parliament

Member for Bulolo, Sam Basil Junior queried whether the National Department of Health was fully funded to carry out its duties.

Basil told parliament Morobe Province was taking the lead in the ‘Nogat Marasin’ campaign and sought answers from the National Department of Health as to why there was no basic medicine in hospitals.

In his maiden speech today in parliament, Samban paid homage to the previous Member for Wewak Open, Late Kevin Isifu, and declared to pursue aspirations left behind by him for the greater good of Wewak.

Samban opened his speech by thanking the people of Wewak for giving him the mandate to represent them.

“It is with great honor and respect to address this honorable house as the newly elected member for Wewak. I take this time to acknowledge and thank my people of Wewak for the trust they have bestowed on me. “

When presenting the supplementary budget, Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey said it is based on Papua New Guinea’s economic strength, despite all the global economic challenges surrounding the country.

Ling-Stuckey said, “A supplementary budget that allocates an additional K771 million, lifting the 2023 Budget to a record level of K25,338 million in expenditure.

“All in the context of on-going budget repair, a drive to surplus by 2027, and the option to repay all our debt by 2034.”

The Prime Minister said the existing laws of the country are sufficient to protect the rights of all PNG citizens and residents including those in the LGBTQ (Lesbian Gay Bi-Sexual Transgender Queer) community.

“There is no bill with our government to promote gays and lesbians in the country. Neither will there be any promotion of gays and lesbians under my watch. People’s sexual preferences are within their individual rights of choice but our government will not be promoting this matter or be seen to be legitimizing gay or lesbian rights in PNG.

He said within the time his government took office, it has been fine-tuning the project agreements to get more interest out for Papua New Guineans. As he put it, the government was “not in a rush” to get the operation started in the country.

The Prime Minister was discussing the gold refinery concept in Parliament in response to questions put to him by Leader of Opposition Joseph Lelang.

Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika who administered the swearing in of the MPs, urged the MPs to use their mandate responsibly and serve the people of Papua New Guinea.

"The declaration that you're about to make and sign is a solemn promise to the people of Papua New Guinea,” he said.

"But it's not only to the people of PNG, but to the entire world at large and to God Almighty.

"God Almighty is our unseen visitor in our midst in this house.

"The Constitution says all making power of the people of Papua New Guinea is now going to be vested in you all.

According to the United Nations Development Programme, PNG, for the first time in 25 years (since the 1992 election), no females will make up the 111-member Parliament - despite more female candidates being nominated for elections in 2017 than ever before;167 of 3,332 were female candidates.

Dr Alphonse Gelu, Registrar of Political Parties said women need to have full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

Flames were seen billowing from the building's roof on Monday, as firefighters tried to douse the blaze.

The fire first broke out on Sunday and completely destroyed the National Assembly, or lower chamber.

Police have arrested a suspect who will appear in court on Tuesday on charges of arson, housebreaking and theft.

The Prime Minister was responding to questions from Kairuku Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo.

"Kairuku Hiri is a huge electorate (with) a population of close to 200,000 people.

"Service delivery is lacking in my district because I cannot be doing everything given the huge land mass and population in my district.

"Now that the Boundaries Commission has completed their awareness, when will the Parliament deliberate on the report?

"Are we going to split the electorate in this term of Parliament?" Isoaimo asked.

Sir Puka said this would allow the parliament to discuss issues relating to this.

“Can the executive government be responsible to this country and the people of this country to inform through the leadership on the COVID situation in this country,” he said.

When responding, the Prime Minister assured the parliament that the Health Minister will make a public statement tomorrow if parliament resumes, and encouraged all citizens to access publicly available information through various channels.