Under the leadership of Sir Puka Temu, the Opposition that now stands with 35 members has come up with the Alternate Government’s Policy Plan on rescuing PNG. He said, most members of parliament have moved to join the Opposition because of the current leadership of Government and said that it is going into the wrong direction. And tasked as the Alternate Government they have come up with the rescue plan on what they intend to do when they take over the government in the coming days. “We have taken an exhaustive review of past and current policies. Current structures that we have through the constitution, the organic law and the enabling laws plus the institutional arrangements that we have. And we believe that we have enough experience to stop making the wrong choices, stop designing the wrong policies, stop bringing wrong laws to the parliament and stop making wrong decisions on how to structure the governances of the country.” “We are off the strong opinion that the country needs a hard reset going forward. This policy will have to be the foundations for the countries next fifty (50) years of development and have had the pleasure of having the fifty (50) years of development experience, and as I say, this policy is carved with that background”, said Sir Temu. The team has come up with fourteen headings that are concentrated on are as follows: 1. Restoring Fiscal Discipline • Cut spending to reduce the budget deficit • Eradicate waste and prevent cost overruns • Stop unlawful transfers and abuse of appropriations • Review all contracts and office leases to curb inflation processes • Halt projects that offer no economic returns or socio-economic justification • Eliminate functional duplications and overlaps in the public service. “Every time the budget is passed through this government to maintain the integrity of the law called the National Budget that has out from this government has been thrown out. And this will be our number one priority. We have to learn to live within our means.” 2. Reducing the Alarming Public Debt Situation • Reducing our debt -to-GDP ratio 35% by 2029 by amending the Fiscal Responsibility Act • Halting the reckless printing of money • Banning of all further borrowings by SOEs • Ceasing off-budget borrowings • Ending State guarantees to SOEs and contractors • Lowering the Kina D+Facility Rate (KFR) and • Slashing government spending and national deficit. “The rate at which this government has been borrowing is unprecedented. So we have to make sure that we make a conscious decision to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to the original 35%.” 3. Addressing the Foreign Currency Shortage • Mobilize foreign earnings from our key exports and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) • Permit foreign currency accounts to be operated by key exporters and SOEs • Restructure import content to prioritize essentials over non-essentials • Overhaul and reform foreign exchange regime and policy • Develop a robust Foreign Exchange Risk Management Strategy • Ensure the delivery of critical economic projects, including Papua LNG, Wafi-Golpu Gold, P’nyang LNG, and Pasca Oil, within 12 months • Attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through targeted tax incentives and the reduction of unnecessary regulation and red tape. 4. Reducing the Cost of Living - Providing Relief to Our People • Reducing domestic borrowings • Ending the reckless printing of money (quantitative easing) • Reducing GST, corporate, and personal taxes • Re-establishing the Consumer Protection Commission (price controller) • Reducing interest rates (KFR) • Re-introducing the free education policy from primary to secondary school • Providing debt relief for students • Ensuring free basic medicine at all hospitals. 5. Stimulating Economic Growth, Job, and Income Creation • Introducing fiscal incentives for FDI in the renewable sector and downstream processing industries • Eliminating unnecessary red tape and regulations • Realigning the development budget to fund key strategic and economic enablers • Redirecting foreign aid to fund nation-building infrastructure • Reviewing the “Reserved Business list” • Establishing growth centres or smart cities under the SEZ Act • Adopting a comprehensive National Content Policy • Establishing market and transport facilities for SMEs and rural growers, including purchasing barges for maritime provinces • Reviewing the reserved list of occupations for indigenous citizens • Investing in labour-intensive transport infrastructure • Establishing an Affordable Housing Development Program • Reducing regulatory barriers to employment and skills training • Re-establishing the Price Stabilization Fund • Establishing a National Youth Scheme • Creating a National Land Asset Inventory by Law to secure customary and undocumented land through survey and title registration. 6. Revitalizing Agriculture – A Cornerstone for National Prosperity • Significant investment in agricultural infrastructure and technology to enhance productivity. • Comprehensive training programs to equip farmers with modern farming techniques • Job creation through the development of agricultural cooperatives and enterprises • Improving road networks and transportation systems to ensure better access to markets • Expanding export opportunities for agricultural products through targeted policies and international trade agreements; and • Promoting sustainable farming practices to ensure long-term viability and environmental protection. 7. Enhancing Health Care – More Doctors, Nurses, and Global Standards The health of our nation is paramount, and the Alternate Government is committed to elevating our healthcare system to global standards. We will focus on: • Recruiting and training more doctors and nurses to meet the growing demands of our population • Expanding education placements for medical professionals, ensuring they receive worldclass training • Upgrading healthcare facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure • Improving working conditions for healthcare workers to retain talent within the country • Implementing long-term strategies to ensure continuous professional development and skill enhancement for medical staff; and • Collaborating with international health organizations to bring best practices and innovative solutions to our healthcare system. 8. Strengthening Law, Order, and Respect for Law • Guaranteed funding for Law Enforcement Agencies • A One Strike Policy with severe penalties, including dismissal A Rotational Policy (4 years) • Community Policing, Neighborhood, and Foot Patrols • The Establishment of an Independent Disciplinary and Promotion Board for all Law Enforcement Agencies, including the Judiciary and Ombudsman Commission; f) Direct recruitment from schools, colleges, and universities • Mandatory tertiary qualifications for Prosecutors, Criminal Investigators, and Social Workers • 12 Months of compulsory training, including physical fitness assessments • Mandatory surrender of all illegal firearms • Heavier penalties for serious crime • Enactment of a Domestic Terrorism Act to curb tribal fights, illicit drug trafficking, and the illegal gun trade • The formulation of a Compensation Act to ban all forms of compensation • The introduction of compulsory Bible Studies from primary to secondary school • The compulsory study of the National Constitution in the school system • Compulsory National Identification Card for every man, woman, and child • Strengthened Migration Laws • The Modernization of Police Stations to bring our law enforcement infrastructure up to global standards • The recruitment and training of additional police officers to ensure sufficient coverage and effective law enforcement across the country • The introduction of a National Youth Cadet Scheme. 9.Removing Impediments (Red Tape) • Establishing a One-Stop-Shop for Visa, Work Permit, and Business registration • Creating a single payment system and portal • Enacting the Foreign Investment Review Board Act • Introducing e-government or digital government for the entire public service system • Reviewing all regulatory processes • Streamlining procurement processes, ensuring greater accountability and transparency • Streamlining the Physical Planning Approval process • Overhauling the Building Board Approval processes • Liberalising Banking Services to relax AML and CFT guidelines • Establishing a Land Unit Trust for underdeveloped Lands (UDLs) • Streamlining the IPA registration processes 10. Removing Inefficiencies in the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) • The partial privatisation of SOEs such as PNG Power, Water PNG, Telikom, Air Niugini, and the National Development Bank (51/49 shareholding) within a 2-year timeframe • Strengthening Accountability and Governance structures for KPHL, KMHL, MVIL, • MRDC, Ok Tedi Mine, and others • Abolishing KCHL and replacing it with a Trustee • Outsourcing the Management of key assets such as Seaports and Airports; and • Establishing a State Dividend Policy and Act of Parliament. 11. Strengthening Accountability and Efficiency in the Public Service These measures include: • Mandatory Annual Financial Performance Reports from all Section 32 Officers, Heads of Statutory Agencies, and CEOs of SOEs • Severe penalties for non-compliance, abuse, or mismanagement, including criminal prosecution, dismissal, and a lifetime ban from holding public office • A Single Integrated payment system • Eliminating duplication, overlaps, and merging functions • Streamlining procurement processes and enforcing the PFMA and National Procurement Act • Utilising e-government or digital technology • Outsourcing certain functions, such as payroll, financial audits, HR, and office leases, to competent private sector firms • Enforcing Employment Contracts with clearly defined KPIs and provisions for automatic dismissal for non-performance • Implementing a Compulsory Public Service Probationary period of 2 years • Establishing Independent recruitment and appointment processes for Heads of Departments and Statutory Agencies • Reviewing the salaries of key frontline workers, inclusive of risk allowances • Designating PILAG as a special institution for upskilling and training new entries • Relocating the Prime Minister’s Office back to Manasupe House. 12. Strengthening and Empowering Provincial and Local Level Government (PLLG) and Accountability The Alternate Government will immediately undertake a number of policy actions, including: • Annual block budgets for PLLG (inclusive of national functions and PIP) • Restoring NCDC’s Financial Powers • Allowing Provincial Executive Councils to appoint Provincial Administrators • Transferring treasury and finance functions to PLLGs • Appointing DDA CEOs and Finance Officers by DDA Boards • Abolishing Special Purposes Authorities (SPA), with their functions transferred to LLGs • Removing Presidents from DDA Boards • Abolishing Provincial Hospital Authorities and transferring powers to Provincial • Administrations • Transferring PTB to PLLG and DDA • Transferring responsibility for Provincial Radio Stations, Lands, Physical Planning, • Housing, Village Courts, and Land Mediation to PLLGs • Delegating appointment and termination decision-making to PLLGs; and • Redefining the roles and responsibilities of various levels of government. 13. Reforming Electoral and Political Systems • Implementing a Biometric Voting System • Appointing three Electoral Commissioners, inclusive of the Chief Electoral Commissioner • Registering all eligible voters (common roll) 12 months before the General Election • Limiting the discretionary powers of the Commissioners • Criminalising any tampering and abuse by Electoral Officers • Introducing a Mandatory Vote of No Confidence after 2.5 years • Allowing the Speaker to appoint Parliamentary Committees • Mandating the resignation of Members who leave Political Parties after the General Election • Ensuring that the Chairmen of Permanent Parliamentary Committees are remunerated the same as Vice Ministers • Allocating an additional 5 staff, including two technical advisors, to the Office of Open Members • Determining the political future of Bougainville in line with Constitutional requirements within 12 months • Creating an Upper House (Senate) to enhance parliamentary checks and balances. 14. Institutional and Structural Reforms • Restoring the Independence of the Central Bank • Restructuring the National Insurance Commission and enhancing accountability and governance structures • Reviewing the ICCC to improve accountability • Redefining the role of the National Energy Authority • Restructuring the PNG Stock Exchange • Restructuring Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL) • Strengthening the accountability and governance of the National Development Bank • Realigning the National Securities Commission • Redefining and strengthening the role of the Ombudsman Commission • Restructuring the National Institute of Standards and Information Technology, including setting standards for all sectors; and • Establishing National Marketing Agencies to promote international market access for SMEs. “We simply cannot afford to ignore the far-reaching socio-economic consequences we face today. We must rescue our country now and rebuild it for the sake of our people and our future generations” “We assure you, our people, that we are ready to govern. We will not waste a moment because time is not on our side.”