Ian Ling-Stuckey

Shadow Minister and Kavieng MP, Ian Ling-Stuckey, said audited accounts for SOEs and Statutory Authorities, for the 2017 financial year, were not tabled in Parliament by June.

“This was Point 19 of the plan – and becomes yet another broken promise. The Alternative Government would fulfil this promise as it is vital for helping to re-build confidence in the PNG economy,” said the Shadow Treasurer, Ling-Stuckey.

Opposition Member and Kavieng MP, Ian Ling-Stuckey, told Parliament last week that the Act attracted public criticism since it came into operation in April 2018.

Ling-Stuckey, who is also the Shadow Minister for Treasury & Finance, said the PMMR Act received much opposition from affected state entities, including the National Fisheries Authority, PNG Forest Authority, the PNG Chamber of Mines and most recently, the National Information & Communications Technology Authority.

Shadow Minister for Treasury & Finance, Ian Ling-Stuckey, says this is only the fourth time in the last two decades that PNG has been put on this negative watch, meaning there is an increased chance of a credit ratings downgrade.

“PNG’s credit rating at B2 was already five grades down from investor ‘prime’ status,” stated the shadow minister in a statement.

Micah's petition was dismissed in the National Court for being incompetent because it was filed one day late and outside the 40-day period.

Ian Ling-Stuckey was declared MP on 20 July 2017. The 40-day filing period ended on 29 August. Micah filed the petition on 30 August 2017.

During competency hearing in the National Court, Micah stated in his affidavit that there was an error in the gazette notice regarding public holiday dates of 27 July and 26 August. The year dated on the gazette was 2018 and not 2017.

The Kavieng MP and Finance and Treasury Shadow Minister, Ian Ling-Stuckey, was nowhere to be seen when a delegation of Government ministers, including New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, were received with much fanfare on Friday (March 16).

When contacted, Ling-Stuckey told this newsroom that he did not accept his invitation in protest of the wrongful priorities of the governor.

“The provincial government under Chan has completely lost touch with grassroots’ needs and confused its priorities,” stated the local MP.

In a statement, Ian Ling-Stuckey said: “If you have a large number of suppliers with outstanding bills, and you have a viable means of financing, you should pay the bills. Saying no to the K570 million extra available over the last two weeks, especially in the context of the increased funding needs for our earthquake victims, is both incompetent and seems heartless.

“The Alternative Government welcomes Prime Minister’s increasing engagement with PNG businesses and a renewed understanding that PNG must embrace the opportunities of the Indo-Pacific region,” says Ling-Stuckey.

“The Alternative Government also agrees that the key issues facing PNG businesses include ongoing foreign exchange shortages, a lack of support for PNG’s small and medium-sized enterprises, a slowdown in the economy and the importance of trade and investment.

“There were disturbing reports in mainstream media on 26 January that Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Benny Allan, had stated that foreign-controlled Naima would take control of the rice market in PNG once the state solicitor had cleared the 80 percent quota and 10-year tax holiday,” said the Shadow Minister for Treasury and Finance, Ian Ling-Stuckey.

“Since forming government in 2017, the National Government has organised to increase prices on 918 items,” reveals shadow minister and Kavieng MP, Ian Ling-Stuckey.

“These price increases will start coming through early in the new year. A government more in touch with the high cost of living facing our people would not deliberately increase prices that mainly suited their business besties.”

Ling-Stuckey said the biggest negative impact will be on family food budgets.

In a statement the MP outlines development statistics in the country that shed light on various issues that impact the country.

“As I celebrate time with my wonderful family amongst the beauty of Lemus Island in Kavieng, New Ireland Province, I reflect on the Christmas message. The birth of Christ was a true gift of love to the world. Through his birth and eventual sacrifice, he has shown the path to save the world. We must share this message of love” said the Shadow Minister.