APEC

Pauline Lee Hanson, an Australian politician and founder and leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party, in a video widely circulating on social media platforms, called for the withdrawal of Australian aid to PNG.

Hanson, whilst expressing her anger at the PNG Government's recent purchase of forty Maserati for APEC next month, described the current Government’s deals as ‘corrupt’.

Queensland Senator Pauline Hanson said she was ‘absolutely furious’ when she learnt that the PNG Government had bought 40 Maserati cars for the APEC leaders.

Queensland’s senator and Founder & Leader of Australia’s One Nation Party, Pauline Hanson, has gone viral on Facebook with her ‘Please Explain’ video.

In the video, which was uploaded on October 12^th and has over 7,000 shares to date, Hanson said if PNG can afford to buy high-end vehicles then it does not need Australia’s foreign aid.

The pricing of the Maserati Quattroporte sedans start from US$209,990 (K683,000), according to the car manufacturer.

The Italian model vehicles arrived in the country last weekend.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit leaders week is approximately a month away and the preparation is well underway to host the 21 economy leaders in Port Moresby.

However, numerous concerns have been raised with regard to the huge amount of funds spent by the Government on preparations alone.

It will also consider whether the country’s year as chair of APEC delivered the desired economic results in 2018 and beyond.  

The Report: Papua New Guinea 2019 will examine the government’s new fiscal policies, which are being formulated against a backdrop of rising commodity prices and will spearhead its bid to tackle the challenges the country faces, such as foreign currency shortages and high levels of public debt.

The academy is a one-stop school that will accommodate elementary to secondary school students in one campus.

Education Minister Nick Kuman was given a walk- through of the new facility today, by Moresby-South MP and APEC Minister Justin Tkatchenko.

The construction of the K70 million, new Butuka Shenzhen academy, commenced on August 20 last year.

The school is an aid agreement for high impact projects between the Shenzhen city in China and the National Capital District.

It was built over a 50, 582 square meters.

However, the next two months will see an increase in the presence of foreign troops in the country, who will be working in partnership with the PNG Defense Force and those in the joint inter-agency operation for APEC.

The next two months will see an increased presence of foreign troops in the country, leading up to the APEC leaders’ summit.

PNGDF’s Chief of Operations however says this is not new as some of the foreign military troops have been here in the past 4 years.

This shows that there is a critical need to provide opportunities for women and girls and ensure realistic policies are in place.

This was highlighted during the APEC Regional Visit to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to conclude the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy meeting.

The high level policy dialogue on women and economy was held under the theme: “Seizing the opportunity for women and girls to advance in the digital age” with 4 cascading priorities.

They are inviting all Christians in the country to join them, just like what they did for the Pacific Games in 2015.

“The churches realise the enormity of APEC and also welcome other church leaders who will be coming,” Pst. Michael Wilson, Body of Christ Deputy Chairman, said.

“The Body of Christ will be calling a 21-day fast and prayer for APEC that will start on 22 October to 12 November, calling on all Christians to rally behind them and pray for APEC.”

This year, the training has been modified to take into account the main leader’s week this November for APEC 2018.

Involving six vessels and various small crafts, this morning’s showcase was to highlight maritime capabilities harnessed during Exercise Paradise.

Chief of Force Preparations, Colonel Siale Diro says that the operations were in line with the supporting security role that the defense will play alongside the police for APEC.

Gold Sponsors of the APEC CEO Summit were told this last night in Port Moresby by the ABAC Chairman Wayne Golding.

The eight gold sponsors of the APEC CEO Summit were recognized in their effort to support the APEC Business Advisory Committee host the summit in Port Moresby.

SP Brewery, Digicel PNG, Jian Man Chin, Johnson&Johnson, The National, BSP and Rogrand are gold sponsors of the summit.

APEC minister Justin Tkatchenko said the gold sponsorships means a lot from the business houses in ensuring the event goes well.