PNG Parliament Appoints First-Ever Female Speaker

 Despite significant budget increases aimed at strengthening the police force, concerns over accountability and unmet promises have sparked growing calls for reform in Papua New Guinea. Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomane has been at the forefront of this push, urging greater responsibility from law enforcement agencies. He argued that despite a record allocation of K703 million in 2025—bringing the total funding to K1.8 billion since 2023—key issues such as police conduct, housing conditions, and vehicle shortages remain unresolved.

Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomane

Nomane pointed out that the promised improvements have yet to materialize. "We’ve announced the highest budget ever, but we still haven’t seen better police behavior, improved housing, or more equipment for officers," he said. "The vehicle problem persists, with police forced to rent cars across the country, and meeting the target of 7,000 officers by 2026 is increasingly uncertain."

Responding to these criticisms, Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr acknowledged the challenges but highlighted ongoing efforts to address them. "We established the Bomana Centre of Excellence to train more officers, and over 500 have already graduated. We’re also working with provincial governments to expand the police reserves," Tsiamalili explained. He emphasized that maintaining law and order requires collective effort and urged against politicizing the issue.

On the matter of vehicles, Tsiamalili confirmed that new units had been purchased and are en route, though rentals remain necessary for now. He also addressed the logistical difficulties of deploying resources across Papua New Guinea’s diverse and remote regions, acknowledging the complexity of ensuring equitable access to equipment nationwide.

As debates continue over whether increased funding alone can solve systemic issues, the call for tangible progress grows louder. With billions spent and little to show for it, Papua New Guinea faces mounting pressure to deliver meaningful reforms and restore public confidence in its police force.

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PNG Parliament Appoints First-Ever Female Speaker