Impacts

Transparency International PNG’s (TIPNG) Domestic Election Observation Report 2022 stated that causes of violence included citizens’ dissatisfaction on their ability to vote.

The media also reported an estimated 50-200 people died through election related violence in the country.

A notable incident was the shooting allegedly by security personnel of a woman trying to vote in NCD.

TIPNG says the persistent level of violence calls into question the state’s strategy relating to election security.

Despite this, Pacific businesses continue to adapt; an increasing number have scaled back operations, with fully operational female-led businesses decreasing to 23 per cent (down from 29 percent during Survey 4 of the PTI Pacific Business Monitor), and partially operational businesses increasing from 29 per cent to 41 per cent.

Commenting on the Survey 5 findings, PTI Australia Trade & Investment Commissioner Caleb Jarvis noted that the pandemic is biting hard for all businesses – particularly those led by women.

The survey was aimed at assessing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the industry.

Overall, the tourism industry contributes over K0.5 billion to the nation’s economy every year.

The survey found it will report far short of that this year.

A total of 44 respondents including hotels, tour operators, guest house owners, industry associations, airlines, product owners, and parks participated in the survey, which revealed massive losses they suffered in key areas of their businesses.