Ministry keen on improving sector’s legislation

PETROLEUM Minister Kerenga Kua, pictured, says his ministry wants to encourage continued discussions on legislation governing the billion kina petroleum sector with new legislation to be tabled in Parliament by the end of next year.
Kua told The National yesterday that like all other State ministries, they wanted to improve its revenue position on behalf of the people.
He said this at a public seminar in Port Moresby yesterday hosted by the Institute of National Affairs themed “Does the PNG government get its fair share from the resource sector?”
“In a few weeks I will be setting up a team, and with the endorsement of Cabinet, we will start discussions and dialogue with everybody including forums where all the learned people who have something to say can be invited to come forward so that at the end, when we come to a final position, that position must be acceptable for everybody, all players,” he said.
Kua said there needed to be an improvement in the laws based on having the State get a larger share of revenue.
“This includes the provincial government, the districts, councils and the people down the line,” he said.
“We need to have a discussion about the government improving its revenue position on behalf of the people in all future mining and petroleum projects and in fisheries and forestry.
“All the ministers in this government have been tasked with looking at helping the State do that.”
Kua said the team would begin the consultative process in order to write up legislation to be presented in Parliament.
“In any case, it (legislation) must be passed through Parliament before the next elections and we are determined to get it done,” he said.