Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) urges the Prime Minister to take real action against corruption and to drive forward the reforms that are required to strengthen governance and accountability in Papua New Guinea. “The time for talk is over. Papua New Guinea’s poor ranking in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) should be a major worry for the PM as it reflects a widespread level of corruption in the public sector and taking serious action to address this should be his immediate priority,” said TIPNG Chair, Mr. Peter Aitsi. TIPNG calls on the PM for the following actions: Sack Non-Performers: The Prime Minister must sack people who are not-performing, this includes Ministers, Department Secretaries, Commissioners, and CEOs. It is time to send a clear message that incompetence, negligence and non-performance will no longer be tolerated. Seek out persons who are capable, experienced and qualified and recruit them under a merit-based system with a focus on individuals who have demonstrated high degrees of integrity in their past roles. Press forward with the Electoral Reforms: Be the Champion for the Parliamentary Committee Report Chaired by ESP Governor Allan Bird on Election Reform. Lead the presentation of report to Parliament and focus parliament on agreeing and prioritizing the changes needed in order to safeguard the integrity of the 2027 National Elections, in the short remaining time. Given that PNG is now 18 months away from the 2027 National Elections, TIPNG calls for a specific focus on the 3 key areas: (a) Restore Governance in the Electoral Commission: Appointment of additional commissioners, at least 3, who are qualified, experienced and independent of politics. (b) Commit to transparency: Publish the current Common Roll online and establish a process for citizens to check and if required re-register themselves. (c) Early and consistent release of funding for the PNG Electoral Commission to support their operations and preparation. If required, appoint an external accounting firm to manage on behalf of the Electoral Commission. Full Implementation of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations: The government needs to take immediate action to implement the Financial Action Task Force (FAFT) recommendations. This is crucial for Papua New Guinea to come out of the grey listing. Enhance public accountability through the enactment of a Right to Information Law and the establishment of robust oversight mechanisms. Strengthening Integrity Institutions: The government must strengthen and fully resource integrity institutions, including giving full authority and mandate to the National Anticorruption Agencies. Furthermore, the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Task Force must convene regularly to ensure progress on critical anti-corruption initiatives. “Addressing corruption is fundamental if we are to see continued economic growth and attract foreign direct investment. We acknowledge the Prime Minister’s focus on transforming key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and fisheries, but these efforts will be wasted if we fail to acknowledge that corruption is the impediment to realizing the full potential of these sectors,” added the TIPNG Chair. Mr. Aitsi said TIPNG stands ready to work collaboratively with the government and all stakeholders to advance these critical reforms. The time for action is now.