Party reps want more than K10,000

REPRESENTATIVES of political parties believe they should be given increased funding to improve and strengthen their performance.
This was revealed at the opening of the Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties conference in Kokopo, East New Britain, yesterday.
University academic and political commentator Dr Alphonse Gelu said funding given to political parties was from the annual budgets passed by parliament to strengthen parties and make them accountable.
He said different levels of public funding were given before elections, according to claims made by parties and members to the Central Fund, refund of female candidates who scored 10% of total votes and salaries of party officials.
Gelu said the increase in funding depended on the capacity of the economy.  
Some delegates said the K10,000 given to each political party was not enough to cater for their smooth running.
Former chief ombudsman Ila Geno said each party should be given K500,000 from the national coffers.
But, he warned that the way provisions were structured was a recipe for corruption for political parties.
He proposed amendments to the law.
Geno said he was not against foreign or individual donations to parties but suggested that it must go through the national coffers which the Central Fund could administer.
Former Manus governor and lawyer Stephen Pokawin said K10,000 was quite large, especially when there had been no such funding for political parties in the past.
“We need more and will continue to need more but what is the adequate amount?
“What is the business of political parties?” he asked.
Pokawin said political business would always be unfair.
Former prime minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu said it was more important that the state recognised the role of political parties in ensuring that democracy survived.
He said with the criteria laid in law, it would be useful to go through the criteria and come up with suggestions on eligibility for funding.