LEADING UP to self government and independence in PNG, I had the privilege of working with a very distinguished Papuan magistrate.

His unfailing dedication, honour and selfless dedication to the good of his people was inspirational.

He was also a founding member of the first political party in the country and dedicated to its rose coloured vision.

He was the sort of man in whose capable hands you thought PNG would do well.

He wasn’t the only one of course, there were many like him in those days, but to me he was always special.

I kept in contact with him intermittently and occasionally visited him in Port Moresby until a few years before he died.

In his later years, when he was supposed to be retired, he persisted in championing and working for (usually unpaid) a range of organisations and their good causes.

I was pondering the calibre of this man when scrutinising the recent clutch of PNG lawyers and public servants named in the recent Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Corruption, and who were exposed by Rowan Callick in The Australian a few days ago.

I nearly choked on my Scotch Finger biscuit. There, in black and white, was the name of the son of the man I so much admired!

The corruption is so massive and blatant that it has even taken Michael Somare by surprise.

These are only allegations at this stage, they have yet to be proven in court (if they ever get there), but judging by the swiftness of the injunctions against publication of the report in PNG there seems little doubt about the authenticity of the list.

I was angry about the ham-fisted greed of some politicians taking kickbacks for contracts on the liquefied natural gas project and their apparent indifference that their short-term gains might jeopardise the whole thing. 

But the revelations about my old friend’s son are so far beyond anger that I cannot find the words to explain my feelings. This man is one of the educated middle class who everyone is hoping can get PNG back on the rails!

Then again, perhaps I’m overreacting.

It was only a couple of weeks ago that the bloated budgets and ridiculous swanning about by the Governor-General came to light. 

He is a man who everyone looks up to and regards as a champion against corruption.

But he’s showing, and this is not corruption, that his office is willing to be a bit more profligate with public money than is necessary.

Is PNG a failed state? The people in charge seem to be giving it their best shot.