Christopher Papiali
HOW THE POLITICIAN YOU VOTED NOW IS DIFFERENT THAN BEFORE. CAN THIS POLITICIAN HEAR THE CRY OF THE DIRTY FINGER VOTER IN THE VILLAGE?

The 9th Parliament is the improvement of the 8th parliament and I believe the best is yet to come. This is what my view is when I look at the line of members entering parliament. However, I am little naïve on my view.

When Sir Michael Somare, Sir Julius Chan and other founding fathers of this great nation entered the House of Assembly, one can recall at that time that the knowledge of the world of politics, religion and economics was minimal. The debates and discussions focused on national development ideals.

Millions of hectares of customary land in Papua New Guinea has been stolen as a result of agricultural and business leases approved by the government, a report by Greenpeace has found.

The report, titled Up For Grabs, is a detailed analysis of evidence presented to the PNG government's commission of inquiry into how more than five million hectares of land was lost to Special Agricultural and Business Leases, often without the permission of landowners.

source: 
The National, Tuesday July 24th, 2012
By ELIAS NANAU in Vanimo
PNG Party leader Belden Namah has retained his Vanimo-Green River open seat in West Sepik for another term, making this a first 10-year consecutive term to be held by an MP from the electorate.
The only such feat was recorded by the late Bewa Tow during the House of Assembly.

PAPUA New Guinea's former Somare government introduced a controversial concession that allegedly accelerated deforestation of its tropical forests and gave away a potential $US23 billion in carbon-trading rights to foreign interests, according to a Greenpeace report.

The political time-bomb that awaits PNG's new government, in a report by Greenpeace Australia Pacific released today, gives details of how a new type of concession introduced by the Somare government in 2003 called Special Agricultural and Business Leases has hastened the deforestation of the country.

Source: PNG Party Website

I would like to remind every Papua New Guinean, especially the re-elected and newly elected leaders, that Governments are formed on the Floor of Parliament and not in Alotau, Kokopo or Airways Hotel in Port Moresby.

The invitation by the Governor General to the Party with the highest declared candidates is just giving that party the first right of refusal. That particular party in this case is PNC Party. PNC Party must then muster the absolute majority of 56 plus Members of Parliament to be confident of forming the next government and electing their nominated Prime Minister on the Floor of Parliament.

Lisa Pagelio
Sunday 29th July 2012

Sitting Governor of the National Capital District and leader of Social Democratic Party, Powes Parkop, is maintaining the first position.

After count 203, at five o'clock this morning, Mr Parkop has so far polled 20, 830 votes.

Peoples National Congress Party candidate, Wari Vele, is running second with 11,521 votes, and Independent Michael Kandiu, is on third with 8,802.

For the Moresby North East Open Seat, sitting Member Andrew Mald is leading 5,401 votes, after the 30th exclusion at five o'clock this morning.

PNG Party candidate, John Kaupa, is on second with 5,134 votes, and People's Movement for Change Party candidate, Labi Amaiu, is on third with 4,549 votes.

David K Gairo
OLD OR NEW?

Apart from BN's typical outstanding personality and personal challenges, there are some truths in the way he has made decisions and taken actions in the past. Do you think that he has seeing the roots of corruption branching out from the Haus Tambaran into many other institutions within and without, that the only way to call for attention and give warning was to shake the tree at its core-the law and the constitution? Did he see deep seated rot? Did he identify them? Why would BN risk his new political career with such aggression? 

Lisa Pagelio
Sunday 29th July 2012

Caretaker Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, says there are well over 68 members in the Alotau Camp.

He says they are ready top form government and will not let the people of Papua New Guinea down.

On Friday, the arrival of 26 members was by far the largest group consisting of various coalition party leaders.

The party leaders arriving with Mr O’Neill on Friday included Sir Julius Chan, Sir Puka Temu, and Patrick Pruaitch. Others who arrived on that same day include two URP members from South Bougainville and Menyamya, Benjamin Philip and other smaller party leaders.

Mr O’Neill assured all present that the People’s National Congress party will work closely with them to ensure the government that is formed is stable, united and that there will be a reconciliation of past differences.

Mr O’Neill also thanked senior party leaders and the three former Prime Ministers (Sir Julius Chan, Paias Wingti & Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare) for showing confidence in him and for giving him their support.

He said the Alotau camp is ready and they are looking forward to the invitation from the Governor General to form the next government.

All the camp members expressed satisfaction and have also showed solidarity towards the formation of government.

More members are expected to arrive at the camp as declarations in the other provinces are made.

Lisa Pagelio
Sunday 29th July 2012

By Toa Sime

The new Regional Member-elect for Northern says the province has suffered from lack of good governance and management over the years.

Gary Juffa, the man responsible for separating the PNG Customs from the Internal Revenue Commission and turning it into a vibrant organization, said this in his maiden speech following his declaration yesterday.

Reginald Renagi
THAT'S JUST MY OPINION - HORSE TRADING FOR THE NEXT PNG GOVERNMENT

At this very moment, many PNGeans will want the ideal situation to form the next coalition government next month. But unfortunately there will never be an ideal situation in PNG politics. PNG governments have always formed from horse-trading before and after the election writs are returned. The 2012 National General Elections will be no exception to the rule. 
From my personal observation, the new government of PNG needs to come out of the Kimbe group, with some good men (and women) from the Alotau camp.