Secretary resigns to contest by-election

Community Development, Youth and Religion Department secretary Anna Bais resigns today to contest the by-election of the Moresby North West seat left vacant after the death of Sir Mekere Morauta.
Bais told The National that it was a big sacrifice she had made to leave her job to contest for public office.
“I’ve been in the department that deals with small people and I’ve brought it to a level where PNG now knows what it is all about,” she said.
“The country now knows that this department deals with women, children, the youth, elderly and those with disabilities.
“It’s around family protection and environment and I’ve seen the challenge of why we are not putting people at the centre of development.
“Me putting my hand up is because I have greater institutional knowledge of all these policies, laws and strategies. I now want to take it to the floor of Parliament where the voice is lacking for this marginalised group of people.”
Bais said support in terms of resources, to implement community policies was missing.
“I feel that I need to continue to echo the rights of these people, the basic human rights of many of our families and the communities,” she said.
“For me to forego the secretary’s job is a big sacrifice for my family because I worked my way up to the top.”
Bais said being a politician would have more pressure because the demands of her people would be her responsibility to address.
“The challenges are big but I’m ready for it.”