The reforms are usually attached as conditions for receiving loans from these institutions.

On the positive side, if a government is reluctant to adopt a workable policy, an IMF condition may force the government to adopt it.

On the downside, the government can actually adopt policy that doesn’t work in PNG just to align with the capitalist world and advance the interests of the institution, losing sovereignty in the process.

The Supreme Court is the only national body that can rule against, reverse the direction of or direct parliament and leaders if they violate the provisions of the PNG Constitution.

Although there is a ‘separation of powers’ principle as in most democracies, there is a provision under the Constitution where the Supreme Court can interfere in the affairs of parliament.

This may occur if, in the pursuit of its duties, parliament violates the processes and procedures set out in our Constitutional laws (they being the Constitution or the Organic Laws).

One instance of this occurred in 2016 when the Supreme Court ruled the adjournment of parliament unconstitutional.

There was also the 2022 case when a meeting of parliament, including its decisions (one of which was the budget), was declared unconstitutional because half of the parliament was in Vanimo.

Other examples saw the Supreme Court ruling the Manus Refugee centre unconstitutional and some amending some changes to the Constitution that it ruled as unconstitutional.

There’s is a catch though. The Supreme Court cannot of its own volition initiate cases. Someone with standing has to bring the case before the Court.

There is one exception to this – the court may initiate a case if an individual directly attacks the judiciary, as MP Brian Kramer did in recent years.

Donor countries can use money power to pull a few strings. The US, Australia, Japan and New Zealand are funding a $1.3 billion electricity project in PNG to connect 70% of the country to the electricity grid by 2030.

This is just a one of many money-deals entered into by PNG. There’s no way on earth we can receive grants of this magnitude and not listen to the wishes of countries that give us the money.

When they threaten to pull the rug from under us, we cave. You don’t need to be a geopolitical expert to know this. Watch kids playing on the street: it’s the kid who owns the ball who makes the rules. His team probably wins the game too.

And we must not forget the people. In a democracy, the political class are supposed to be accountable to the people. This happens mainly through elections, where the people have the power of the vote.

Unfortunately, most Papua New Guineans don’t vote for or against politicians based on policies, morality, integrity or good values.

So the politicians don’t care too much about living up to these standards. They can mess everything up and still get elected.

In fact, in PNG the people probably have the least impact on leaders who stuff things up.