Don Polye

They predicted that before the mid-year the nation would experience a deficit of over K1 billion. 

The Opposition is concerned that there is either no understanding of the actual situation or  the professional political negligence on the side of those in control. 

Polye believes that raising finance for meeting fixed commitments and priorities like health, education and infrastructure maintenance will be extremely difficult. 

“The local market has lost its appetite for Treasury Bills and Inscribed Stocks. 

In a press conference today Opposition leader Don Polye said under the Constitution, any decision to recalling of Parliament is a prerogative of the cabinet.

However, given the situation, Polye said the Speaker and Governor-General must discuss the option with the Prime Minister.

He said these are times the leaders need to think outside of the box in the best interest of the country.

Polye said he understood authorities had enforcement units within their departments but funding was a major hurdle.

And he has blamed the government for undermining their work by way of cuts in funds.

He said this when commenting on a media report, quoting fast-food shops breaching Food and Sanitation Act.

Polye said tougher penalties must be imposed on those caught.

He was appalled by the manner in which fast-food bars prepare food and the condition of kitchen facilities.

Polye described this as ‘inhuman and lacking corporate obligation.’  

Polye said this after ascertaining the PM, urging exporters to bring their off-shore funds to cushion the current shortage of foreign exchange.

He said he also understood there were plans afoot for the Prime Minister and his government to review the terms and conditions under the controversial Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) K3 billion loan agreement.

“Well-placed sources tell me that Mr O’Neill’s Public Enterprise Minister William Duma and, Petroleum and Energy Minister Ben Micah are working on this arrangement.

Polye said the day signified the country’s birth place where the Waitangi Treaty was signed to protect the interests of the indigenous people.

“On behalf of the people of PNG and our alternative government, it is my pleasure to join in the celebrations to mark the day today.

“New Zealand is not just our bilateral friend but is a strategic partner in our country’s development,” he said on NZ’s National Day.

Polye said both countries enjoyed a friendly, strong and growing relation, which saw each country benefitted in trade and business.

Opposition Leader Don Polye said the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his government’s move to cut the quota for tertiary student sponsorships and intakes speaks volumes of the country’s

economic situation.

“The government has increased the Grade Point Average (GPA) for students because they could not be able to afford the scholarships under AES and HECAS due to the economic problems,” said Polye.

He has likened this as a “work of another Robert Mugabe or Julius Caesar in PNG.”

Mr Polye has slammed the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for directing his government’s response through the District Development Authorities.

He said such direction had forced the DDAs to forgo priority infrastructures when the funds were mobilized for relief supplies or vice versa.

“Open MPs chair the boards and often appoint their political allies to dominate the boards.

“Researchers and other experts have described how some MPs direct relief efforts to their political supporters rather than according to the communal need,” said Polye.

Polye said despite the challenges confronting the Kingdom of Tonga at the initial stages in the preparation process in the lead up to the Games, Tonga will rise to the challenge and host a successful games.

Polye in a meeting with Prime Minister Pohiva of  Tonga, said Tonga needed  all the  support to make the 2019 Pacific Games a successful one.

Prime Minister Pohiva in his discussions, said Tonga needs at least $US 120 million dollars or  more than K361 million to host the Games.

Polye bestowed this phrase at a meeting with Pohiva in Port Moresby to discuss issues facing both countries.

He commended him for his leadership in addressing human issues in his country, forming a Pacific Island Nation block to discuss issues affecting the region and redrafting Tonga’s constitution to transform Tonga’s monarchy into a democracy where the people have a voice in their communities and nation. 

“On behalf of our people, let me congratulate Ing-wen for winning the presidency seat with 56.1 per cent of the vote.

“As a counterpart, we are impressed with the outstanding performance of her Democratic Progressive party which won 68 of the 113 seats compared to the Nationalist party’s 35 in the election,” Polye said.

He said the PNG Opposition will learn lessons from the landmark victory which Ing-wen, as an Opposition Leader, achieved in claiming the presidential seat.

He added that both countries shared similarities in democracy.