Latest news with #Marape
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
PNG government on track to remove GST on 13 essential items
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has said his government is on track to remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on 13 essential household items from 1 June. This was a commitment made in last year's budget. Marape has commended the Internal Revenue Commission for its efficiency in implementing government policy. He specifically acknowledged IRC Commissioner-General Sam Koim and his team, "Sam Koim and his team have shown that when a policy becomes law, departments must act." Marape emphasised that these tax reforms form part of a broader package of relief measures introduced by his government in recent years to support struggling families. "These include removing project fees from schools, paying tuition fees for elementary to secondary education, supporting higher education through the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP), and offering scholarships for high-performing students to study overseas. We've also provided tax relief by raising the income threshold for non-taxable earnings to K20,000," he said. He says that next year, the government will remove 10 percent GST from first-time home buyers. Marape said these measures are about helping real people - especially those in the informal sector, in rural areas, and families earning subsistence or low incomes.
Scoop
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Stop Telikom PNG Silencing Journalists, Media Council Appeals To PM Marape
This follows reports that the government-owned company sacked radio talkback host Culligan Tanda (pictured) after he featured an opposition MP on his Media Council of Papua New Guinea has called on Prime Minister James Marape to stop Telikom PNG silencing and suppressing media personnel. The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) has called on Prime Minister James Marape to stop Telikom PNG silencing and suppressing media personnel. Telikom PNG, which is 100 percent government-owned, has two key outlets: FM100 and EMTV. Recently, it sacked FM100 talkback host Culligan Tanda after he featured opposition MP Allan Bird on his show, following the most recent vote of no confidence. Local media report that Tanda was initially suspended for three weeks without pay on 22 April, and subsequently terminated. MCPNG president Neville Choi said this just the latest example of media suppression by Telikom PNG going back to 2018. He said he himself was sacked in 2019 after EMTV had run a story quoting the former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she would not be riding in one of the PNG government's luxury Maseratis during a APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation0 meeting. Choi said the story, though correct, was perceived as painting the government of the day in a negative light. He said a 'free, robust, and independent media is an essential pillar of democracy'. 'It is the cornerstone of allowing freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. 'Being in a position of power and authority gives no one, especially brown-nosing public servants wanting to score brownie points with the sitting government administration, the right to suppress media workers who are only doing their jobs, and doing it well.' The Council also reminded the management's of State-owned media organisations, that the Organic Law on the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) defines corrupt conduct by public officials and the dishonest exercising and abuse of official functions. According to a PNG Haus Bung report, Marape has directed his chief of staff to get to the bottom of the issue. He has also denied government interference, according to a report by Exeprenuer. 'We don't get down that low as to editorial content,' Marape was quoted as saying by the the online magazine. In December, Marape gave 'full assurance that my government will not dilute the media's role.'
Scoop
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Stop Telikom PNG Silencing Journalists, Media Council Appeals To PM Marape
Article – RNZ This follows reports that the government-owned company sacked radio talkback host Culligan Tanda (pictured) after he featured an opposition MP on his Media Council of Papua New Guinea has called on Prime Minister James Marape to stop Telikom PNG silencing and suppressing media personnel. The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) has called on Prime Minister James Marape to stop Telikom PNG silencing and suppressing media personnel. Telikom PNG, which is 100 percent government-owned, has two key outlets: FM100 and EMTV. Recently, it sacked FM100 talkback host Culligan Tanda after he featured opposition MP Allan Bird on his show, following the most recent vote of no confidence. Local media report that Tanda was initially suspended for three weeks without pay on 22 April, and subsequently terminated. MCPNG president Neville Choi said this just the latest example of media suppression by Telikom PNG going back to 2018. He said he himself was sacked in 2019 after EMTV had run a story quoting the former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she would not be riding in one of the PNG government's luxury Maseratis during a APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation0 meeting. Choi said the story, though correct, was perceived as painting the government of the day in a negative light. He said a 'free, robust, and independent media is an essential pillar of democracy'. 'It is the cornerstone of allowing freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. 'Being in a position of power and authority gives no one, especially brown-nosing public servants wanting to score brownie points with the sitting government administration, the right to suppress media workers who are only doing their jobs, and doing it well.' The Council also reminded the management's of State-owned media organisations, that the Organic Law on the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) defines corrupt conduct by public officials and the dishonest exercising and abuse of official functions. According to a PNG Haus Bung report, Marape has directed his chief of staff to get to the bottom of the issue. He has also denied government interference, according to a report by Exeprenuer. 'We don't get down that low as to editorial content,' Marape was quoted as saying by the the online magazine. In December, Marape gave 'full assurance that my government will not dilute the media's role.'
Scoop
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Stop Telikom PNG Silencing Journalists, Media Council Appeals To PM Marape
The Media Council of Papua New Guinea has called on Prime Minister James Marape to stop Telikom PNG silencing and suppressing media personnel. The Media Council of Papua New Guinea (MCPNG) has called on Prime Minister James Marape to stop Telikom PNG silencing and suppressing media personnel. Telikom PNG, which is 100 percent government-owned, has two key outlets: FM100 and EMTV. Recently, it sacked FM100 talkback host Culligan Tanda after he featured opposition MP Allan Bird on his show, following the most recent vote of no confidence. Local media report that Tanda was initially suspended for three weeks without pay on 22 April, and subsequently terminated. MCPNG president Neville Choi said this just the latest example of media suppression by Telikom PNG going back to 2018. He said he himself was sacked in 2019 after EMTV had run a story quoting the former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying she would not be riding in one of the PNG government's luxury Maseratis during a APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation0 meeting. Choi said the story, though correct, was perceived as painting the government of the day in a negative light. He said a "free, robust, and independent media is an essential pillar of democracy". "It is the cornerstone of allowing freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. "Being in a position of power and authority gives no one, especially brown-nosing public servants wanting to score brownie points with the sitting government administration, the right to suppress media workers who are only doing their jobs, and doing it well." The Council also reminded the management's of State-owned media organisations, that the Organic Law on the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) defines corrupt conduct by public officials and the dishonest exercising and abuse of official functions. According to a PNG Haus Bung report, Marape has directed his chief of staff to get to the bottom of the issue. He has also denied government interference, according to a report by Exeprenuer. "We don't get down that low as to editorial content," Marape was quoted as saying by the the online magazine. In December, Marape gave"full assurance that my government will not dilute the media's role."
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 13 May
Article – RNZ A round-up of news from around the region, including calls for compulsory Mori language education alongside English in the Cook Islands. Papua New Guinea – politics The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court has been asked by the opposition to review the decision by parliament to change the law on votes of no confidence. In March, James Marape's government pushed through a constitutional amendment, introducing an 18-month grace period after any unsuccessful vote of no confidence against a sitting prime minister. The amendment, passed with a 81-4 vote, was hailed by Marape as a crucial step towards fostering political stability. Critics have said removing opportunities for votes of no confidence undermines the country's democracy. Political scientist Michael Kabuni called the availability of the vote a 'safety valve' that can ease political tension in PNG. The court will hear the application on 22 May. Papua New Guinea – weapons People in Enga Province have been warned that security force officers will arrest and charge anyone carrying offensive weapons in public places. Provincial police commander Chief Superintendent Fred Yakasa told local media people carrying bush knives, axes, knives, any sharp objects, guns, bullets and cartridges will be arrested and charged. He said he has told all of his police officers and security officers to confiscate such weapons and not entertain any excuses. Yakasa said people are being slashed in a matter of seconds in public places, which leads to further uprising in communities with tribal fights. Fiji – constitution The Fiji Cabinet has agreed to seek an opinion from the Supreme Court over the amendment provisions of the 2013 constitution. The coalition government said it is looking for clarification around the interpretation and application of the amendment provisions. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's administration failed in its bid to win enough support in parliament to amend the document. Rabuka could not get the 75 percent support needed to amend the constitution during the Constitutional Amendment Bill's second reading. The government has now hired Australian barrister Bret Walker to provide legal representation in the court. Solomon Islands – politics Two new ministers have been sworn in at Government House in Solomon Islands. The pair fill the last of the portfolios left vacant after a mass resignation that sparked a brief period of political uncertainty. A motion of no confidence against prime minister Jeremiah Manele was ultimately withdrawn. Government House has confirmed to RNZ Pacific the two new ministers are Bradley Tovosia taking up the Fisheries and Marine Resources portfolio, and John Tuhaika Jr, who is minister for Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs. Prior to all of the floor-crossing, Tovosia had been deputy prime minister and minister of mines. Cook Islands – language Cook Islands traditional leaders are calling for compulsory Māori language education alongside English. The House fo Ariki made the request during an education conference on Rarotonga, where they also asked for tradititional knowledge to be more widely taught. High chief Tou Travel Ariki said for the first time the house of Ariki has collectively articulated their vision for an inclusive education system that places language and culture at its core.
