USAID: Much talk about nothing in PNG

MICHAEL KABUNI
| Academia Nomad

 

USAID
USAID has been responsible for half of long-term foreign assistance by the US government

PORT MORESBY - Whilst there’s much talk about the potential impact of cuts to USAID on the Pacific Islands, in the case of Papua New Guinea I cannot point to a specific USAID project and say with confidence it has transformed lives.

This is not a criticism of USAID. The quality of life in PNG is not the responsibility of foreign countries and donors. We Papua New Guineans get that.

Continue reading "USAID: Much talk about nothing in PNG" »


Australia helps expedite PNG budget repair

IAN LING-STUCKEY
| PNG Minister for Treasury

State Owned Enterprises Minister Duma  Treasurer Ling-Stuckey and Foreign Affairs Minister Tkachenko  Hilton Hotel  Port Moresby  December 2024
State Owned Enterprises Minister William Duma,  Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey and Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkachenko,  Hilton Hotel,  Port Moresby,  December 2024

PORT MORESBY - The recent announcement of a K1.4 billion budget support loan from Australia is good news for Papua New Guinea.

The Australian loan interest of 4.2% is only half the rate of the expensive commercial loans pursued by the former O'Neill government of 8.4% plus high up-front costs in fees.

Continue reading "Australia helps expedite PNG budget repair" »


PNG's problematic rush to independence

PAUL OATES

National-Archives-of-Australia
The Australian flag comes down, 16 September 1975 (National Archives of Australia)

CLEVELAND - Fifty or so years ago, many of us who worked in Papua New Guinea and were acquainted with its new leaders had mixed feelings about what seemed to be a rush to independence.

In 1975, there was certainly hope for the future and good wishes for our Papua New Guinean friends. But there was also a feeling that what was offered to PNG was a sugar coated pill that contained a more bitter reality.

Continue reading "PNG's problematic rush to independence" »


Understanding the use of crypto in PNG

PETER S KINJAP

Peter Kinjap
Peter Kinjap explains Bitcoin at one of his frequent seminars

PORT MORESBY - Crypto (cryptocurrency) is digital money that exists only online. It’s not like kina or toea that you can hold in your hand. Instead, it’s stored on a computer or smartphone.

The best known crypto is Bitcoin but there are many others – Ethereum, Solana, probably hundreds more.

Continue reading "Understanding the use of crypto in PNG" »


As Sir Julius wanted, let’s keep PNG united

BUSA JEREMIAH WENOGO

Independence Coalition - Thomas Kavali  Michael Somare  Julius Chan and John Guise
Fifty years ago - the leaders of PNG's independence coalition: Thomas Kavali, Michael Somare, Julius Chan and John Guise

PORT MORESBY - The recent passing of Sir Julius Chan has prompted me to reflect on the life and journey of the founding fathers of Papua New Guinea, especially their work to establish a new nation.

I am reminded of the Spanish-American philosopher and essayist, George Santayana, who said: “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.

Continue reading "As Sir Julius wanted, let’s keep PNG united" »


Elder statesman Sir Julius Chan dies at 85

KEITH JACKSON

Sir Julus Chan was an outstanding figure both in colonial Papua New Guinea and in 50 years of independence (PNG Business News)
Sir Julius Chan was an outstanding political and business figure in colonial Papua New Guinea and in 50 years of independence (PNG Business News)

NOOSA – Not long after dawn one morning in early January 1972, just as I was finishing breakfast (it was porridge), there was a gentle tap-tap-tap on the front door of our home.

The station manager’s house was a few rungs up a ladder adjacent to Radio Bougainville’s studio block and, while early morning visitors were common, mostly they were announcers who’d left the studio key at home.

Continue reading "Elder statesman Sir Julius Chan dies at 85" »


Three Ages of a Mosaic Land

ANONYMOUS

Image by Jorge Salas for New Paths Expeditions
Image by Jorge Salas for New Paths Expeditions

The three related verses that follow reflect the traditional English sonnet form (three quatrains and a couplet, with an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme). This poem has been composed to mark Papua New Guinea's 50th year of independence in 2025. Each sonnet explores a different aspect of PNG's journey - past, present and future - while maintaining thematic connections through imagery drawn from custom, wisdom and the land itself.

Continue reading "Three Ages of a Mosaic Land" »


Peter Lewis, a teacher of great dedication

KEITH JACKSON

NOOSA – My old Mosman room-mate from 1962, Ian ‘Talker’ McLean, bears the sad news of an old Manly housemate from 1963, Peter 'Ringer' Lewis, who has died after a long illness.

After receiving his ASOPA certification in 1963, Peter Edward Lewis taught in the Northern Territory for eight years in schools at Papunya, Yuendumu and Lake Nash before moving on to Kormilda College and Katherine Public School, as a project teacher for disadvantaged Indigenous and other students.

Continue reading "Peter Lewis, a teacher of great dedication" »


Help fight Malaysian logger's grubby tactics

KEITH JACKSON

Act Now slappd
Image by Reporters Without Borders (RCF)

 

NOOSA - In 2024, Act Now, one of Papua New Guinea’s few community-based advocacy organisations, was subjected to no less than three pernicious SLAPP lawsuits instigated by a Malaysian logging company.

SLAPPs (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) are used by politicians, public officials, big companies and wealthy individuals to intimidate and harass journalists, campaigners and human rights defenders.

Continue reading "Help fight Malaysian logger's grubby tactics" »


When arse-grass came to Livinton Hall

PHILIP FITZPATRICK

Crown Lane Cover

Crown Lane: A rural boomer’s tale by Robert Forster, UK Book Publishing, Whitley Bay, 2024. Available from Amazon Australia for $21.99 plus postage

TUMBY BAY - Although born in the heart of it, I’ve never been able to truly fathom the feudal but still very much extant English class system.

From the bone-headed parasites and inbreeds in the royal family to the lowliest members of the working class the existence of the archaic system and its acceptance by both its beneficiaries and victims is truly mystifying.

Continue reading "When arse-grass came to Livinton Hall" »


Buin's Johnny Auna is new boss at BCL

MEDIA RELEASE
| Bougainville Copper Ltd
 
 
BCL Johnny and team
New Bougainville Copper CEO Johnny Auna and team. "A once in a lifetime opportunity," says Johnny.

BUKA - Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) has announced the appointment of Johnny Patterson Auna as chief executive officer.

Mr Auna, from Laguai Village, Buin, in South Bougainville, joined BCL in March last year as chief financial officer and company secretary.

Continue reading "Buin's Johnny Auna is new boss at BCL" »


‘Diplomatic doyen’ Charles Lepani dies at 77

OBITUARY
| Exepreneur Magazine

Sir Charles Lepani
Sir Charles Lepani - the last of 'The Gang of Four', who significantly influenced PNG's governance before its independence


PORT MORESBY - Sir Charles Watson Lepani, KBE CBE OBE, born on 28 October 1947 in the Trobriand Islands of Papua New Guinea, was a prominent public servant and diplomat whose career spanned several decades.

He passed away on 10 January 2025 after a battle with stage four cancer, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to the development and growth of PNG.

Continue reading "‘Diplomatic doyen’ Charles Lepani dies at 77" »


At 80, reflections on a life in journalism

KEITH JACKSON

_grad
Graduating from the University of Papua New Guinea, 1 August 1975

NOOSA - Time can play strange tricks. Just past my 80th birthday, I find myself inhabiting two worlds: one where my mind remains as agile and adventurous as ever and another in which my aging body increasingly has difficulty in matching its desires.

Yet this contradiction has given me an unexpected gift - the ability to traverse time effortlessly in my thoughts, particularly back to that sweltering day in August 1975 when, just weeks before Papua New Guinea’s independence, I graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea.

Continue reading "At 80, reflections on a life in journalism" »


Champion for women Tess dies at 35

KEITH JACKSON

_Tess
Tess and her son, now aged 13, after her graduation from the University of PNG


NOOSA – Theresa (Tess) Gizoria, one of Papua New Guinea’s most talented women leaders, died last Saturday, two years after being diagnosed with Stage 3 Lobular Cell Carcinoma - an advanced form of breast cancer.

Her initial treatment in PNG was found to be flawed after she was referred to specialists in Australia but Tess refused to allocate blame and instead used her illness to seek better treatment for all cancer patients in the country.

Continue reading "Champion for women Tess dies at 35" »


New book cuts through Bitcoin hype

JAMES KOYAPO *

_Colonel (ret) Reginald Renagi (left) receives a copy of Bitcoin Dream from Peter Kinjap
Colonel (ret) Reginald Renagi (left) receives a copy of Bitcoin Dream from Peter Kinjap


PORT MORESBY - 'Bitcoin Dream: Hope Hype and Chaos' by Peter Solo Kinjap is interesting, catchy and of educational benefit not only to Papua New Guineans readers but to readers everywhere.

Its purpose is to educate people about the facts underpinning society’s attitudes towards money and recent developments in how our conception of money is changing.

Continue reading "New book cuts through Bitcoin hype" »