Shadow minister queries bill

SHADOW Mining, Environment, Conservation and Climate Change Minister James Donald has branded the National Gold Corporation Bill “shady and questionable”, telling the Government to explain it to the people.
“I have never heard of a Government trying to pass legislation to validate a deal they have already signed on behalf of the State,” Donald said.
“Good governance and parliamentary practices don’t (allow) signing a massive deal on behalf of the State and then running to Parliament to validate it.”
Donald said the Government owed the people an explanation.
“It is clearly a reflection of the mismanagement and hastiness of Prime Minister James Marape to tie the independent State of Papua New Guinea down to a deal before ensuring the necessary legislation and policy framework are in order before doing so,” he said.
No comment could be obtained from the Government on Tuesday.
Donald said the Government failed in its duty to provide clear and transparent information on the Bill that could have huge implications for the country if enacted.
He questioned Marape whether he had read and understood the shareholders agreement signed in 2021 at Government House.
He claimed that much of that agreement benefited the company and not the country.
“The deal will kill the mining industry – plain and simple,” Donald said.
“No wonder our mining industry leaders, experts and businesses are not coming out in support of this Bill because they know it is a bad deal for the country, but don’t want to burst Marape’s bubble.”
He urged the people of PNG to exercise their democratic right and question their respective MPs on their stand on the Bill.