Ian Ling-Stuckey

Shadow Minister calls for independent audit

Ian Ling-Stuckey says there are very serious doubts about whether the people of PNG are being told the truth.

His statement follows an overview of the PNG economy by the National Statistical Office.

The NSO reported on its website that the oil sector led to a growth in the economy of K859 million in 2016.

However, in the same paragraph, it said the oil sector fell by K314 million.

PNG faces revenue shortfall: Shadow Minister

In a statement, Shadow Minister for Treasury and Finance, Ian Ling-Stuckey, said: “Based on the latest IMF oil price projections and using the figures in the 2019 Budget, PNG is facing a 2019 revenue shortfall of at least K638 million.

Shadow Minister welcomes World Bank report

Shadow Minister for Treasury and Finance, Ian Ling-Stuckey, said: “It is positive that international organisations, even those where governments control the Board of Directors, can bring in technical expertise and more independent commentary.

“There is much wisdom in the report, especially in terms of stimulating private sector development through competition rather than backing government besties and cronies, as well as a good focus on getting agriculture growing again.

Govt blamed for failing non-resource tax target

His response follows the Internal Revenue Commission’s (IRC) announcement of successfully collecting K8 billion in tax revenue for 2018.

“However, after excluding a large and unexpected mining and petroleum tax bonanza of nearly K700 million, all other IRC collections are K500 million less than the government wanted in 2018. This is part of the fake revenue that I identified in my budget response.

Government forcing up prices in 2019: Opposition

Shadow Minister for Treasury and Finance, Ian Ling-Stuckey, says over 70 new tax increases have been imposed from 1 January 2019.

“This includes a 15 percent tax increase for wheat flour used for making basic items such as bread – lifting the tariff level to a massive one-quarter of imported costs. You can get around this tariff increase, but only if you buy a bag of flour that weighs over 50 kilograms. This is economic lunacy!

Near empty medicine cabinets

The Kavieng MP and shadow Treasurer, Ian Ling-Stuckey, reconfirmed reports by health workers on ground that vital drugs are not available.

Ling-Stuckey visited the Puas Sub-Health Centre in the Lavongai LLG, where he asked the sister in charge and her able second in charge whether they had any antibiotics.

“No sir, they all ran out two months ago and we don’t expect any more supplies until March 2019,” he was told.

“I also asked whether they have any anti-malaria tablets. ‘We have one and a half week’s supply then we run out completely’.

Shadow Minister impressed with Aust system

This was in helping ensure that their parliamentary expenses are ethical and fully accountable.

In his capacity as a Member of the Papua New Guinea Salaries Remuneration Commission (SRC), Ian Ling-Stuckey met with key organisations in Canberra, Australia, involved in making payments to their Parliamentarians.

“The rigour and transparency in determining parliamentary pay was also impressive. With such systems in place in PNG, I do wonder if we may be able to provide better, more ethical, and more accountable government,” he stated.

Doubts about closing of govt accounts

Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer, Charles Abel, recently said the Government remains committed to closing the 2018 accounts in a disciplined manner to ensure they start on a clean state.

In response, Shadow Minister for Treasury & Finance, Ian Ling-Stuckey, said Treasurer Abel needs to ensure that the government actually pays all its bills.

Opposition disagrees with ‘economic backbone’ statement

At the recent PNG Mining and Petroleum Investment conference in Sydney, there were claims that mining was the backbone of the PNG economy. However, I must disagree with the way we present our economy to the outside world, including international investors.

“For there is no doubt that the real economic backbone of our country is our agriculture sector,” stressed Ling-Stuckey.

New direction needed in health sector: Doctor

“In the year APEC 2018, whilst schools were running low on resources, the government kept saying it was taking control of the situations, and yet, schools continued to face problems,” said Dr James Naipao in a statement.

“When polio that was declared free suddenly emerges with 25 confirmed cases, tuberculosis drug resistance disease hitting the country, and health facilities facing shortage of drugs and consumable, and yet, the Health Department and the Health Minister come out in the media to cushion the real situation on the ground by saying everything is okay.