PNG Budget Manipulation Claims Surface as Nomane Challenges Marape
Papua New Guinea's Shadow Treasurer James Nomane has accused Marape Government of manipulating budget numbers and economic indicators, saying the administration has relied on “deceitful practices” to justify borrowing and hide mismanagement.
Nomane said the Government’s fiscal strategy hinges on two key issues — the compulsory 5.6% Connect PNG appropriation under the 2021 Act and the use of what he claims are inflated GDP figures tied to the failed 2025 census.
 |
| PNG Budget Manipulation Claims Surface as Nomane Challenges Marape |
He argued that the Connect PNG Act demands that 5.6% of the total national budget be allocated to the program, calculated from the original appropriation even if revenue falls short. He said that resulted in K1.6 billion going to Connect PNG in 2025, plus outstanding arrears worth billions, while DSIP and PSIP received only K1.5 billion in total.
“To me, that is clear evidence the Prime Minister is more concerned about feeding crony networks than focusing on true national development,” Nomane said.
On GDP reporting, Nomane said the failure of the 2025 census has opened the door to economic manipulation. He alleged the Government has inflated GDP figures to mask the country’s debt position, lowering the debt-to-GDP ratio and enabling more borrowing.
“That debt is being taken on the back of a lie,” he said.
He criticised the Government for still failing to publish expenditure reports, saying citizens deserve to know how public money has been spent. “Yet they want to pass another disastrous 2026 budget without accountability.”
Nomane said the pattern of behaviour shows a Government “out of control” and called for an end to what he describes as fiscal irresponsibility.
Also read
Post a Comment