| Business |
Another year, another parliament
TODAY, Papua New Guinea continues to
move through a third decade. Our 33rd year as a nation has so
far been marked with some bitter controversies and a degree of
disquiet about our future directions.
Nobody will deny that the Papua New Guinean economy has made
progress in the past five years.
The reasons are many and varied. One major boost to the economy
has come from the high world market prices applying for most of
our natural and agricultural resources.
Another has been the good management of our economy by the
former treasurer and minister for finance, Bart Philemon and the
professional advisers who supported his administration. It is to
be hoped that some of that expertise will continue to be used by
the new government.
There remain many areas of concern. One is expected to be raised
in Parliament when it meets today.
That is the issue of amending our mama lo, the Constitution, to
allow the incoming government to create yet more ministries. By
global standards PNG is a small country with a small population.
It is difficult to see why we need such a sharp increase in our
ministries. It would not seem that the economy, despite the
improvements we have noted, requires a brace of new ministries
to bolster its progress.
Our justice and law sectors would appear to have sufficient
ministers to handle necessary duties as do agriculture,
transport, forests, fisheries, mining, the disciplined forces
and foreign affairs – although one wag has suggested that PNG
might benefit from the establishment of a Ministry for
Australian Affairs.
It is arguable that the Health Ministry could be helped by a
full ministry dealing with epidemiology and HIV/AIDS; PNG
education might also benefit from a separate Ministry for
Tertiary Education and an Office of Technical and Vocational
Education.
But the question remains – are these needs so pressing that we
can afford to splash out on seven or eight extra ministries?
The costs vary depending on the source of the estimate, but they
certainly total many tens of millions of kina. Surely a small
nation needs to match a small population and economy with small,
lean and effective ministries?
The underlying reason for the projected increase would appear to
be political – the need to avoid fraying the government coat of
many colours.
A far more important need has been targeted by John Hickey. The
new Minister for Agriculture has attacked, in his
usual forthright manner, the inept performance of the committee
system within Parliament.
It is not the system that needs castigating, of course, but the
members within the committees. Some of these committees have
failed to meet at all, while others have little to show for
their existence.
We would be more impressed with the incoming government if it
acknowledged the comments of its front bencher and told the
public how it intends to address this serious issue. A brace of
new ministers would not seem to be the answer.
Further controversy remains over the Moti affair. Despite
repeated pleas from the PNG media on behalf of the people of
this country, the hierarchy remains obdurate over the issue.
The report, we were told last week, will remain “gagged”.
The old familiar question remains to be answered.
Why?
The impact of the Moti issue has been felt more significantly in
the past two weeks.
This is the result of decisions in the National Court.
It remains to be seen whether it will be possible for the Moti
inquiry report to remain “gagged”. We are aware a significant
PNG readership of the internet is familiar with much of the
content of the report.
We wonder how effective will a continuing gag be in restricting
or blocking access to its contents.
Above and beyond these issues lies public concern at the
performance of Parliament and its members. We can only hope that
the new administration will take note of public disquiet over
that concern.
Swollen government numbers in any democratic parliament can lead
to the railroading of legislation and contempt for the checks
and balances of the House.
The media will be monitoring Parliament with interest in the
coming weeks.
 
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