An expert in constitutional law has stated that people wanting to make themselves wealthy through the state could be able to do so if they get control of the state.
This observation statement was made by Mr. Anthony Regan, a Constitutional Lawyer attached to the Australian National University (ANU), specializing in constitutional development and conflict resolution.
According to Mr. Regan, some people see it difficult to get wealthy unless through the state. He said that in some cases entrepreneurs made big themselves through hard work, but a lot of people think that the best way to get rich is through the state and getting hold of bits of the state.
“People try everything possible to get into power and then to avoid scrutiny once they’re in power,” Regen stated.
Mr. Regan said that there are a number of reasons that contribute to the deterioration of Good Governance and Integrity in the political system of the country, and the underlying issue that stands at the moment is Political Economy.
“Political Economy is really about how does politics follow money; money determines how politics works. There were forks along the road, where getting control of bits of the state became very important,” Regan said.
This in turn gave politicians greater reach into the public pocket, as now they would be in control of the development funds of the districts or provinces as they would be directly responsible for them.
Regan made these statements based on his experience studying in PNG, while speaking at the last panel session during day 2 of the 2nd National Integrity Summit held in Port Moresby this week.