooding, and they immediately need fresh drinking water, food, temporary shelter, and medical assistance. The aid relief for the affected communities lie along the Fly River following a flood disaster that has caused major displacement of people in various districts of the province, include K10 million from the National Government,…
The National Executive Council has re-appointed Mr Jerry Garry for a second term as the Managing Director for the Mineral Resources Authority (MRA). On Thursday, June 20th, Mr Garry signed his new four-year contract of employment at the Government House at Konedobu in Port Moresby. Mr Garry first served in this capacity from 2019 to 2022. Since 2022 he has been serving as the Acting MD until his re-appointment early this year by NEC. Mr Garry said his re-appointment and the signing of his contract, paves the way for MRA to focus on its key priorities in the mining sector,…
The Buka Rugby Union’s Komuniti Rugby 7s and mini 7s circuit will take a break this weekend. This is according to Coordinator Kelly Havara, who said the tournament, which kicked off last weekend in Hangan village, will pause to allow teams to recoup and restock. The second leg of the tournament will resume next weekend, June 28-30, at Hangan village, home of former Pukpuks 7s captain Hubert Tseraha. Havara emphasized that this break is part of the eight-weekend schedule, aiming to make the tournament more inclusive as it visits selected constituencies in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. He said it…
On Wednesday, June 19th, 2024, the 30th Papua New Guinea-Australia Annual Ministerial Forum took place in Port Moresby. The forum focused on enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation through the Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP). Discussions covered pillars like strong democracies, regional partnerships, and strategic cooperation for security and stability. Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatcheno said important topics included bilateral security agreements, defense cooperation, economic growth initiatives, and Australia’s efforts to build strategic trust with Pacific Island countries. “Pillar 2 of the Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership is focused on strengthening ties with our neighbors and global partners.” “I acknowledge…
Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae has commended census officers throughout the country for doing their best in carrying out the census exercise in the 2024 National Population Census. The Census roll-out program started on Monday June 17th, and will end on June 30th. Sir Bob acknowledged that it is not an easy exercise considering the distances they have to walk for hours to reach villages in remote areas of the country to count people, such as for his own village in Kabwum district, Morobe province. He expressed his gratitude for census workers when he was counted at Government House…