Briefs

Economy ‘protected’
Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey says that the K5.7 billion economic stimulus package protected the economy from the effects of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. “Otherwise, the Covid-19 pandemic would have greatly affected the economy and we would have laid off public servants,” Ling-Stuckey said.

Photo ban
Speaker Job Pomat has banned photographers from the mainstream media from taking pictures in Parliament starting today. He issued this ban after a photographer used a flash when taking a picture while parliament was in session yesterday.

House infected
Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan says over half of the Parliament staff including some members of parliament have contracted the Coronavirus (Covid-19). “The long adjournment of Parliament from April 21 to Aug 10 was the approach taken to contain the spread of the Covid-19 among the MPs and staff,” he said.

‘Institute neglected’
Esa’ala MP Davis Steven says that the Institute of Medical Research (IMR) has been neglected by the Government. Steven said the Government had allocated funds to a new scientific group to conduct research into the coronavirus when IMR was already mandated to conduct scientific medical research.

Revive fund: MP
KANDEP MP Don Polye wants Prime Minister James Marape to resurrect the Sovereign Wealth Fund. Polye is supporting the Government’s K5.7 billion loan. The fund will support budgets when fully operational, Polye said. He told Parliament yesterday that PNG should resurrect and support the fund while debate was on over the Covid-19 report presented by deputy speaker Koni Iguan and Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey.