Prime Minister James Marape has strongly defended his government’s six-year tenure, asserting its focus has been on restoring Integrity, Accountability, and Self-Reliance across Papua New Guinea’s systems of governance, economy, and public service.
This response was aimed at criticisms from member for Ialibu-Pangia and former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
Prime Minister Marape stated that the Pangu-led Government remains focused on nation-building and good governance, despite the ‘noise and negativity’ from those who he claims, ‘failed our people.’
“I inherited a nation on the brink of financial collapse, buried in unsustainable debt and plagued by corruption.”
“We have spent the last six years cleaning up the mess, reforming our systems, and restoring the foundation for sustainable growth and national pride.”
The Prime Minister reaffirmed his government's commitment to the Constitution and Parliamentary democracy, emphasizing that Parliament belongs to the people, not political elites.
• Parliamentary Process: Marape insisted that decisions regarding Motions of No Confidence by the Speaker and the Private Business Committee are lawful and consistent with Parliament's Standing Orders and the amended Section 145, which protects political stability for service delivery.
• Institutional Independence: He stressed that his administration has restored independence to public institutions that were allegedly weakened by political influence during the previous O’Neill Administration. The Ombudsman Commission, ICAC, and Police now operate free from Political direction.
• Anti-Corruption Milestone: The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has been fully established and is operational under his government, which he called a milestone in the fight against corruption. He said those who fear ICAC are those who have things to hide.
Prime Minister Marape rejected claims of economic decline, noting that PNG’s economy has grown steadily since 2019 despite global shocks.
• Debt Management: He stated that debt levels are transparent, sustainable, and responsibly managed under the Medium-Term Fiscal Strategy, with every Kina borrowed invested in productive areas like roads, education, health, and agriculture- ‘not corruption or vanity projects.’
• ‘Take Back PNG’ Vision & Diversification: Under this vision, the economy is being diversified:
o Non-Resource Sector growth has averaged 3-4% annually.
o The Kina value has stabilized, with a gradual recovery in export sectors.
o Focus is on empowering citizens through Agriculture, SME, and local industry to build resilience.
The Prime Minister defended his government’s approach to major resource projects, arguing that renegotiations were essential to secure greater national equity and long-term benefits.
• Improved Fiscal Terms: “We did not delay Projects; we renegotiated them to ensure Papua New Guineans get a fairer share of their resources.”
• Key Project Achievements:
o Papua LNG Project is set for Final Investment Decision (FID) in 2025 under improved terms.
o Wafi-Golpu and Porgera renegotiations have increased State equity, royalties, and landowner benefits.
o Ok Tedi Mining Ltd and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited are now profitable, debt-free, and contributing record dividends.
Prime Minister Marape acknowledged ongoing service challenges but highlighted major investments across key sectors:
• Education: The Free Education Policy has been revived with K800 million annual funding.
• Health: Hospitals are being upgraded under the National Health Plan (2021–2030), and specialised facilities like Heart, Kidney, and Cancer operations are being established at Port Moresby General Hospital.
• Infrastructure: Over K10 billion in investments have been rolled out under the Connect PNG Program to link rural communities and markets.
• Law and Order: Record funding is allocated for Police, Defence, and Judiciary, including K1 billion allocated annually to Police and Internal Security. Reforms are underway to double Police numbers to 10,000 by 2030.
He concluded by affirming that his administration’s record of open budgeting and fiscal reform is a model of accountability.
He dismissed attempts to undermine the government as politically motivated distractions.
He reaffirmed that PNG is on the path of stability, economic sovereignty, and institutional integrity.
“Our focus remains clear, after celebrating our country’s 50th Independence Anniversary this year, we aim to continue to grow our economy and that we become a developed nation by 2045.”
