The newly elected Member for Maprik Open Electorate, Liberth Kapris and re- elected Member for Sohe Open Electorate Henry Amuli, were officially sworn into the National Parliament this morning by the Speaker of Parliament, Job Pomat. The new Maprik MP contested under the People’s First Party led by Member for Yangoru-Saussia Richard Maru, while Amuli was re-elected after a by- election where he contested under the PANGU Pati banner. Amuli thanked all who have been supporting him since he got elected in 2017, up to 2022 and in this by-election. “This is important for me and the people of Sohe. The people of Sohe have been missing out on services in the last few years and I’ve been going in and out of court, knowing I will still return for my people of Sohe.” Amuli also appealed to those candidates who were in the race to stand with him and serve the people of Sohe together. “After this swearing-in, we will go into swearing-in DDA members next, and we will go into full swing to continue to serve our people of Sohe.” Meanwhile, Kapris assumes the Open seat following the sudden death of his father, the late Gabriel Kapris last year. Kapris said that to be elected as the new member for Maprik open is a real honor. “I would like to express my heart felt gratitude to the people of Maprik who have entrusted me with this great responsibility.” “I am aware of the challenges and expectations that comes with this role, but I am committed to serve the interest of the people with integrity, diligence and dedication.” “With collaboration and innovation, and effective governance, we can unlock the full potential of our district and create a brighter future for our people and the future generation to come.” Kapris also pledged to uphold the trust and confidence that’s placed in him to serve his people and build a prosperous future for the people of Maprik. The swearing in ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister James Marape and other Government MPs. The two MPs joined the Government side and now increase the number of MPs in the Government to 77.

The Opposition has expressed grave concerns regarding serious criminal allegations levelled against Police Commissioner David Manning, who has been accused by the alleged rape victim in a video that has been widely circulated. In light of the victim coming forward, the Opposition feels it is necessary for Commissioner Manning to voluntarily step aside while allowing an independent and competent organ of law to clear him. The Opposition noted that now is not the time to express skepticism toward the victim, but sympathy, that a heinous crime has allegedly been committed by the head of Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) – an institution that is supposed to prosecute crime and protect victims in such instances. There is no statute of limitations on the crime of rape, hence the Justice system must ensure the matter is properly processed. The alleged victim in the video, claims she has been intimidated and is understandably fearful of the head of the police force. As it is widely known and understood, victims of sexual abuse often conceal their abuse for years and sometimes never expose the trauma they face due to fear of intimidation and to avoid further suffering or fear of retaliation from the perpetrator. These allegations reflect on the Office of the Police Commissioner has the potential of demeaning the Office. The Opposition also denounced the termination of the investigating officer in which the public can see as “an attempt to undermine the rule of law and pervert the course of justice”. It is hardly coincidental that the police officer who was assisting the alleged victim is somehow found guilty of malpractice and has been terminated from the force. These actions suggest that every effort is being made to suppress justice by elements within the Police Force itself. The Opposition calls on the Prime Minister to initiate an independent investigation into both the claims of the victim and the termination of Detective Pokiapon to determine if there is a case or not. Commissioner Manning must be stood down pending the outcome of the inquiry. Now that the matter is widely known in the country and potential outside the country, considerable harm has been brought on the office of the Commissioner and the RPNGC. The Opposition also calls on Prime Minister James Marape to act swiftly on this matter.

Highlighting their commitment to bolstering sports and communities nationwide, Vodafone PNG officially announced yesterday, Tuesday 11th June, its naming rights platinum sponsorship of K250, 000 of the Capital Rugby Union (CRU) 2024 season- as the Vodafone Champion Match between the traditional rival competition in Lae and Port Moresby respectively. Vodafone PNG Head of Marketing Ben George said the sponsorship encompasses both the male and female rep teams, live rep game broadcast, comprehensive analysis, player insights and behind the scenes content directly accessible from Vodafone’s social platforms. George said, “This partnership signifies Vodafone’s pivotal role in advancing the sport, from grassroots levels to premier competitions. By leveraging the power of global brand with cutting-edge technology, Vodafone pledges to elevate fan engagement through exclusive mobile content, ensuring enthusiast remain abreast of the game’s excitement in real-time.” Capital Rugby Union President, Mr. Kori Chan said this partnership not only represents Vodafone’s commitment to supporting grassroots game in Papua New Guinea, but also from a CRU perspective, it’s the importance about honouring and respecting the traditional pathway to earn the right to wear a certain jersey whether you’re a male or female. Mr. Chan said this pathway is very critical, particularly if they want to improve the national games or the national teams. “We are incredibly honoured to welcome Vodafone PNG as a naming rights sponsor for our CRU representative teams. Their support will significantly impact the development of rugby union in the nation’s capital and in PNG by helping us to rebuild and strengthen our traditional pathways toward national representation." This sponsorship by Vodafone PNG is vital for the growth and development of rugby in PNG. As the Naming Rights Sponsor, Vodafone PNG’s support is designed to help rebuild the traditional pathway toward becoming a PNG Pukpuk, Palai or Cassowary. Pepsi Moni Plus CRU carries on the tradition of the Boromas and Gaigais, historic representative teams of Port Moresby Rugby, now joined by NiuPower CRUW competition and the Hanenamos and Magias. "We look forward to the Vodafone PNG Challenge Cup as it will be a significant event for our teams," stated Chan. "It's an excellent opportunity to showcase the talent and hard work of our players." This sponsorship aims to restore the traditional pathway to becoming a PNG Pukpuk or Cassowary/Palai, which has been lost under previous and current administrations. The sponsorship will ensure fairer selection processes and stronger national teams, benefiting the entire rugby community. “This partnership will bring significant benefits to our players, coaches, sponsors and the broader rugby community, strengthening our efforts to develop future national representatives,” said Chan.

The Flexible, Open and Distance Education (FODE) will host a total of 8, 300 students nationwide to sit for the grade 12 mid-semester exams in the first week of July. FODE Principal Mr. Anthony Rayappan said, the idea for the students to take up the mid-semester exams is for students to apply through the DHERST online portal to the tertiary intuitions. “This is a very good thing because, the FODE grade 12 students were considered as Non-School Leavers and now this time, they are considered as School Leavers, and they will be considered in the online DHERST selection system.” Mr. Rayapan added that, all these students are from the 22 FODE centers across the country. Meanwhile, the Flexible, Open and Distance Education is the dedicated entity that offers open and distance learning pathway as an integral part of the National Education System. It comes under the FODE and Inclusive Education Division of the Department of Education. It is a School at home, where students study the same secondary education curriculum in their own time, in their own homes, and at their own pace. The main objectives of FODE are: - To improve access to higher education - To increase gross enrolments (GER) - To provide opportunities for lifelong learning

The Bintangor Goroka Lahanis winger Amos Kafare has been suspended by the Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) Judiciary for 3 years after pleading guilty to detrimental conduct. The Match Review Committee referred the player directly to the Judiciary to determine the appropriate penalty. The incident occurred in the match against WNBPG Kimbe Cutters earlier this season. The player was sent off from the field. He was charged with detrimental conduct which involved him making a deliberate and unnecessary contact with a match official. He is suspended for three years and is not eligible to play in any sanctioned competition until after 28 April 2027. General Manager of Pathways and Performance Tony Archer explained, “This type of behaviour towards our match officials is an extremely serious matter.” “They should never be treated in this manner, as a game and organization we will never tolerate it.” "The independent judiciary process reinforced this position. We have worked closely with the club since the incident. I would like to commend the club for how they have dealt with this matter.” “Amos immediately pleaded guilty and sought time, which was granted to prepare a submission knowing the large penalty he was facing. That is the reason for the delay and Amos has not played since the incident,” Archer said. A focus of the 2024 season has seen an increase vigilance on foul play in the competition. In the first 8 rounds over 60 players have been charged and suspended with various on-field offences. “We will continue to work hard on identifying foul play incidents in matches. We have seen the referees correctly sin bin and send off several players for foul play incidents,” said Archer. He added that many of these incidents occur because of the tackling technique they are using. Archer said, “Dave Westley from our team is working closely with clubs and players to improve this. We will continue to develop the skills of our coaches and players through education whilst still holding players responsible for their on-field action.”

A 10-member team of volunteer medical professionals from Australia, the PNG Angels, on their 7th mission to Papua New Guinea (PNG), were at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) recently from the 3rd to the 7th of June performing 18 life-saving surgeries. This team consisting of neurosurgeons, nurses and anesthetists, operated on 4 children and 14 adults, addressing spine and brain tumor cases. Also joining the team was PMGH’s very own neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin Thomas, who travelled into the country from Sydney where he is doing a 6-month course. Neurosurgeon, Founder and Director of PNG Angels, Dr Marc Coughlan, said he was keen to work in collaboration with the local neurosurgical team and that his emphasis was helping with surgeries as well as training and upskilling the staff in areas such as intensive care, the ward, and in theater. “So, we've sort of expanded it to try and do all facets and not just come and operate, but to also help with the post-op care. So, I'd really like to just thank the local theatre team in particular for accommodating us. A lot of other theatres were moved so that we could accommodate up to about 18 surgeries this week and the logistics were phenomenal,” he stated. Acknowledging the support of the PNG Angels on behalf of the neurosurgical unit, Dr Benjamin Thomas said he was grateful to the team for the one week spent at PMGH. “I am so grateful for the team from Sydney, they sacrificed one week of their time to work in PMGH. It's a lot. It's a big charity that they've given back to PNG people and to the hospital. We are so appreciative of their efforts to come over,” he stated. On behalf of the management, Dr Henao Asa, Clinical Governance Chairman, acknowledged the support and commitment of the PNG Angels as well as highlighted the importance of collaboration with the increase in patients at the hospital. “From PMGH, from the management, we are committed to maintaining a safe, pleasant, and healthy environment for our staff, our patients, and our visitors, including healthcare, generally, at PNG. From our side, from the management side, we are showing that we are here to support. But on behalf of our management, your presence here is a testament to the spirit of collaboration. We are honored to have you with us,” he stated. He also emphasized on PMGH’s strategy being centered on providing quality healthcare for the population of PNG as well as its vision’s alignment to National Health Plan 2021-2030 in achieving the Government’s Vision 2050. The #PNGAngels, an Australian-registered charity dedicated to providing volunteer medical services to PNG, not only carried out these crucial surgeries but also supplied essential medical equipment and training to the local healthcare professionals. This mission underscores their commitment to enhancing the medical capabilities and improving the future of healthcare in our region.

A lot of comments by teachers and the public on the issue of teachers’ 3% have been noted. Minister for Education Lucas Dekena assured the teachers that it is a real deal signed as a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by the Papua New Guinea Teachers’ Association on behalf of the Teachers, Teaching Service Commission on behalf of the Government and witnessed by the Department of Personal Management Secretary on behalf of the State. “That MOA is legally binding." "It has not been politicized nor is it neither a lie, nor a myth as quoted in the National and circulated even on social media.” The truths of the matter are these: · That the MOA was signed after the 2024 budget was handed down. This meant Treasury had to look for and secure money to effect the MOA · That has been done and Finance Department started work on getting the teachers paid through the ALESCO pay system. · However, in view of the January 10th, 2024, unrest due to a glitch at Alesco Teaching Service Commission and Pay Roll Division of the Department of Education requested for a Test Run to Verify all teachers’ salaries before the final run. · The Test run was done and verified but there was a glitch. Finance Department was informed and is working on verifying the anomalies to avoid a glitch for the teachers to be paid. “Let me assure the teachers that the MOA is binding, and you will be paid your 3% CPI increment and allowances as the verification is completed. Finance Department is working to input all information into the ALESCO Payroll for payments to be made.” “As Minster for Education I wish to take this time to thank you the forever hard-working teachers for your patience, tolerance, and understanding in respecting the processes involved in implementing the MOA on the Determination of Salaries and Allowances for teachers in the Teaching Service from 2023 to 2025.” He also acknowledged the undivided support given by Departments of Personnel Management, Finance, and Treasury to Teaching Service Commission and the Department of Education in ensuring the Implementation of the MOA is effected. “In conclusion I wish to reiterate that the 3% pay rise and the payment of allowances to teachers from 2023 to 2025 is neither a pack of lies nor a myth, nor is it politicized as speculated. It is legally binding through the signed MOA and the teachers will be paid.”

With much disagreement thrown on the floor of Parliament this afternoon, from both the Government and the Opposition sides respectively, the Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Private Business Committee, Job Pomat said, out of the 5 technical requirements for a motion of a Vote of No Confidence, another error was found on the notice number 4 of the Alternate Government's VoNC. He said, the defect in number 5 of the technical requirements was due to submission of names which was written with the last names of the candidate put first instead of the candidate's first names. The Opposition disagreed with the ruling made by the Speaker and when the speaker asked for a motion to be made in regard to the Notice of the VONC to not be placed on the Notice Paper in what would have been Thursday's sitting, the Opposition walked out of Parliament. The Motion for the notice of VONC not to be on the notice paper tomorrow was voted for with members of Government voting 69 to 0. There will be no Vote of No Confidence tomorrow and Parliament has been adjourned to September 3rd , 2024 at 2pm in the afternoon.

Prime Minister James Marape said, the main issue regarding Bougainville’s Independence is how to adhere fully to the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and the Papua New Guinea Constitution. PM Marape made this statement in Parliament during a debate on Bougainville, which saw active participation from both sides of the house. He emphasized that Parliament will decide on Bougainville’s independence in accordance with the PNG constitution. He urged Bougainvilleans to consider the PNG perspective and for Papua New Guineas to understand the Bougainville perspective, emphasizing unity as the Christians and Melanesians. “This will allow us to find a common ground at some place, not now, but as we journey together into the future.” He highlighted that the PNG Constitution, established before the independence in 1975, defines the sovereignty that the country enjoys today. Marape noted that those who drafted the BPA in 2001 included provisions for the PNG parliament to ratify the results of the Bougainville Referendum, which took place in 2019. In this referendum, 97.7% of Bougainvilleans voted in favor of Independence from PNG. “This is the issue we are grappling with." " There is nothing to fear about bringing the results of the Bougainville Referendum to the floor of parliament,” said Marape. He assured that each Member of Parliament (MP) would express their stance through a vote. “A vote on the sovereignty of our nation is a constitutional vote.” He also expressed concern that other provinces with autonomy might seek independence from PNG, stating, “Bougainville is a pacesetter for our country." "We must ring-fence the rest of the country.” He clarified that there are no time limitations regarding the issue of Bougainville’s independence and one day the Parliament will make a decision. “Each of you MPs will be asked to make a call on this issue and there will be no place of hiding as each of us will be required to stand up." "The only thing that is holding us back is the constitutional law requirement for a vote and ordinary law requirement for a vote.” PM Marape concluded by stating that Bougainville and PNG had agreed to involve a mediator to determine the necessary number required for a decision.

Minister for Bougainville Affairs Manaseh Makiba said, the issue that is facing the country and its parliament is the procedure in is which the Bougainville referendum result would be brought into the house to make a final decision for the political settlement for Bougainville. This is in response to Central Bougainville member Simon Dumarinu on the status of the Bougainville Referendum with a result of 97.7% votes. Minister Makiba said, in the last consultation that took place in POM last year, the Era Kone agreement was reached between the 2 governments and the referendum results should have been brought in last year for the rectification process to take place. But due to no standing procedures of parliament as well as the enabling constitution of provision, particular section 342 of the constitution which does not provide the procedure or process by which the referendum result will be brought in for rectification. He said, they will need to adopt an appropriate procedure in order for the referendum to be rectified. “In the last GSP meeting, we have resolved to find a way for the parliament to establish an appropriate procedure for the rectification to take place.” “But before that ratification is put in place, the referendum result cannot and will not be brought into this parliament." "And that is what we are working on." Minister Makiba said, he would provide a full ministerial statement in the next meeting on an update on the sessional order that will be brought into parliament for adoption for the rectification to actually take place.

With a total number of 6 seats still vacant in Parliament, Member for Finschhafen Rainbo Paita called on the government to give an update and when funding would be made available for the Local Level Government By-Elections to take place. “We live in a country with many challenges, and these are unprecedented times and it will continue to do so ahead,” said Paita. He said, in an event when disaster strikes, the first person to stand and support its people are the mandated leaders, but at this time, there are currently a couple of seats that are still vacant, and the by-elections has not happened yet. He said, when a seat is free, the people from that area don’t have a voice to air out their concerns on the floor of parliament. In response, Prime Minister James Marape said, there are 6 seats that are still vacant and a few of these seats are still attached to court cases and some of which are due to the passing of the members. But he reaffirmed to the house that, they will get the by-elections done once they retire Maprik Open (East Sepik) and Sohe (Oro) will move too 2 of the vacant seats. “The reason why they were a little bit late in calling for the by-elections was because, those seats were lost by the death of former members and out of customary obligations, we have to allow for the natural time for recovery to take place." “But the Pogera-Paiela seat (Enga) and the Dei seat if it is free of the court case, it will be in line for the by-elections at the very earliest.” Marape further stated that, the Dei seat, Madang seat and the Kabwum seat are vacant at this time due to court cases running against them. “Once the 2 by-elections for Maprik and Sohe is totally retired, we will hold by-elections for the other seats that are vacant.”

With the first Parliament session underway, Provincial Member for Oro Province Garry JUFFA raised several questions on the floor of parliament if there are any plans in place for the government to take and respond in a swift manner to help the people when disaster strikes. Juffa said, the current disaster laws and response protocols are outdated and asked if the national government have plans to assist provinces in building provincial disaster management centers in our province. Defence Minister Dr. Billy Joseph in response said, critical disaster emergency departments are not in one place which makes work difficult. "The first responders on the ground are the provincial disaster management committee, and the person in charge is the provincial administrator." "At the national level, from a national government standpoint, when there is a disaster, the national disaster management committee is activated, and it is our job to make sure that the provinces that is affected by disaster have all the resources that they need." "So, we expect the provincial disaster management committee to, within six to 12 hours, do a quick report, send it to us at the national disaster management committee and where we assess and define what kind of help they need." Dr. Joseph said, the disaster emergency departments are not under one umbrella which makes it difficult to act fast. Furthermore, Dr.Joseph said, he will take note of the important questions and respond at a later time.