Bill focuses on Covid-19 measures

By Rebecca Kuku
THE Public Health Emergency Bill 2020, if passed, will continue to provide measures to protect people from the Covid-19 and future public health emergencies, says Prime Minister James Marape.
It will also provide a legislative framework to support the continuation of the Government’s efforts to “detect, prevent, mitigate and eradicate the CoviD-19” and “to enable a national response in future”.
“No one saw the Covid-19 coming. So this bill will be a new frontier, it will be the new norm going forward as the Covid-19 is here to stay.”
Marape said the bill was still “work in progress” and he urged MPs “to contribute to it”.
It will be tabled in Parliament next week. The bill mentions strict adherence to basic hygiene, cleanliness, social distancing and other preventative measures.
It also requires:
Government institutions at all levels to resume full operations, with priority given to those who deliver essential government services;

Businesses delivering essential services and manufacture food, water, medical supplies, utility industries, banks, etc to continue;
Transport sector – to ensure the movement of people, supplies and materials here and abroad;
Schools and educational institutions – to re-open and provisions to look after children and workers in education settings;
Religious establishments – to provide believers with the spiritual and emotional support;
Other businesses – hotels, grooming, recreational and retail companies need a new model to deal with clients in a creative manner.

Marape: Focus of government on health, well-being of people during lockdown

By REBECCA KUKU
Prime Minister James Marape says the focus of the Government in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemis has been on the health and wellbeing of the people.
In his statement on the “transitioning into the new normal”, he said the Government had been working to prepare the country for the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The focus of the Government has (all along) been the health and wellbeing of Papua New Guineans,” he said.
The state of emergency was declared on March 22 and extended to June 2.
“I had done this as the risk was very high globally and we had identified cases in the country. It was vital that we introduced measures to slow the spread of Covid-19 and to respond accordingly,” he said.
Marape said the Government also started thinking of how to transition the country into the new normal.
“While we continue to work with provinces to better prepare and respond, and while we consider our transition strategy, we must acknowledge that there are no quick wins. What this means is that we will need to adjust measures as required, introduce and remove restrictions, and ease restrictions gradually.
“Steps to transition towards a new normal must be guided by public health principles, together with economic and societal considerations.”
“To ensure this transition can take place, there are criteria to be met including evidence showing the Covid-19 transmission is controlled, public health and health system capacities including hospitals are in place, outbreak risks in vulnerable settings are minimised, workplace preventive measures are established to reduce risk, importation of cases is managed and communities are fully engaged.”

O’Neill commends govt support on ICAC Bill

By HELEN TARAWA
IALIBU-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill has commended the government for supporting the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) bill.
O’Neill told Parliament yesterday the bill deserved the support of the House.
“If we do not support this bill today, it will never see daylight in the future,” he said.
“We are among few countries in the world, when we pass this bill, with the ICAC structure in place.
“This institution must not be used as a tool. I’m pleased to hear that the framing of this bill is conducted according to the constitution.
“When you appoint those commissioners, even some of our most learned people are compromised all the time.
“If we have to amend, make sure we have leaders (from outside) who can come and shape this institution for us. Protect this institution and we will give you (govt) the support you need.”
Northern Governor Gary Juffa said ICAC must not be abandoned like other institutions.
“It will be important to put systems in place to avoid this happening, that this organisation receives the resources that it deserves, that it has capacity, it is nurtured from the very beginning to become an effective tool to fight corruption.”
Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta said the ICAC bill was for everyone in PNG.
“It is important that it allows the people to carry on their normal activities.
“We rush into passing laws but we don’t follow them. The onus is on us to enforce the laws,” Haiveta said.
Acting Clerk to Parliament Kala Aufa said the ICAC bill would return for debate after two months.
“When Parliament returns for the next session in August, there will be a second opportunity for debate. If they pass the second vote then the third reading will just be formalities.
“With the number of support from MPs as witnessed today, it looks positive,” Aufa said.

Amendments pending in Superfund legislation

By HELEN TARAWA
TREASURER Ian Ling-Stuckey says minor amendments need to be made to the Superannuation Act before it is tabled in Parliament.
Ijivitari MP Richard Masere had questioned the Government whether it had a plan on the superannuation relief to help workers who had been laid off work and struggling to meet rental payments.
He asked the government whether it would tell people charging rentals to consider those who had been laid off and reduce rental or give a rental holiday for at least two months.
Ling-Stuckey said he would inform the House today of the government plan.
“We’ve asked the Bank of PNG to assist the government to continue negotiating with commercial banks since the government has no oversight to determine interest rates for commercial banks,” he said.
“I have not received any report from the banks on what exactly they have passed on and to whom. When I receive that I’m more than happy to table that as part of a statement to Parliament.”

Manning issues 13 new orders on 14-day extension