TUC against islands’ sale

The PNG Trade Union Congress (TUC) is calling on the Government to intervene and block the sale of the Conflict Group of Islands to the Chinese.
The congress is concerned that a group of islands which for hundreds of years has been fishing and garden grounds for the Milne Bay locals would all suddenly be thrust into the epicenter of regional play between China and Australia.
We fully support the undertaking given to the National Parliament by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning John Rosso that an investigation would be carried out to ascertain how Australian Ian Gowrie-Smith obtained titles to the islands.
Are the Conflict Group of Islands alienated or traditional land?
Are they freehold or leasehold land?
How did the Australian obtain the title over them?
We need to establish the facts.
If he somehow has a legitimate title, the law still requires him to seek ministerial approval from the Lands Minister before he can sell or transfer the lease to a buyer.
We call on the minister to prevent these sales from going ahead.
Those beautiful islands, situated in a most tranquil part of the world, must be returned to the traditional landowners.
They must preserve for future generations.
It is in the national security interest of PNG that the islands do not fall into foreign hands.
The islands lie within the proximity of the Jomard Passage, a vital navigational passage into Coral and the Solomon Seas.
They also lie along the pathway of the Coral Sea Cables, the fiber optic submarine cable system linking Sydney with PNG and the Solomon Islands. These are vital transport and communication assets.
They are national security asset.
We cannot allow a foreign power near them, or our national security and our national interest will be seriously compromised.

Clemence Kanau
TUC General Secretary