PM O’Neill : Budget to confront Global Challenges

Speaking ahead of the upcoming sitting of the National Parliament, the Prime Minister. Peter O’Neill  said the 2016 Budget is designed to protect the nation from ongoing global challenges while maintaining growth.

The Prime Minister said other legislation that will come before the Parliament includes laws to provide greater certainty in the hydrocarbon and minerals sector, the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), and the provision for dual citizenship for Papua New Guineans.

“The budget that will go to the Parliament is one that better positions our economy to confront international challenges including low commodity prices and global economic uncertainty,” PM O’Neill said.

“This is a conservative budget that carefully manages spending to ensure essential services are delivered to the people.

“Core services for our grassroots including school fees and access to healthcare will continue to be properly funded.

“Our law and order programs will continue with more funding for police, the courts and correctional services.

“Funding for critical infrastructure will be maintained in order to provide ongoing stimulus for business and for job creation.

"At the same time projects that are not essential in these times of economic caution are being reviewed and deferred.

“What the people of our nation want is a stable Government who will manage their economy in a sensible manner and this is what we are delivering.”

The Prime Minister said other legislation to go before Parliament in the final sitting for the year includes the Constitutional Amendment on Papua New Guinea’s ownership of hydrocarbons and minerals.

“The mineral and fuels that lay beneath our soil are limited, which means that the more we extract the less we have for our children in the future.

“We, as a nation, must manage our resources in a way that obtains best value for our people. We must also exploit our minerals and energy assets in a transparent an accountable manner.

“As part of the shaping and development of the Kumul Structure we are taking steps to remove inefficiencies and duplication in our minerals and energy sectors."

The Prime Minister said further bills to be presented in the Parliament sitting include the Organic law on the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that will implement firm measures to deal with corruption without fear or favor.

“The ICAC legislation will, for the first time in our country, provide the people with a truly independent body that will confront corruption.

“There are people in our country and overseas who are corrupt and there are others who corrupt them, and our Government is determined to see them brought to justice.

“ICAC will be totally independent and beyond the reach of politics, unlike other offices that became heavily politicised and potentially involved in the practices they were tasked to prevent.

“The Constitutional amendment required to establish the ICAC has already been passed by the Parliament, now it will be for Parliament to consider the Organic Law."

PM O’Neill further welcomed the tabling of legislation that will allow Papua New Guineans of dual citizenship to carry the national passport and come and go from their country with ease.

“There are many talented Papua New Guineans who have left our country but do not come back often enough.

“Our Government wants to make it easier for our sons and daughters to come home more regularly, and to bring their knowledge and skills back to Papua New Guinea.”