Latest news with #Marape
The Age
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
PNG leader demands quick action on corruption concerns linked to Australia
Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape has demanded a preliminary report by Wednesday from the investigation into corruption concerns involving a key figure in the Pacific nation's successful bid to join the National Rugby League competition. Wapu Sonk stood down from the PNG NRL franchise board on Friday after an investigation by this masthead into whether he attempted to benefit from a deal between the country's national oil and gas company and a Chinese government-controlled firm. His position as managing director of state-owned Kumul Petroleum Holdings has now also come under scrutiny, with Marape announcing the appointment of a new chairman 'to lead a full and independent review of the issues raised.' 'This matter must be resolved quickly, clearly, and professionally. I expect a preliminary report on my desk when I return to Port Moresby on Wednesday,' Marape said. 'The people of Papua New Guinea deserve accountability, and the government will ensure that this issue is handled with integrity and in the national interest.' Sonk was the chairman of the NRL bid team and was nominated by the PNG government as one of seven initial directors of the nascent entity, which will be bankrolled by the Australian government with an injection of $290 million over a decade. While Marape asked him to stand aside, the corruption concerns relate to the multi-billion dollar energy titan charged with responsibility for the country's oil and gas assets rather than the NRL team itself, and that is now where the PNG leader's attention has turned. Announcing the appointment of Gerea Aopi, a leading oil and gas industry figure, as Kumul Petroleum's new chairman, Marape said as prime minister and trustee of the company he had 'a responsibility to protect the interests of our country and our people.'
Sydney Morning Herald
21-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
PNG leader demands quick action on corruption concerns linked to Australia
Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape has demanded a preliminary report by Wednesday from the investigation into corruption concerns involving a key figure in the Pacific nation's successful bid to join the National Rugby League competition. Wapu Sonk stood down from the PNG NRL franchise board on Friday after an investigation by this masthead into whether he attempted to benefit from a deal between the country's national oil and gas company and a Chinese government-controlled firm. His position as managing director of state-owned Kumul Petroleum Holdings has now also come under scrutiny, with Marape announcing the appointment of a new chairman 'to lead a full and independent review of the issues raised.' 'This matter must be resolved quickly, clearly, and professionally. I expect a preliminary report on my desk when I return to Port Moresby on Wednesday,' Marape said. 'The people of Papua New Guinea deserve accountability, and the government will ensure that this issue is handled with integrity and in the national interest.' Sonk was the chairman of the NRL bid team and was nominated by the PNG government as one of seven initial directors of the nascent entity, which will be bankrolled by the Australian government with an injection of $290 million over a decade. While Marape asked him to stand aside, the corruption concerns relate to the multi-billion dollar energy titan charged with responsibility for the country's oil and gas assets rather than the NRL team itself, and that is now where the PNG leader's attention has turned. Announcing the appointment of Gerea Aopi, a leading oil and gas industry figure, as Kumul Petroleum's new chairman, Marape said as prime minister and trustee of the company he had 'a responsibility to protect the interests of our country and our people.'
Sydney Morning Herald
18-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
PNG NRL director Wapu Sonk stands down over corruption concerns
'We thank Mr Sonk for his contributions to the early phase of the PNG NRL bid. However, this moment demands clarity, accountability, and the upholding of public confidence. Our national sporting future – and our international reputation – depend on it.' Marape said the claims 'touch on the governance and integrity of one of our most strategic state-owned enterprises' and as trustee of Kumul Petroleum he would ensure due process was followed. 'At this point, I have not received any official complaint locally, but I will be requesting all relevant information to allow us to assess the matter responsibly and objectively,' he said. 'Let me make it clear — no one is above accountability. If impropriety is established, then appropriate action will follow. Kumul Petroleum must operate at the highest standards of transparency and ethical conduct, given its critical role in managing the state's petroleum interests.' A formal letter would be issued to Sonk seeking a written explanation, Marape added. Kumul Petroleum has a stake in major energy projects including PNG LNG, a massive natural gas development in which ASX-listed Santos also has an interest. Loading The board of the PNG NRL team, which will be led by former Canterbury Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib, is yet to meet, having been unveiled only in June. When it does so in coming weeks, it will have six members rather than the seven announced by Marape last month. Sonk was one of several directors nominated by the PNG government under the terms of the three-way deal with the federal government and the ARLC to deliver an NRL team to Port Moresby. The businessman did not answer questions sent to him by this masthead this week, but his lawyers said he 'denies any and all allegations of improper or unlawful conduct'. A spokesperson for Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy welcomed Marape's statement and reiterated that the Australian government had zero tolerance for corruption. 'We also welcome the PM's reiteration of PNG's commitment to a 'world-class NRL team built on trust, transparency and national pride',' the spokesperson said. Loading Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a diehard South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter, pushed for the historic NRL expansion into Australia's nearest neighbour and backed it with taxpayer dollars to reinforce security relations with PNG and the Pacific, where the government has said China wants to establish a military base. The high-stakes deployment of rugby league as a geopolitical tool was presented as a landmark achievement in soft diplomacy, but there have been concerns it could be marred by corruption in a region where it is rife. The controversy that prompted Sonk to stand down will only add weight to such sentiment as the PNG franchise makes plans to enter the competition, initially with the building of a security compound in Port Moresby for players and staff to live in and a high-performance training centre. Federal opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash has called for the government to be transparent about how the bid money is spent. 'It is up to the Albanese government to make sure that the $600 million in Australian taxpayer money they have committed to the PNG NRL team is properly administered. They should seek such assurances from the PNG government,' she said. ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said on Thursday that he had full confidence that Australian taxpayer funds would be used appropriately 'as monies are controlled by the NRL'. 'We will have vigorous internal control measures in place. No payment will be [made] unless we sought the service or product,' he said.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
PNG hands over majority stakes in BCL to Autonomous Bougainville Government
The Papua New Guinea government is preparing to transfer its 36.45 percent ownership in Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) to the Autonomous Bougainville Government. This transfer, valued at over PGK140.3 million (approx. NZ$56m) at current market rates, is expected to be formally announced by Prime Minister James Marape on Thursday. The transfer includes 146,175,449 ordinary shares in BCL. These shares are currently held by the State through the Department of Treasury and Eda Minerals Limited, a fully-owned subsidiary of Kumul Minerals Holdings. This represents a total of 36.45 percent of BCL's issued capital, in two separate tranches of 19.06 percent and 17.39 percent share respectively. The transfer follows a decision by the National Executive Council for the people of Bougainville to own the shares currently held by the State. This decision also meets a directive from the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) in its meeting on 12 March 2020 for the State's 36.45 percent shareholding in BCL to be transferred to ABG. "I am pleased to see us making progress in this matter," Marape said. "It is our expressed commitment to transfer the entirety of the 36.45 percent shareholding to the government of Bougainville so the landowners of Panguna and the people of Bougainville can benefit better in the mine." The transfer of shares will result in the ABG and the people of Bougainville assuming ownership of 72.9 percent of BCL's issued capital. This transfer is being carried out at no cost to the ABG. Bougainville Copper Limited is a publicly listed company on the Australian Stock Exchange. Its share price is currently trading at AU$0.39 per share. The current market value of the shares being transferred to the people of Bougainville through ABG is AU$54,742,705. When converted to PNG currency, this is worth PGK140,365,511. Marape commended the ABG leadership of President Ishmael Toroama. He said this is a mutually reached decision on both sides that reflects the work of the two governments.
Scoop
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Prime Minister Marape Reinforces PNG's Commitment At MSG
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, arrived Sunday in Suva, Fiji, to attend the 23rd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders' Summit. The summit, chaired by Fiji this year, brings together leaders from all Melanesian states and the FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front of New Caledonia) to address shared priorities such as climate action, trade, regional security, and decolonisation efforts. Prime Minister Marape is accompanied by the higher education minister, Feo Kinoka. His attendance underscores Papua New Guinea's commitment as a founding and senior member of the MSG, an organisation established in 1986 to strengthen political, economic, and cultural ties among Melanesian nations. Vanuatu has handed over its role as chairperson to Fiji. This transition preceded the formal opening of the MSG Leaders Plenary meeting and a closed-door Leaders' Retreat. Prime Minister Marape is expected to deliver Papua New Guinea's country statement, reaffirming the nation's dedication to strengthening MSG cooperation while reinforcing broader regional partnerships through the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). "The Pacific region stands at a crossroads. We must take a proactive approach to safeguarding our sovereignty, protecting our resources, and ensuring that our voices are heard on the global stage. Our collective efforts must also voice strongly against human rights abuses in our region and for respect for all our people and members of our Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the Melanesian Spearhead Group community, and others." He is also anticipated to advocate for reforms within regional organisations to ensure they remain responsive, inclusive, and capable of meeting current and future development and security challenges. A significant aspect of Prime Minister Marape's engagement in Fiji includes high-level political talanoa consultations with the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) of the PIF. These discussions are taking place on the sidelines of the MSG Leaders' Meeting and are part of a wider regional effort led by the PIF to enhance Pacific solidarity and strategic cooperation. The talanoa process will focus on critical issues such as regional security, climate change, fisheries resource management, political governance, national sovereignty, and the institutional reforms of both regional and sub-regional groupings in the Pacific. Prime Minister Marape has consistently called for a reformed and united Pacific architecture, and he is expected to advocate for stronger collaboration between MSG members and the wider Pacific community. He has emphasised the importance of regional ownership, institutional capacity-building, and ensuring that regional decision-making remains grounded in Pacific cultural values while embracing innovation, inclusion, and resilience. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) is present at the MSG meeting as an observer, and there have been calls for West Papua to be included as a full member of the MSG. This ongoing discussion reflects a persistent aspiration for greater recognition and self-determination for West Papua within the Melanesian family. It is understood that Prime Minister Marape will also highlight his discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron on New Caledonia. These discussions typically centre on the decolonisation process in New Caledonia and the future of the FLNKS, which is a member of the MSG, reflecting a shared regional interest in the self-determination of the Kanak people.
