High expectations on Pangu

THE election of Erigeri Singin of Boana in Morobe’s Nawaeb district as Pangu Pati president shows that the party has not forgotten its roots and birthplace of Morobe.
But more than that, the appointment is testament of the commitment by the country’s first political party to promoting greater gender equity in politics.
That much has been stated by party leader and Prime Minister James Marape after the announcement last Friday.
It remains to be seen whether that will translate into the party backing as many female candidates as possible in the forthcoming national elections.
There is none better than Pangu to lead the way in seeking out prospects for the next general election.
Many post-election reports have pointed out that one of the biggest impediments to women’s success at the polls is inadequate financial resources.
Without any party endorsement, the challenges are tougher.
Unlike male candidates, women generally do not attract much support because they lack resources.
Even if they do have the means, female candidates are less inclined to “flash the cash” on things such as hosting feasts or such other activities to draw support as their male counterparts.
The lack of adequate resources restricts other activities.
In rural Papua New Guinea, candidates themselves or their campaign staff are therefore unable to cover as much territory as possible during the campaign period so their messages do not reach the bulk of the voting population.
Voters generally go for those they have seen and heard in person. So those who do not show up due to inadequate resources hardly stand a chance of scoring votes, hence, “out of sight”, out of mind.’
Consequently, many credible female candidates have been unsuccessful against better-resourced but (dare we say) less deserving male opponents.
Morobe, for the latecomer, is the assumed birthplace of the country’s first real political part – Papua and New Guinea Union or Pangu.
At one time or another, Pangu had a monopoly in Morobe, claiming most of its nine open seats and the regional seat.
The history of Pangu is not complete without mention of Australian Tony Voutas, who arrived in PNG as an 18-year-old liklik kiap in 1961 to spend the next couple of years traversing the rugged Morobe interior.
He eventually became a member of the first assembly, representing a part of the province.
In 1967, Voutas together with eight members of the assembly and 10 outspoken non-members formed the first effective political party – Pangu.
During his time in parliament, Voutas introduced a bill for equal pay for women.
This, according to the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce, became a law in PNG before Australia enacted a similar law.
His second major achievement as MP was that upon his advice, the constitutional planning committee was comprised totally of backbenchers.
As a result, PNG now has a constitution with strong checks and balances on the use and abuse of power.
Voutas was the senior adviser to the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, a Pangu Pati founding member, in the years leading to Independence in 1975.
Pangu Pati has a record of being a trend-setter in advocating for women’s welfare.
One of the party’s outstanding female MPs was the late Nahau Rooney, who at one time, was justice minister under Sir Michael.
Can Pangu ensure that at least one woman gets into the next Parliament?
It is a challenge the oldest political party should not shy away from if it truly “knows the way”.