Integrity of Political Parties & Candidates

So I was talking about looking at the organic laws on the integrity of political parties and candidates and it must have meant to have been because unbeknownst to me, in a personal email i received a day before i blogged, a friend had actually sent me a bunch of documents including that very piece of legislation.

I had a look at it and to tell you the truth it the bulk of it is good in terms of bringing stability. I had read a newspaper article that indicated it was very restrictive and here are some of the restrictions it places that are onerous:

• s57: Members of a registered political party can not resign from the party unless they do within a 3 month period before the next elections are called. Further, resignation must be tendered with 30 days of the 3 month period. ie; So if elections are being called in December 2008, you can only quit your political party in September 2008. The only other way of quiting your political party is to show that the party committed a serious breach of its own constitution or has been made insolvent. The onus being on the person wishing to quit the party. Resignation for any other reason amounts to misconduct in office. So say, an independent member joined a party before parliament resumed after an election and 1 year into it finds he/she can't support the actions of that party any longer, it really is a "too bad buddy" situation. That member is stuck with that party for the whole 5 year term!
• s75 & s81: Citizens and non-citizens can donate a maximum of K 500 000 to candidates and political parties. Donating more than that results in a K10 000 fine or jail for no more than 2 years. Are you kidding me? K 500 000! If someone had more than that to donate, i'm sure they are not about to be perturbed by a mere K10 000 fine. Why is the maximum amount so huge? The US Presidential candidates can only have max donations of $US 4600! K 500 000 (or more) is preposterous and allows for favour-buying.

Something interesting though:

• s42(d): The Commission may cancel the registration of a registered political party where – the party without reasonable justification, fails to file financial returns, as required by this Law, for two consecutive years.

I know Somare hasn't been filing them but what about his party? If NA hasn't either then here's another way to get rid of them.

P.S the 18 months grace period for votes of no confidence is contained in s145 of the Constitution.

In other news, PNG will be one of the four Pacific countries Australia involves in their Pacific Solution/working visa arrangement. This makes me very happy because I swear I read just the other day that PNG would in fact NOT be one of the countries in the pilot program and was poised over my keyboard ready to cry out at the unjustice of it all!

Also, because I can't keep up with the hypocrisy, I will now have a column on the side for "Somare says" so we can all keep track of his "fight against corruption." I won't front, I started this blog to give an objective as possible insight on PNG politics and corruption but when the PM continues in the way he has, it's really hard not to just disbelieve and remain sceptical of everything he does say.

Here are two very good letters to the editor from The National: http://www.thenational.com.pg/081908/letter1.php, and; http://www.thenational.com.pg/081908/letter5.php. I strongly agree with the latter, the only way this country can really progress is by developing our human resources in a well- rounded way, education + attitude development, and I have blogged about the importance of ideology before.

Before I leave, here is a blog by a Papua New Guinean really trying to empower the people. I've heard about him and read his column but haven't yet read one of his books which I hope to get around to, he is the type of Papua New Guinean that gives me hope for our country: http://tirikuimbakul.blogspot.com/

Coming up soon: issues/rumours about the judiciary and its independence.

Oh and how much faith can we have in the Finance Department's new corporate plan?

What's up, What's happening

So what has been going on PNG?

1) The Somare/Moti/Defence Board Inquiry Supreme Court Appeal: Was there actually an appeal? What stage are we at? Generally, what is going on? If anyone has info please update me, meanwhile i'll be on the hunt for an update from sources too. You can certainly tell I haven't been up with all my current affairs.

What I do know is that Moti is now back in Australia facing the child sex offences he ran from and into the safety of PNG, where our Government had no problems with sending him, VIP like, to the Solomons, using state property and services! Newcomers are welcome to browse my old post on this which looks into the legality of the whole Moti debacle.

2) The sacking of Issac Lupari, the Chief Secretary to Government: Mr Lupari has asked for a judicial review of the decision to sack him. He has/had two cases pending, with primary defendants being Somare and the Public Service Commission. I see the National Court was due to hand down its decision for Mr Lupari's action against Somare on 21 July 2008, what was the verdict?

3) And before he goes out of office, the Chief Ombudsman, Ila Geno, has attempted to reel Somare in. Somare lost his bid to have an injunction granted against the OC's inquiry and now he is appealing it. Apparently there was a mention before the National Court on 24 July 2008 but i wonder if a trial date was set and when? Well done to the OC nonetheless for doing their job!

4) Here is a link to a very good article summarising some of the happenings in PNG politics in the last 6 months: http://www.islandsbusiness.com/islands_business/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=18031/overideSkinName=issueArticle-full.tpl. Such as Somare and his problems with the OC and Lupari and the power struggle going-on between Government pollies for the big seat once Somare e v e n t u a l l y decides to retire. The best/quickest way right now for Somare to lose his throne (and there are so many reasons why) and for political power to be decentralised (let's face it, no one PNG PM has accumulated as much political power, influence and total disregard for proper processes as Somare) is for the government to break down from inside. Right now is when Chan and Morouta should be playing the old "divide & conquer" card. If our politicians weren't so greedy, people like Polye would have started walking away from Government some 6 months ago. I wish he would and lead a mass exodus with him. I'm not for a unstable country but neither am i for an autocracy or an oligarchy!

5) What do you think about Chan asking for the organic law on the integrity of political parties and candidates to be scrapped? I believe the initial intention behind it was good, i mean think back to the time when we had government changes every few months, however, i agree there is potential for exploitation, especially where the grace period is a whole 18 MONTHS!? 12 months should be the max, and if elections in PNG weren't such a big, violent, money- wasting hoopla I would even champion shorter electoral terms of 3 years. I know these integrity laws actually encompass more than a grace period and i need to really look at them because they may actually cause more restrictions than they are worth.

6) Also, how damn long is that finance inquiry taking?! According to the PNG Gossip Newsletter, "Chairman of the commission looking into the Finance Department, Maurice Sheehan, is still waiting on the K13 million promised by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare in May. The commission has three months remaining to finalise a report for the Prime Minister to present to Parliament."

To end this first real back blogging, here's a bit more ~crazy~ talk from the Rt Hon Grand Chief, M T Somare, GCL GCMG CH CF KStJ Prime Minister http://www.pm.gov.pg/pmsoffice/pmsoffice.nsf/pages/0038CE0D9B4D4D204A2573AD00207C8F?OpenDocument. Do you really know what the people deserve Mr Somare? They deserve the truth and they deserve leadership and respect from their "leaders" for the laws and institutions of this country!

Pettiness

Petty: Marked by narrowness of mind, ideas, or views. Answers.com

Now, while Ryan Pini has been swimming his heart out trying to make PNG and Pacific Islands history, other people have been marring it with general pettiness.

Apparently, some people are still looking at this blog and the other day I got forwarded the following email conversation from someone who has volunteered to guest blog. Identities were edited so I don't know these people but I gather they have all been educated overseas and some are still living outside the country. They also all sound like book smart people so why such a conversation would even have begun in the first place is beyond me. Why such prejudice is an "issue" when I could list 10 more important issues up for debate in PNG in under 30 secs, is also beyond me. But the thing that most frustrates me is that this conversation/debate took place when probably for the first time in a long time, the whole of PNG was united in one hope- success for Pini and for PNG.

I'm not sure if the contributor forwarded this to me to open up discussions on the privleges of being white in PNG but as you can see, the issue here for me is how petty the "problem" being discussed was in light of Pini's achievements and their greater meaning to the whole of the country.

Anyway, i'll let you all read the following and see what you make of it, before you do, here is a quote from rapper T.I:

"I think racism should only bother you if it prevents you from doing something that you should have the right to do, like voting, using the same bathrooms, or sitting where you want to on the bus. But white people being racist, as long as it ain’t really affecting you, just take it for what it’s worth–ignorance."

(scroll down and read from the bottom up)
From: EO
Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Subject: Re:
To: DK, WM, JO
Cc: JM, LA, NS
D, I don't see how my comments could be construed as rascist. You and I both know expats get a better deal in PNG so lets keep it real here.

By the way, whats with the term 'nationals'? why the fuck are we called that? again, must we be labelled in our own country...that term in itself has such a colonial overtone to it and yet "educated" papua new guineans continue to call themselves and each other that. Why don't we just revert to calling ourselves "natives" while we're at it. People still use the term "Masta" for fucks sake! Isn't that indicative of whats been ingrained in the national psyche? That one is inferior because one isn't a "Masta" or a "wait man"?

The value of an education largely hinges on whats done with it. Some of PNG's brightest are community-school educated (Clement Waine for example) and some of our greatest deadshits have an overseas education. The ordinary shop assistant may not be educated but I've heard so many of my educated friends use the term "masta". Fat lot of good an education has done in getting rid of that mindset!

Have a good weekend all and yes, Go PNG!

E.
p.s To those who haven't said much on this, sorry to have inundated your inboxes.

----- Original Message ----
From: DK
To: EO ; WM ; JO
Cc: JM; LA ; NS
Sent: Friday, 15 August, 2008 4:33:37 PM
Subject: RE:
HAHAHA… You both sound like a bunch of farking racists!!! So now you’re racist against expatriates just because nationals are racist toward you. For some reason I don’t think that’s going to resolve anything but rather harness greater division amongst the two races.

The reason is quite simple i.e. the ordinary shop assistant is not educated. Education is key folks. Our mindsets need to change quick smart because right now it totally stinks. You seriously cannot tell me there is no difference in the quality of education in PNG and in Australia ? If you are then you need to come back home for a reality check.

Look guys it’s Friday; so don’t hang yourself over this debate. Seriously though… GO PNG!!!!!!!

Laikim na lukim

From: WM
Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Subject: Re:
To: JO
Cc: DK, EO, JM, LA, NS
I'm not taking sides here J, my opinion just happens to be in line with D’s and JM’s, now that I've read JM's reply. There is a big difference between Australian and PNGean education and that is just a fact. There is also a big difference between living in Australia and PNG.

I agree E that we do still treat white people with deference in PNG and that is a throwback from colonialism which will one day change as more and more people get an education and realise, hey, we are the same as them, the only thing different is the colour of our skin. No doubt some white folks live protected lives in PNG but I know a few outside Pom who live and socialise with other PNGeans. This is especially true of those with children who have grown up in PNG and been raised with other PNG children. We have to remember, some PNG folks live very protected lives too, especially in Pom where the elitism is really quite obvious sometimes. I suppose it's good to look at it objectively.

Anyway, you all have a good weekend and let's hope Pini brings his A game tomorrow!

On 8/15/08, JO wrote:
I don't think it's a matter of agreeing with so and so, it is an interesting debate that has been brought up- we are all of different opinions. at the end of the day we are all proud PNGeans. I did not put the question forward so that people can take sides, I was just interested in your thoughts.

On the spectrum of education - what is the opposite scale of International education ? I think Education is Education. we are all educated the same way at the end of the day - International education is the same as National education or whatever there is. If you talk to someone on the other side of the world, they will understand when you ask them what 1+1= (if they have been to school) -There is no disctinction between international education or National education? We are all taught the same basic maths, geography, biology,chemistry, english,physics what not......elaborate on what you mean by international education. But then again that is a totally different topic right?

From: EO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 4:11 PM
To: WM ; JO
Cc: DK; JM ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re:
W, well said.

However, I think we Papua New Guineans have perfected our own version of the tall poppy syndrome. We very rarely uplift our own but subject them to rumours , jealousy and innuendo when we see them achieving be it at sport, professionally or in academia. It is a cancer of our own making and something we as a nation have to address.

I also see J's point. There is not point denying colour and race in a country like Papua New Guinea when colour and race are huge facto rs . You see it every day in PNG even in an ordinary place like a shop....a shop assistant will crawl up the arse of a white man before he/she deigns to smile at my black face!

As an aside, Ryan's parents are to be commended for paying for their son's achievements. These are the same parents who live in a rather exclusive enclave in Port Moresby ....much like the rest of the expats who live in PNG.

----- Original Message ----
From: WM
To: JO
Cc: DK ; EO; JM ; LA ; NS
Sent: Friday, 15 August, 2008 3:39:11 PM
Subject: Re:
I'm going to have to agree with D on this.

The fact that other PNG athletes can't afford to train in world class facilities is no one's fault but successive PNG Governments! I'm not going to blame Ryan's parents for affording to get him fi rs t class training facilities. I think just the same amount of respect given to Pini is given to other PNG athletes, the only difference is that Pini competes in a more popular sport that garners more attention, just the same attention would be given to a PNGean that excelled to that level in say the 100m sprint.

There are comparisons to be drawn with an international education. Should the fact that we are here enjoying a better standard of living and a better education system (and undoubtedly more opportunities) be held against us because our country can't provide the same? No. My mama works hard for me to be here and yes other PNGeans may not get the same opportunity and that is sad but it's not our fault. If anything, we are more selfish because at the end of the day we are doing it to better ou rs elves whereas athletes like Pini have the opportunity to unite a nation and bring them pride!

From: JM
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 1:27 PM
To: WM ; JO
Cc: DK; EO ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re
Hi guys,

Been avoiding the politics not to play it safe but only cause I’m getting hammered here today na can’t email much but really felt the need to addim tingting blo mi.

I find it offensive that as PNGeans we always come back to black, white, mixed raced, Central, Sepik, Enga what ever. I think the situation is no different in an athletes case as it is to any other, this is still a profession. Opportunities present themselves whether because we excel academically or professionally or our parents have the cash what ever and these allow us to venture beyond PNG and gain experience and training in our respective fields, represent our country abroad and hopefully give back to PNG on some level at some stage.

I think everyone on this email list is an example of this. We have had other athletes in the past who have had the chance to train abroad Ann Mooney, Stanley Nandex himself, Marcus Bai etc and I don’t think we need to cut these people down for doing so, they are still ambassadors and valid representatives. We’re currently doing that ourselves (correct me if there are those of you on this list that I don’t know who are currently at home). We have doctors, lawyers, engineers, geotechs, pilots, nurses etc doing this every day of the week.

A fair playing field is the ideal but it will not be a reality for a long time to come, I think we need to take advantage of the opportunities we can to promote PNG, enhance skills and god willing return to give back.

Ryan Pini’s colour and training ground should not be an issue and if it is I guess this would mean there is an issue with a whole lot of people including myself as I am both PNG educated with a tertiary qualification from Australia and now onto post graduate study in Australia (by choice) and I am half PNG, half Australian with my lewa in the Waghi Valley.

Tok tasol

JM

On Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM, JO wrote:
What are you talking about? I don't see the link between international education and olympic athletes. Please expand or clarify.

From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:31 PM
To: JO ; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
So what's your view on international education?

From: JO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:29 PM
To: DK; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
D good on him for wearing the country's colors , but I am not proud of a man who trains in Australia when all our athletes are back in PNG -

If he gets such a high standard of training then why can't our other athletes get the same- they should all have the same standard across the board.

From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:27 PM
To: JO ; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
J, plis yu painim wok o? What you on about and what's colour got to do with anything?!?! He's wearing the country's colours , so be proud!

From: JO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:20 PM
To: DK; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
General question to all- Would people be just as excited if he wasn't white?

From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:16 PM
To: WM ; EO
Cc: JM ; JO ; LA ; NS
Subject: RE:
Shit! I'm so pumped I got the time wrong. It's 1210h rs (AEST) tomorrow and not 1220h rs .

Catch

From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:14 PM
To: ' WM '; EO
Cc: JM ; JO ; LA ; NS
Subject: RE:
He's done the nation proud just to get in! I'm so happy for him… mind you I nearly had a heart attack in the last 50m! 1220h rs (AEST) tomorrow guys… make sure you're watching!

…And E you get your little arse to the nearest pub to watch the race… No excuses! Despite the result, you'll be viewing PNG History!!!

From: WM
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 1:48 PM
To: EO
Cc: DK; JM ; JO ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re:
He raced Phelps and made it to the finals!! Boy even beat Phelps at the turn! Honest hamamas kills, let's pray he has an awesome swim tomorrow

Good luck Ryan!

Damn. It's been a long time! But I'd like to come back by first wishing Ryan Pini the best of luck tonight!! I know he will give it his best and we can all hope it'll be a medal best! More on sports and its contribution to nation-building when i get into the swing of things.

Update 15/08/08: Pini has made the 100m Butterfly Finals!! Same heat as Phelps na mangi blo yumi pulled through! Pini has a way of responding to pressure and competition so God be with him tomorrow when he takes the mighty Phelps on and shows them how we make them in PNG!

Update 16/08/08: Ryan did an awesome job getting into the finals! He came 8th but made history by becoming the first Papua New Guinean ever to swim an Olympic final! Well done Pini, you have truly done us proud!