Deputy Prime Minister

Review approach to PNG

Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel, said this at the Lowy Institute in Sydney Australia, during his weeklong visit to the country.

During his visit Abel had several engagements which included visiting Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Medical Ship Annual Breakfast by the Bay Fundraiser in Queensland, addressing the Australia –PNG Business Council, and holding high level meetings in Canberra.

Speaking at the Lowy Institute, Charles Abel, called on PPNGs traditional partners to review their current relationship with.

Govt owes companies over K290m

This was revealed to Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel, during a meeting with the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (POMCCI).

The POMCCI presented to the Government the long list of outstanding debts owed to its 16 members, from over 320 current members.

Abel, along with Internal Revenue Commission Commissioner, Betty Palaso, and Deputy Commissioner Dr Alois Daton, met with POMCCI President, Rio Fiocco, CEO Dave Conn and CPL Managing Director, Mahesh Patel.

ITC review update

Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel, said the review will be held after the National Planning Consultative Summit in Lae.

He said the aim of the review will be identify loopholes in the implementation of the ITC schemes.

A review of the ITC is one of the recommendations in the PNG Extractive Industry Transparency initiative (EITI) 201 Report.

Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, announced the temporary stop to the ITC early this year.

Justify your existence, public servants told

This was the challenge issued by Deputy Prime Minister, Charles Abel, during the public service dedication service yesterday.

Promoting honesty and faithfulness in public service was the theme for the mass, which was hosted by the Department for Community Development, Youth and Religion at the Sir John Guise indoor complex.

Abel highlighted mostly challenges the public servants will have to put up with in regards to major events that the country will be hosting, like the 2018 APEC Leaders’ Summit.

Tariffs not revenue generating measure: Abel

Responding to the Opposition’s media statement early this week, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer, Charles Abel, says he believes the tariffs introduced will not have a huge impact on prices, while the long term goal is boost the local industry.

In statement released on Monday, the Shadow Treasury and Finance Minister, Ian Ling-Stuckey, said PNG families will be facing much higher prices in 2018 because of poor Government policies.

Crackdown on public service

Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel says it is about investing in the right areas of the public service such as teachers, nurses and police.

“We want to support those and we want to trim down central agencies of government to make us more efficient,” he states.

“Those people who are in the public service need to have contracts and conditions, time management and NID cards, so that they turn up to work as a real human being and they get paid, they are clocking in and they are earning their pay and they are producing results,” says Abel.

Business operators without TIN will be penalised: Abel

Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel says: “They keep the cash out of the system, not using bank accounts, don’t have tax file numbers and all of that.”

The Government will now be introducing the “tax administration law”, where commercial banks will be giving the government information on all bank accounts that are operating like businesses.

“We have a range of measures that will bolster the system.

Abel launches 100 Day plan

The plan will basically try to get revenue into the Government coffers before a 2018 Budget proper is announced.

Treasurer Abel said the 100-day plan has the primary goals of demonstrating government pro-activity in ensuring sound macroeconomic and fiscal management, restoring confidence, generating investments and moving towards greater economic self-reliance.

He said while the medium term outlook is positive, the Government is determined to undertake immediate interventions after consultations with Government agencies, Development partners and the business community.