Prime Minister Peter O'Neill

PM O’Neill to open Press Club Speaker series

This was revealed during the announcement of the inaugural event by the Media Council of PNG and the National Broadcasting Corporation.

MCPNG President, Alex Rheeney, said since this was the first ever event of its kind and with the upcoming elections it was only fitting for the Prime Minister to launch it as well as be the opening speaker for the series.

Changes to 2017 National Election dates, hot topic

PNG Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato was quoted in The National newspaper on Monday that the dates for the Issue of Writs may be deferred to May 20 because of legislations before Parliament.  

The current date for the issue of writs is April 20.  

Last Tuesday, Opposition Leader Don Polye held a media conference questioning the integrity of the Electoral Commissioner and the office he occupies.

O’Neill: We have much to be proud of

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said this in his New Years message to the nation.

“As a nation we have so much to be proud of as we enter into 2017.

“Our country has just been through one of the most difficult years in our recent history.”

“Global challenges have placed pressure on our economy.”

“Papua New Guinea, has survived the downturn in global commodity prices, which was made much worse by drought.”

“We have also seen domestic challenges.”

“But we overcame each and every challenge and we are a stronger country because of this.”

O'Neill launches Financial inclusion

This was revealed during the launching of the Second National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2016 -2020 in Port Moresby yesterday.

According to the Bank of PNG and the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) unprecedented growth in financial inclusion has been accomplished since the adoption of the first NFIS 2014 – 2015 which was launched in 2013.

The achievements and milestones include:

Finance Management Act to be announced

The PFMA 2016 replaces the PFMA 1995 following a review spearheaded by the Department of Finance.

The PFMA was amended in Parliament in August 9 this year and will officially come into effect in January 1, 2017.

Earlier this year, Finance Secretary, Dr Ken Ngangan, said a review of the PFMA was to correlate the country’s economy and to ensure Government accountability, transparency and efficiency.

“The systems that were in place 20 to 25 years ago were systems that were put in place to manage about K500 million budget.

PM confirms amendments to taxation measures

PM O’Neill said there will be a clarification of some measures that were included in the 2017 Budget that are intended to ensure that entities who are not paying their fair share of tax will be compelled to do so.

“We need a review of some taxation measures so as to eliminate any confusion that people may have,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

“This includes measures in the budget that have been raised by the public and businesses.

Govt prioritises education for families in remote areas

He was speaking during the graduation of the first Grade 10 students at the newly-established Kuare High School, Southern Highlands Province, over the weekend.

“Education is a vitally important tool for our national progress and the future of country, and education must be available right around Papua New Guinea,” states the PM.

“I am proud of our children who are going to school after many did not have the opportunity in the past, and now they must continue onto the next level of their education.

“I congratulate our young men and women who are graduating year ten.

Ambum to Kompiam road to be sealed

Linking the picturesque Monokam Village in the Ambum valley, the road will serve the people of the Kompiam-Ambum district.

It will cost an estimated K32 million and will be funded by the National Government, with counterpart funding from the district’s K10 million District Services Improvement Program (DSIP).

Prime Minister O’Neill told thousands of people who gathered at the Ambum District that the time for talk from governments is well and truly over, as for the past five years. the National Government has been delivering on infrastructure promises.

PM proposes Thailand-PNG direct flights

In a bilateral meeting with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Air Marshall, Prajin Juntong, on the sidelines of the APEC Leaders’ Summit in Lima this week, O’Neill said as trade and tourism continues to expand, the new air link would be viable.

O’Neill said the prospect of direct flights between PNG and Thailand will create opportunity for increased business travel and tourism, and also have the potential for the movement of fisheries and agricultural produce.

International conference to showcase PNG’s resource sector

More than 900 delegates and exhibitors from resource and service companies, government organisations, landowner groups, international investors and financiers, and aid organisations will attend the 14th conference at the Sydney Hilton Hotel.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill will open the conference with a keynote address followed by Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch's presentation on the National Budget and the 2017 outlook.