Peter O’Neill

PNG needs to diversify economic base: PM

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said this following a series of high level meetings with government officials in the State of Qatar, from which he anticipates will come greater technical cooperation and investment from a country that has transitioned into the LNG market.

“We have been talking about diversifying our economy to maximise gains for some time, and now is the time to act so we can build our key sectors into the future,” the Prime Minister said at the meetings in Doha.

PM does not set his salary conditions

Jondi made this statement today following recent media reports outlining the salary ranges of all the Ministers and Members of Parliament (MP) of which the Prime Minister tops the list.

The COS stressed that all pay for leaders are set by the Salaries and Remunerations Committee of which the Opposition Leader is a member. It is a bipartisan Committee.

“PM O’Neill does not set his salary conditions.

O’Neill explores opportunities with Qatar

Taking part in a two-day Official Visit to the State of Qatar, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Qatar, the Prime Minister said now is the time to work with more partners in the global community to strengthen key sectors of the economy.

Meeting with Qatar’s Minister of Economy and Commerce, Ahmed Bin Jassim Bin Mohammed Al-Thani, in Doha last night, the Prime Minister said there are several opportunities that the two countries will pursue in the coming months.

PM to fix books in contempt applications

The applications briefly came before the Supreme Court today and were adjourned to the end of the month.

The application seeking contempt charges were against Sir Mekere Morauta, Patrick Pruaitch, Kerenga Kua, Belden Namah and Bryan Kramer.

It was filed in the two joint appeals that is challenging the National Court’s decision of August 8, which found that the court cannot judicially review the arrest warrant that was issued against the Prime Minister in 2014.

The joint appeals have been heard with a decision pending from a three-man Supreme Court bench.

O’Neill officially invites leaders to summit

O'Neill met with all the leaders today, including United States President Donald Trump.

He met with them for the first full meeting of the 2017 APEC Summit in Da Nang city, Vietnam.

This is the second time Vietnam has hosted the APEC Summit. It previously hosted the Summit in 2006.

Papua New Guinea will be hosting the Summit in 2018 followed by Malaysia in 2020.

APEC brings together 21 economies from the Pacific region – the equivalent of about 60 percent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP).

PNG APEC ready: O’Neill

When addressing world leaders on Friday in Da Nang city, Vietnam, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says PNG is prepared, with assistance from neighbouring countries like Australia.

He says it will be an honour for PNG to host the international meet since becoming a member of APEC countries in 1993.

In front of over 4,000 journalists and delegates during the APEC Vietnam Summit, O’Neill states PNG is one of the countries in the Pacific that has the largest economy in the region.

He urges leaders to support emerging economies like PNG and the other developing countries.

Mining & Petroleum Conference set

He’s address during the opening will focus on PNG’s economy in a global context.

In a statement the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum says the conference is set for November 28th to the 30th in Port Moresby at the Stanley Hotel and Suites.

The Chamber says interest for the biennial event is steadily increasing with a total of 600 delegates, both international and local, expected to attend.

A trade exhibition showcasing nearly 40 different companies, and institutions will be running parallel to the main conference.

PM cautions ‘ringleaders’ of Manus demonstration

“The Manus Centre was established for the sole reason of processing asylum claims, now all claims have been processed and the centre has closed,” PM O’Neill said.

“The centre will not be reopened and it will be returned to its former function as a Defence Force facility.

“Given the Supreme Court’s decision, the Government has no choice but to intervene for the wellbeing of both the refugees and non-refugees.

O’Neill: APEC policy agenda to boost growth in key sectors

On his arrival, O'Neill highlighted the importance of the APEC policy agenda that will help boost growth in key sectors of the Papua New Guinea economy.

“APEC is an important forum for growth and development in our region, and in the coming year will be even more important for Papua New Guinea when we host Leaders from around the region.

“The whole focus of the APEC Leaders' Week is to strengthen our capacity to trade and to grow our economies.

“Through APEC we have the opportunity to generate more business, and that in turn creates more jobs.

2018 budget to focus on economic goals

“The budget will be framed to spare goals in the economy and it will not be overly dependent on the resource sector but more focused on agriculture and other sectors,” said Prime Minister O’Neill.

He added a tough stance will be taken on some industries, like forestry and fisheries, to address some of the misuse and abuses that have been going on.

“That is a lot of work that is being done and going before cabinet to try and protect our interest, our people’s interest in these sectors.”

He said they are trying to correct past abuses.