Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698056652217.pdf (Papua New Guinea)
FIRST DAY ____________________ Tuesday 19 April 2022 DRAFT HANSARD ___________________ Subject: Page No.
: CERTIFICATION OF ACTS .................................................................................................... 2 QUESTIONS ............................................................................................................................. 2 Status of Provincial Hospital ................................................................................................. 2 Ban Alcohol Sales .................................................................................................................. 3 Misreporting by Newspaper ................................................................................................... 3 DEPARTMENT OF PRIME MINISTER & NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORTS FOR THE YEARS 2019, 2020 AND 2021 ............................................................. 5 TREATY DOCUMENT – AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL RADIO REGULATIONS AND RATIFICATION OF THE FINAL ACTS OF THE 2019 INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION ...................................................... 18 ADJOURNMENT.................................................................................................................... 26 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES CORRECTIONS TO DAILY DRAFT HANSARD The Draft Hansard is uncorrected.
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New matters may not be introduced, Principal Parliamentary Reporter FIRST DAY Tuesday 19 April 2022 The Parliament met at 2 p.m., as per the resolution of 24 March 2022.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr Koni Iguan) took Chair.


There being no quorum present, Mr Acting Speaker stated that he would resume the Chair after the ringing of the Bells.

Sitting suspended.
The Deputy Speaker again took the Chair at 2.35 p.m. and invited the Member for Manus Honourable Mr Charlie Benjamin to say prayers: ‘Dispela avinun, as mipela i geta tu geta ken long displa meeting tudei,mipla pray that blessing blong yu, spirit blong yu istap antap long Prime Minista bilong mipela, stap antap long Opposition Leader, na istap antap long olgeta Members blong Parliament as mipela i deliberate upon long important issue affect kantri long dispela lastpela taim long Parliament, before mipela igo long election, mipela askim presence blong yu long stap wantaim mipela,givim mipela understanding na wisdom, yu forgive mipela wei mipela failim yu, papa as mipela igo inside long dispela meeting bilong mipela, mi pray that bai olgeta members blong parliament i pray wantaim mi’ 1 CERTIFICATION OF ACTS Mr ACTING SPEAKER – Honourable Members, I have to inform the Parliament that as the Acting Speaker and in accordance with section 110 of the Constitution I have certified two acts made by the National Parliament.
(1) Papua New Guinea Sport Foundation (Amendment) Act 2022 (2) Parliamentary Member’s Retirement Benefits (Amendment) Act 2022 QUESTIONS Status of Provincial Hospital Mr SASINDRAN MUTHUVEL – Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.

my question is directed to the Health Minister; this is the third time I am asking this question in relation to Provincial Hospital which the Prime Minister made ground breaking to at Kimbe town.

02/01 Many people had witnessed the ceremony.


The Minister for Health had assured that before issuing of writs, the project will go ahead and announcement would be made soon.

So, I want to know the status of this Kimbe Provincial Hospital project.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.

2 Mr JELTA WONG – Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.

I thank the good Governor of West New Britain for his question.
The Kimbe Provincial Hospital project is underway with the Health and Treasury departments just finalizing the contract agreements.

Hopefully next week or so we should confirm to the Governor and the people of West New Britain on when we will start the process of building this hospital.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.

Ban Alcohol Sales Mr AIYE TAMBUA – I rise today to direct my question to the Police Minister as a Chairman of Alcohol Related Violence Committee of Parliament.
Mr Deputy Speaker, we all know that we are nearing the election period and especially in the upper highlands in Goroka, we have issues with cheap alcohol-related problems within the province.

Can we ban the sale of cheap alcohol when we are conducting the National General Election of this country because it is a dangerous thing especially for the youths?

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.

Mr WILLIAM ONGLO – Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the Member for Goroka for this important question.
I agree with the member especially coming towards this period of election, cheap alcohol is readily available which makes it easier for the youths to consume and misbehave.

In fact, we are addressing and discussing it now.

So, it will be a collaboration between the provincial government and the police.

Before elections, we will come up with a list of certain provinces where we can ban the sale of cheap alcohol during the election period.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.


Misreporting by Newspaper Mr SALIO WAIPO – Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, before I direct my questions to the Police Minister, I also want to thank the Prime Minister for his two-days visit to East Sepik Province for the opening of the new wharf for the people of East and West Sepik.

I acknowledge his visit to Angoram to officially open many projects initiated by this government.
On behalf of the people of Angoram, I thank the Prime Minister, ministers and secretaries who accompanied him during that visit.

3 My questions are directed to the Police Minister regarding one of the articles written in The National newspaper on the 06th of April titled ‘Police are buying firearms’.
Before asking these questions, I want to thank the Commissioner of Police and acknowledge the hardworking police personnel in remote parts of this country who are serving in the districts in good and bad times.

The newspaper article stated that police are buying firearms which is illegal during this period.
The newspaper article might be right if police personnel are buying some firearm illegally, but in my district, I have launched, on the 14th of this month, the purchase of firearms to assist police during the election period especially in my district and province.

03/01 Mr Minister, you are aware of many of the support that we have given to the police such as police vehicles, firearms and ammunition.

Seems like other DDAs in the country have also supported the police as well.
So, when the DDA have the desire to support, we act by adhering to the law within our districts and provinces.

So, I want to make it clear on MPs buying firearms, that it is not good for someone to generalise it by saying MPs are buying firearms for police.

It is not good at this point in time for the bureaucrats in the departments to make this type of statement.
Therefore, with the consideration and acknowledgment of the Commissioner for allowing the Angoram DDA for buy firearm to assist the police, here are my series of questions; (1) Can the Police Minister refer to his record and tell the people of Angoram and the people of East Sepik if the department has ever purchased a police vehicle for Angoram district?

(2) Has the Police Department bought firearms for police in Angoram district and other districts as well?
Generalising and mentioning MPs name is not proper at this time.

Some of these senior and high-ranking officers must be aware that this is a time for elections and they must state facts.

If such officers are there, the Minister must replace them with new people who can do the work.

This is a very sensitive issue especially at this time.

Thank you.

Mr WILLIAM ONGLO – Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.

Thank you for the good questions raised by the Member for Angoram.
Mr Deputy Speaker, under the budget for the Members of Parliament and under the budget for all the districts and provinces, there is a component which states that there is a 4 million kina for law and order.

Law and order is broader and covers many sectors such as the CIS, DJAG, Justice and the police.

In the districts we have village magistrates, peace officers and other components to law and order.

I would sometimes struggle to do a break up and allocate the million kina into different divisions.
However, I want to thank the governors and the Members on the Floor of Parliament for allocating funds to support us with police vehicles, uniforms, trainings, fuels, police accommodations, and constructions of police stations.

I want to thank you all on behalf of the RPNGC for doing a lot for the Police Department.

In regards to the two questions raised by the Member for Angoram, I can assure you that buying of firearms usually comes from the request of the districts.
Sometimes some districts don’t have firearms or may have faulty or old firearms.

Coming back to the police, there is a little request which the Commissioner will look at and we will allow for three or four guns, which is enough for a district; we cannot allow for 50 to 60 guns.

It’s like buying police uniforms or a car.

Basically, police need firearms, projectiles, tear gas, armoury and vests to carry out their duties.

If MPs are buying them, we welcome the support.


These things will not be used to kill our people; they are here to enable the police to carry out their duties.

Mr Deputy Speaker, in regards to the newspaper article; I have not seen it so I will try and have a look at it.

Sometimes we have this issue where reporters would go down to the province and district level to collect information and then confuse everyone.

So, we are trying to control media statement from the police force going out.
It is best that any information collected at the district level or PPCs, are brought to the Headquarters to verify then publish in the media, otherwise, all the good work we are doing will be tarnished.

So, Member for Angoram, through you, Mr Deputy Speaker, I’ll find out how this information reached the media and get back to you.

Thank you.
Thank you.

04/01 DEPARTMENT OF PRIME MINISTER & NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORTS FOR THE YEARS 2019, 2020 AND 2021 Mr JAMES MARAPE (Tari–Pori Open Prime Minister and Minister for Bougainville Affairs) – Mr Speaker, I stand before this Honourable House to present the Annual Reports for 2019, 2020 and 2021 for the Department of Prime Minister and NEC.
5 This report is a statutory requirement under Section 22 of the Prime Minister and NEC Act 2002, Section 32 (1) (a) of the Public Service (Management) Act 1995, and Section 5 (2c) of the Public Finance (Management) Act 1995.

These annual performance reports collectively give accounts of achievements that helps us to measure our performance in terms of our mandate as a coordinating and monitoring agency of important sectoral policies and decisions we have made by far.
This is pursuant to our key government fundamental philosophy or policy to make or to realize our "Take Back PNG" policy of this Government and our intention to make Papua New Guinea become economically independent and more so giving a focus on our rural economy which should round up to some achievements we as a government have done in the last three years.
Mr Speaker, as our country’s eighth Prime Minister of a country of thousand tribes, and on reflection, I must admit that the last three years, has never been a smooth sailing given the increasing politically and legislative challenges, as well as the adverse impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic.
Despite these challenges and the challenging circumstances that prevailed and weighed heavily on our economy, we have overcomed and we were able to make notable substantial progress in some specific areas especially those areas we set up to do for our nation.

Mr Speaker, my department’s coordination role in the past three years through the whole of government approach has yielded some positive results.
These below are some of the highlights; In the Economic Sector, we have for instance budgeted K200 million consistently for SME program in partnership with our two partner banks, the BSP and NDB.

But there is an increasing volume of lending especially at BSP by Papua New Guinean entrepreneurs and Micro Small Medium Enterprise.
05/01 They are low-cost borrowing and low-interest rate borrowings with longer repayment period and this is having an effect on the economy and Papua New Guineans out there in terms of doing business.

We have commenced our review on the Foreign Investment Regulation (Amendment) Act, we have enacted the Oil and Gas (Amendment) Act 2020, the Mining (Amendment) Act 2020 and the Mineral Resources Development Company Limited (Amendment) Act 2020.
We have approved the environmental permit for Walfi-Golpu Project and we have granted the special mining lease 11 to Kumul Mineral Holdings.

6 At the back of this, we have negotiated a new Porgera benefit sharing with Barrick where 51 per cent of the total equity comes to Papua New Guinea including 15 per cent at no cost free-carry, to our landowners and provincial governments.

We have imposed ban on export of round logs to be effective in 2025.

We have completed the review of the Forestry Act 1991.
We have finalized the enhanced national determined contributions for Papua New Guinea to ensure Papua New Guinea is responsive in our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We have established the Kumul Agriculture Holdings Limited as our state vehicle for agriculture businesses.

We have established the Freight Subsidy for local agriculture products.
Agricultural farming families and businesses in Henganofi, Goroka and up in the highlands are able to access Port Moresby market with support in our freight subsidy to shipping companies that operate in that route.

We have enacted the Central Banking (Amendment) Act 2020, the Income Tax (Papua LNG Production Levy) (Amendment) Act 2020, and the Income Tax (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2020.

We have achieved Papua New Guinea benefits of 63 per cent in P’nyang after negotiations.
We have allowed Papua LNG to progress beyond sustaining and we have given full support in some of the laws that were outstanding to be passed for Papua LNG.

And, we have also launched the Fisheries Strategic Plan 2020 to 2030.

Some of the headline achievements and laws that we have passed is an indication of our support in the economic sector.
Mr Deputy Speaker, some of the key achievements in the infrastructure sector are as follows: - Completion of Phase One of Connect Papua New Guinea 2020 to 2040 The connect Papua New Guinea initiative was launched and we are starting phase one.

Let me indicate to you, Mr Speaker, as we speak, the roads are being run all over the country.

For the last three weekends, I was out to see the roads in the country.
For instance, three Fridays ago, I was able to connect the last five metres of the missing link in the middle of Semberiki and I was privileged to have driven myself from Semberiki into Kikori.

That was following on from the previous weekend where I was privileged to witness 53 kilometres of the Maramuni road.

The road was built from the Laiagam side into Maramuni, finally connected by road.

Over 300 trucks were able to travel into Maramuni to celebrate that occasion.
7 Last Easter Friday, I was at the opening of the Handra Bridge in the Yangoru-Saussia District.

These are some examples of the many programs that are running all over the country in respect to connecting Papua New Guinea.

We have a road now over the Hindenburg Wall facing Telefomin for the first time.

We have roads now being punched from Lae into Finschhafen going up to Kabwum facing Tewai- Siassi.

And of course, some of the major Connect PNG program contracts have already been issued.
06/01 So, phase one of Connect PNG has started and it is operating as we speak; shifting our focus away from one or two hotspots and more into linking rural Papua New Guinea where 90 percent of our people exist.

• Upgraded key power grids under National Electrification Roll-Plan (NEROP).

• Endorsement of Specific Pricing Principles for the Coral Sea Cable (C2).

• Endorsement of Energy Industry (Amendment) Bill 2020.

It is now operating which we have the now the National Energy Authority operating.
• Endorsement of the Civil Aviation Regulation 2020.

• Endorsement of Road Fund and Management Bill 2020.

It quarantines 5.6 per cent allocation of budgets going forward to just road sector in our country.

So that into the future, roads are given adequate funding.

• Endorsement of the Small Craft Act and establishment of Provincial Boards and Registries.

• Endorsement of the National Shipping Services Program (NSSP).

• Developed key projects under National Waterways and Safety Project.
• Upgraded 85 percent of the Rural Airstrip under the Rural Airstrip Rehabilitation Program.

• Launched the Tokua Airport Redevelopment project.

• Launched the Nazab Airport Redevelopment project.

• Implemented Phase One of the Highlands Highway under the Sustainable Highlands Highway Improvement Program (SHHIP).

• Concluded the K2.5 billion Infrastructure Financing Agreement with the Government of Australia.
8 • Concluded the Master Development Agreement (MDA) with the Fortesque Future Industries (FFI) for Green Energy development.

• Launched the 30-year Port Infrastructure Program 2020-2050 for all Ports in our country.

• Completed Phase two of the SOE review program and some of the things that we have done.
Mr Deputy Speaker, in the international relations space, my government continues to proactively engage with our bilateral and multilateral partners and many of them have responded positively with technical, development and financial assistance to help us not only mitigate through this adverse impact of Covid-19 but also growing our rural economy.
Mr Speaker, I must place on record that in my engagement with international partners in the past three years, I continue to encourage investors to venture into downstream processing of our natural resources such as timber, cocoa, copra, fisheries, oil and gas and in doing so add value to them before exporting to overseas markets.
And all the bilateral nations which I visited, Australia, New Zealand, China, Indonesia and Philippians have given indications that this is to be supported not just at a bilateral level but also in terms of the investors they have in their respective countries.

Mr Speaker, as a way forward, a number of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) have already been signed between us and bilateral partners to set the basis for progressing this agenda of downstream.
Mr Speaker, aside from that, other bilateral partners such as Australia in particular have provided direct budgetary support for the first time in many years.

At this time, I would like to commend our Treasurer for working very hard to ensure that at the bilateral level, repo is maintained.

In doing so, we have seen combination of aid as well as soft lending, at zero per cent with five percent interest.
Unlike lending like Credit Suisse at eight percent for two-year repayment just in comparison, we have gone out and did very soft borrowings clear of bad debts that we inherited into our government books and we are re- constructing for the future going forward.

So, Australia has provided us direct budget support both concessional lending as well as grant.

We have also, for instance; borrowed K280 million from the Japanese Government, they landed at 0.01 per cent for a five-year grace period.
It simply means that the loan will be repaid after five years.

The rate of the borrowing is at 0.01 per cent interest.

9 Those are the borrowings we are getting, unlike the former Prime Minster who borrowed from Credit Suisse with a repayment of over a billion kina in two years.

07/01 This borrowing we obtained from credible lenders and multilateral partners have given five-year grace period; Australia gave zero per cent interest and Japan 0.01 per cent interest.
The grace period starts after five years and we have 15 years of repayment.

These are what we have done at the back of credibility restored for our nation to open transparent work that the Treasurer has been doing with minimal disturbance from us at the Prime Minister’s Department.

Unlike in the past, the Prime Minister’s Department were everyday disturbing the Treasury.

And aside from the other bilateral partners, Japan, ADB, World Bank and IMF have supported very well.
Mr Speaker, below are some highlights in the international relationship.

We signed PNG Australia Comprehensive Strategy Economic Partnership and we had a statement of intent on trade and investment with Japan.

And we signed an MOU on down streaming and we were more focused on fisheries with China.

The International Monetary Fund provided concessional financing and again for the first-time direct budget support with zero per cent interest and that had a five-year grace period all built into this.
Mr Speaker, it is not easy to get direct budget support unless credibility is maintained and restored.

Our Treasurer and system have sought credibility to the way we are doing business here in Papua New Guinea.

That is why you hear people giving direct budget support.

In the Governance sector we have enacted the whistle-blowers’ Act and I thank the former Minister and Attorney General, the Honourable Davis Steven, who was instrumental in the Whistle Blower’s Act.
And again, under our government’s insistence I thank him and all the leaders who were present when we passed the Organic Law on Independent Commission Against Corruption that was much talked about for 30 years.
Mr Speaker, this generation of leaders sitting with me and those also on the other side, we have all delivered in our time in Parliament and with ICCAC now enacted and we are now going into the process of recruiting competent independent commissioners so that they could work in prosecuting corruption in our country.

We have initiated a Commission of Inquiry on UBS.

There was a cry by our people to relook into those transactions.
When I accepted the report from the UBS Commission of Inquiry, I made the fundamental statement; ‘No executive government must be immune from scrutiny by the country if the future demands scrutiny.’ And that includes some transactions or 10 all transactions that we are doing as an executive government.

The country deserves scrutiny and scrutiny must be made and if no law was broken, those of us who made those decisions do not need to worry.
So, the inquiry report on the UBS will be tabled in Parliament tomorrow.

We will have privy into what was transacted, it was a world-class inquiry that was able to gather all evidences and I will give an associated statement in regards to the inquiry and for us to take the cue from that report on wards and render prosecution and grant restitution where needed as far as trying to claim for loss of revenue that Papua New Guinea citizens face as a result of the UBS transaction.
Of course, in terms of the governance sector, we did complete Bougainville Post Referendum and completed the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and work plan and also some other key achievements in the law and justice sector.

We enacted a Joint Forces College of Papua New Guinea Act 2020 for the first time so we have a combined joint force college in terms of our law and order response.

This has been established in Igam, Lae, Morobe Province.
We have also piloted the police stations of excellence in Waigani Police Station and we will be establishing the Defense Forward Operating Base (FOB) and a new battalion up in the Hela province to attend to lawlessness in the region where all our key assets including Porgera Gold, LNG, the gas and oil fields and the border areas.

08/01 We enacted Emergency (Defence Force) (COVID-19) Act 2020.
Mr Deputy Speaker, some of the key achievements for the health sector include: • Established the Provincial Health Authorities and amendments to Provincial Health Authorities Act 2020 and Regulations.

• The National Pandemic Act 2020 was passed in Parliament on the 12th of June, 2020, • COVID-19 National Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan, • Enactment of the Radiation Safety and Control Act 2020 and Regulations, which has been absent for us for so long and many have died of cancer.
We finally brought it up and passed it into law and is currently assisting in procurement to support the efforts of fighting cancer in our country.

•Improve Health Infrastructure and major impact health projects: Hospital and District Hospitals and National Laboratory and Cancer centre and Institute at Port Moresby General Hospital and Angau.

I am pleased to announce that the specialist referral hospital both in Port Moresby and Angau are in very advanced stage.
In the not-too-distant future, Papua New 11 Guineans will not go Philippines or Australia for heart or cancer treatment.

Our Port Moresby General Hospital and Angau will be our referral hospitals here.

They will probably be ready by September this year.

• Launched the National Health Plan 2021 -2030.


Mr Deputy Speaker, key achievements for the Education Sector include: • Endorsed Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), giving interest free loans to our students who need help in our colleges and universities.
• Replaced Tuition Fee Free (TFF) with Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTS) • Developed the Education Sector Development Plan 2023 - 2027 • Launched the National Education Plan 2021 - 2030 • Enacted Higher Education Reforms key legislations in parliament • Enacted Higher Education Reform legislation • Launched the Early Childhood Education Policy in 2020.

• Rolled out FODE and TVET Programs.


Key achievements for the Community Development • Lukautim Pikinini Act was passed, • Implementation of GESI • Established Community Development Centres (CDCs) • National Disability Act was passed, • The first ever public inquiry on addressing Gender Based Violence in PNG by the Special Parliamentary Committee on Gender Base Violence • Presented Universal Periodic Country Report in Geneva.
Mr Deputy Speaker, key achievements for the administrative, province & district services • Enacted Public Service (Management)(Amendment) Act 2020.

• Draft Bill on the National Planning and Monitoring Responsibility Act 2021.
• Costing of Services Study Report endorsed by Cabinet 2021, • Report on the Review of the Electoral Boundaries, • Bi-partisan Special Parliamentary Committee on Public Sector Reform established 2019, • Parliament endorsed Review Recommendations of the Organic Law on National and Local-Level Government Elections, 12 • Parliament endorsed Review Recommendations of the Organic Law on Provincial and Local-Level Government, • Organic Law on Decentralization 2020 (Bill).
• Services Delivery Partnership Agreements signed in 2019 for Enga Province, New Ireland Province, East New Britain Province.

• Commenced review of the Inter-Government Financing Act.

Mr Deputy Speaker, my government has supported and successfully tabled the following Bills and Legislations in Parliament.
In 2019 - 30 Bills and legislations were endorsed by NEC and passed in Parliament and these were the key ones: • Public Money Management Regulation (Amendment) Act 2019; • Public Finance (Management)(Amendment) Act 2019; and • Papua New Guinea Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) Act 2019 09/01 • Public Money Management Regulation (Amendment) Act 2019; • Public Finance (Management)(Amendment) Act 2019; • Papua New Guinea Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) Act 2019; • Employment of Non-Citizen (Amendment) Act 2019; • Special Economic Zones Authority Act 2019; • OK Tedi Environment Management Act 2019; • Oil and Gas (Amendment) Act 2019; • Resource Contracts Fiscal Stabilization (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2019; • Price Regulation (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2019; • Konebada Petroleum Park Authority (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2019; • Insurance (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2019; • Income Tax Dividend (Withholding)Tax & Interest (Withholding)Tax Rates (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2019; • Income Tax (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2019; • Radiation Safety and Country Act 2019; • National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (Amendment) Act 2019; • Forestry (Amendment) Act 2019; 13 • Conservation and Environment Authority (Amendment) Act 2019; In 2020, 43 Bills and Legislations were also endorsed by my government and passed in Parliament and these were major ones: • University of Papua New Guinea (Amendment) Act 2020; • University of Goroka (Amendment) Act 2020; • Road (Management and Fund) Act 2020; • Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Amendment) Act 2020; • PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment (Amendment) Act 2020; • National Training Council (Amendment) Act 2020; • Higher Education (General Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2020; • Higher and Technical Education Reform Act 2020; • Education (Amendment) Act 2020; • Customs (2021 Budget) (Amendment) Act 2020; • Stamp Duties (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2020; • Oil & Gas (Papua LNG Project
 Production Levy) (Amendment) Act 2020; • Insurance (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2020; • Income Tax (Papua LNG Project Thin Capitalisation) (Amendment) Act 2020; • Income Tax (Papua LNG Project Production Levy) (Amendment) Act 2020; • Income Tax (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2020; • Superannuation (General Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2020; • Public Services (Management) (Consequential Amendment) Act 2020; • Prime Minister & National Executive Council (Amendment NO.
2) Act 2020; • National Water Supply and Sanitation (Amendment) Act 2020; • The Joint Forces College of Papua New Guinea Act 2020; • PNG Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) Act 2020; • Central Banking (Amendment) Act 2020; • Prime Minister & National Executive Council (Amendment) Act 2020; • Oil & Gas (Amendment) Act 2020; • Mining (Amendment) Act 2020; • Mineral Resources Development Company Limited Authorisation Act 2020; • National Pandemic Act 2020; 14 • United Church in Papua New Guinea Incorporation Act 2020; • Whistle-blower Act 2020; • Public Service (Management)(Amendment) Act 2020; • Quarantine (Amendment) Act 2020; • Public Health (Amendment) Act 2020; • Emergency (General Provisions) (COVlD 19) Act 2020; and • Emergency (Defence Force) (COVID-19) Act 2020; Mr Speaker, in 2021 there were 40 Bills and Legislations supported by my government and passed in Parliament and the major ones include the following: • Dangerous Drugs (Amendment No.l) Act 2021; • Oil and Gas (Pnyang LNG Project) Act 2021; • Controlled Substance Act 2021; • Climate Change (Management) (Amendment) Act 2021; • National Capital District Commission (Amendment) Act 2021; • Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act 2021; • Connect PNG (Implementation and Funding Arrangements) Act 2021; • Central Banking (Amendment) Act 2021; • Public Finances (Management)(Amendment) Act 2021; • District Development Authority (Amendment) Act 2021; • National Procurement (Amendment) Act 2021; • Kumul Consolidated Holdings Authorisation (Amendment) Act 2021; • Public Service (Management)(Amendment) Act 2021; • Oil and Gas (Papua LNG Project) (Amendment) Act 2021; • National Energy Authority Act 2021; and • Electricity Industry (Amendment) Act 2021; Mr Speaker, as we conclude our term as members of the 10th Parliament and as I conclude my term as the 8th Prime Minister of this 10th Parliament, I would like to inform all members in this House that my government has laid a firm foundation for the future economic growth and prosperity of this country and I hope that the next government will carry on the legacy that my government has left behind.
15 Whilst fiscal infrastructure development maybe seen as an evidence of progress, fundamentally the laws and public policy that governances our operation are important.
10/01 In these last three years, whilst we’ve been delivering work and delivering on budget expectations, I think on record, the Tenth Parliament especially on this side, when we were in office in the last three years under tough times, the Prime Minister and NEC Department and all the Members of the Parliament have given good support that we truly been utilising our time as legislators delivering some fundamental legislations to make it happen for our country going forward, Thank you Mr Deputy Speaker.
Motion (by Mr Lekwa Gure) agreed to – That Parliament take note of the Paper.

Mr LEKWA GURE (Rigo) – I ask leave of Parliament to make a short comment in relation to the reports.

Leave granted Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.


firstly, I want to congratulate the Prime Minister for presenting the Annual Reports for the Prime Minister Department and NEC for the years of 2019, 2020, and 2021, in the report it enumerates the legislations that were passed on the Floor of this Parliament in the years 2019, 2020 and 2021.

This shows the fulfilment of this legislature role and our role as Members of this Parliament, as legislators or law makers.
However, my point is that if the information we presenting is to be useful, it must be current.

I’m not particularly referring in today’s presentation of the annual report.

I think from past, reports from other Departments and other sectors, the reports are made for 2 to 3 years from the same report.

So, if the information is going to be useful to the users, then it’s got to be current.
So, what I’m trying to say here is, if the reports can be presented year by year, or if not in every two years, as we have lots of departments and sectors that are required to present their annual reports on this Floor of Parliament.

Maybe we could rationalise this, and allocate different departments or sectors to present their reports on an annual basis or every two years.
So not every department should be required to present their reports annually, as we know from 16 experience, not all the departments and sectors present their reports every year anyway.

So, that’s the main comment I wanted to make it in relations to the report in a general sense.

I want to make some specific remarks in relation to the aviation sector.
Its pleasing to see in the report that the Civil Aviation Regulation 2020 was endorsed by the Cabinet in 2020, and that was the proposal for the drafting instructions for the Civil Aviation Regulations to return, which is still being processed.

Currently we have the Civil Aviation Act, and in the Act, there is no special provision for penalties.
In this instance the regulation prescribes the penalties that will be applied to aviation documenter holders, for example, if a licence holder or operator breaks any rule in relation to the Civil Aviation Act then they can be penalised.

Currently, they are not able to enforces those regulation because there are no provisions in the Civil Aviation Act, so this regulation is very important.

Once they are passed, that gives the Civil Aviation Safety Authority the power to enforce those provisions.
11/01 In relation to the rural airstrips; this is a very important sector.

When we talk about the Connect-PNG Programs we are actually talking about main highways connecting province to province and district to district.

The majority of our people live in the rural areas where there are no road links.

Since the rural airstrip programs are very important, my recommendation would be, let’s not pay lip service to this important area.
Give it the necessary funding as agreed to by the government so that they can carry out their work in connecting our people who live in those rural communities.

In relation to major airports like Nazab and Tokua, and the report should also include Kavieng airport as well, because it was also launched in 2020.

Not forgetting the Momase region airports, like Madang, Wewak and Vanimo which are being upgraded to Fokker 100 standard.
I want to finish off by making this general remark in relation to Nazab airport; when this project was launched under the redevelopment program it was to be developed to a standard where it will become an alternate for the Port Moresby Jacksons Airport, for the Boeing 767.
I have forgotten what the specifications are; but if the project is going to be an alternate for Port Moresby Jacksons Airport for the Boeing 767 or a similar aircraft, then it should be built at least to a minimum standard of 2.5 kilometres, with the width of 45 meters because as this is the standard for category D aircraft or Boeing 767 and other similar size aircraft.
17 In relation to the airports that receive the Boeing 767 in the likes of Kagamuka airport in Mt Hagen, Gurney airstrips and others, they should be at least built to 2.2 kilometres.

I had an experience when I went to Gurney last week to attend the southern region youth games; my wife even commented that when we landed, the pilot had to step on the brakes for the aeroplane comes to a screeching halt and that’s because the runways are not very long so the pilots need to do that.
So, in order to give comfort to the pilots and the passengers and make those operations safe, they must be built on a land that is adequate for them to come to a stop in a more gradual manner than having to step on the brakes and come to screeching halt.

So, with those few comments, once again, I want to congratulates the Prime Minister for presenting the annual reports for his department and NEC for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker.


Motion – That the question be put – agreed to.

Motion – That the Paper be noted – agreed to.

Paper noted.

12/01 TREATY DOCUMENT – AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNATIONAL RADIO REGULATIONS AND RATIFICATION OF THE FINAL ACTS OF THE 2019 INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION Mr TIMOTHY MASIU (South Bougainville and Minister for Communications and Information Technology) – Mr Deputy Speaker, pursuant to statute, I present a treaty document to the Honourable House.

Leave granted.
Leave granted.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek leave of Parliament to table the Partial Revision of the International Radio Regulations, as incorporated in the Final Acts of the World Radio Communications Conference 2019 for ratification by this Honourable House.

18 Mr Deputy Speaker, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is the United Nations' specialised agency for information and communication technologies.
The ITU allocates global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develops technical standards and works to improve access to information and communication technologies worldwide.

The ITU has 198 member states.

The purposes of the ITU, which are laid out in article 1 of its Constitution, include maintaining and extending international cooperation between all members for the improvement and rational use of telecommunications of all kinds, including the radio frequency spectrum.
The ITU Constitution and ITU convention are the primary instruments of the ITU, and they set out the rights and obligations of members states of the ITU.

Papua New Guinea has been a member state of the ITU, since Independence.

The cooperative approach to international telecommunication issues facilitated by the ITU is beneficial to Papua New Guinea.

The use of radio spectrum and its roles in today's technology focused society has never been so important.
Most of us make direct use of spectrum in our everyday lives when we use mobile smart phones, laptops, tablets and when we watch television which may receive signals from transmitters on the ground or from satellites that orbit the earth.

Outside these more familiar examples, radio spectrum is also used for many other purposes including for aviation, maritime and by the scientific community for the detection of emissions from space or from the earth itself.
The most important global spectrum harmonisation activity are World Radio Communication Conferences (WRCs).

These Conferences are held approximately every three to four years to review and revise the radio regulations and the regulatory framework generally for international spectrum management and take key decisions concerning the identification and international harmonisation of spectrum bands.

This framework is contained in the radio regulations.
PNG is a signatory to the ITU convention, which is a treaty-level legal instrument that obliges PNG to comply with the Radio Regulations.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the international framework for the management of the radio frequency spectrum is documented in the International Radio Regulations (RRs) as published and maintained by the ITU.

The RRs are a binding international instrument administered by the ITU, under the Constitution and convention of the ITU.
These are part of an international treaty and determine the rights and obligations placed upon national administrations around the use of spectrum in their country relative to spectrum 19 use in all other countries.

Alongside this the RRs also recognise the sovereign right of countries to manage and use spectrum within their borders, the way they wish, subject to not causing interference to other countries' use.
The RRs form an international treaty containing rules and coordination arrangements covering all the different uses of spectrum and are binding on member governments.

The radio regulations set out mandatory technical, operational and regulatory parameters and conditions of use for radiofrequency spectrum and satellite orbits by communications technologies.

13/01 This facilitates equitable access to, and rational use of, the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
In essence, Papua New Guinea radiocommunications services must not cause interference to the services of other countries where those services operate in accordance with the Radio Regulations.

Conversely, Papua New Guinea services are entitled to protection against interference from other countries.

The RRs have, for many years, determined the pattern of spectrum use internationally.
In many cases, it is necessary to do this at international level in order to; (1) avoid or keep international interference to a minimum; (2) facilitate mobility and harmonisation through the identification of global bands (especially important for terminal equipment such as mobile phones); (3) derive benefits from international markets for equipment with resulting economies of scale for operators and users; and (4) recognise the international nature and interference management aspects of some radio services (for example, aeronautical, maritime and satellite services) all require spectrum to be available seamlessly across the nation The purpose of the RR is to ensure the rational, efficient and equitable use of the radiofrequency spectrum.
In this respect, the RRs contain allocations to over 40 radiocommunication services.

They also provide technical, operational and regulatory conditions for the use of the radiofrequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non- geostationary-satellite orbits.

ITU Members are required to ensure that the radio spectrum is used internationally in a manner that will prevent harmful interference to services.
To ensure that the RRs facilitate the introduction of new technical advances, they are periodically reviewed (and may be revised) by the World Radiocommunication Conference.

20 Mr Deputy Speaker, ITU held the last WRC (WRC-19) in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, from 28 October to 22 November 2019.
The National Information & Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) in the exercise of its functions, as mandated by Section 9 (c) of the National Information Communications Technology Act 2009 represented the State at WRC- 2019.

NICTA was supported by industry experts.

WRC-19 considered an agenda of 23 items.


This is considered a large number of agenda items and is a reflection of the complexity of the global radiocommunications environment (a complexity due in part to the rapid introduction of new technologies).

Mr Deputy Speaker, WRC-19 contain numerous changes to the Radio Regulations that are expected to support continuing development and roll out of communications services such as mobile broadband, intelligent transport systems, and scientific applications.
Key decisions include: (1) Wireless Broadband Connectivity This covers spectrum allocations and regulatory provisions around communication systems that would predominantly deliver services to end users.

This includes high profile issues that have a significant citizen and consumer interest such as future spectrum for wireless broadband to support devices such as smartphones, tablet computers and associated consumer products.
(2) Satellite Services This covers spectrum allocations and regulatory provisions around satellite services.

Satellite services are inherently international in nature and therefore are a matter of extensive discussion at every WRC.

14/01 (3) Transport This covers spectrum uses by transport related applications.

Many of these agenda items are of particular interest to the aviation and maritime sectors and the associated regulatory bodies in PNG (i.e.
the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the National Maritime and Safety Authority and the Department of Transport).

These bodies have overarching responsibility to the regulation of the aviation and maritime sectors in our country.
(4) Scientific use of spectrum Issues considered within this section include Radio Astronomy, which is the detection of naturally occurring radio emissions in space; and Earth Exploration Satellite which is the use of radio spectrum for the purposes of mapping and imaging of the earth's surface.

21 Regulatory changes introduced to facilitate rational, efficient and economical use of radio frequencies and associated orbits, including the geostationary-satellite orbit.
(5) WiFi networks Regulatory provisions revised to accommodate both indoor and outdoor usage and the growth in demand for wireless access systems.

(6) Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Integrate ICTs in evolving ITS to connect vehicles, improve traffic management and assist in safer driving.

(7) Broadcasting-satellite service (BSS) Provides protection of frequency assignments, providing a priority mechanism for developing countries to regain access to spectrum orbit resources.
(8) Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Expanded coverage by adding Iridium system and enhancing capabilities of GMDSS for maritime safety.

(9) Promoting gender equality World Radio Conference-19 adopted a declaration that promotes gender equality, equity and parity in the work of the ITU Radio Communications Sector.
The provision of additional allocations of frequency bands to existing and new radio communication services, improved procedures for frequency coordination of radio services, and a more appropriate operational parameter for spectrum licensing.
Mr Deputy Speaker, these key decisions are expected to intensify the development of broadband services, particularly mobile telephony services, facilitate new mobile-satellite services, and provide a more flexible regulatory framework for use of the radio-frequency spectrum.

Papua New Guinea can expect to see new technologies developed in overseas markets that can quickly be deployed within the country.
Mr Deputy Speaker, the World Radio Conference-19 will have an impact on the national spectrum management arrangements, in particular, the update to the National Frequency Allocation Table (NFAT) managed by NICTA.

The NFAT is a comprehensive source of information, provides key data on current and potential radio spectrum allocations in PNG and aims to inform a diverse range of stakeholders, including current and potential users of the radio spectrum.
The RR provide an agreed framework of rights, obligations and procedures applicable between countries in their many uses of the radio-frequency spectrum.

22 However, in exercise of its sovereign rights, Papua New Guinea reserves the right to structure its National Spectrum Plans including NFAT to suit national requirements.
The NFAT is intended to respond to Papua New Guinea's domestic radio spectrum requirements, and consequently, reflects national spectrum allocation and utilization policies developed through public consultation.
Papua New Guinea’s obligations under the Radio Regulations are implemented through the Papua New Guinea Radio Frequency Spectrum Plans (RSP) including the NFAT, which is prepared by the National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA), in accordance with the National ICT Act 2009.

15/01 The existing RSP will be updated by NICTA to take account of the WRC-19.
NICTA will also progressively reflect the new technical provisions in the management of the radio frequency spectrum in licences granted under the National ICT Authority 2009.

No amendments to the Act or Regulations are anticipated or required.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the WRC-19 revisions of the Radio Regulations entered into force on 1 January, 2021.
For a member that has not notified its consent by 1 January, 2021, the revisions wilt apply provisionally until the member notifies whether it consents to be bound and will enter into force for that State from the date it notifies its consent to be bound.

If PNG fails to notify its decision within a period of thirty-six months, that is by 1 January, 2024, it will be deemed to have consented to be bound by the revisions (Article 54 of the ITU Constitution).
Ratification would be consistent with PNG's position at the conference.

Conversely, failure to ratify these minor amendments is likely to reflect poorly on Papua New Guinea's standing within the ITU.

Given that the current amendments are acceptable to Papua New Guinea, it is preferable that Papua New Guinea enters its ratification prior to 1 January, 2024.
If the amendments are not ratified, PNG may be disadvantaged in the long-run due to other countries not recognising PNG when coordinating satellites and frequency usage.

This could potentially lead to interference to PNG's existing satellite and terrestrial-based services.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Papua New Guinea derives ongoing benefits from the ITU's work through such matters as the framework for international connectivity and development of standards for new telecommunication services.
23 In addition, the radio spectrum management framework has enabled a high utilisation of the radio spectrum in Papua New Guinea using standardised equipment sourced on world markets.

The changes to the Radio Regulations are largely technical in nature and include additional allocations of selected frequency bands to radiocommunications services, improved procedures for coordination of radio services, and more appropriate operational parameters for licensing.
These are expected to intensify the development of broadband services, facilitate new mobile-satellite services, and provide a more flexible regulatory framework for use of the radio frequency spectrum.

As such Papua New Guinea can expect to see new technologies developed in overseas markets that will quickly be deployed within Papua New Guinea.

There are no perceived disadvantages to ratification.
Changes to the Radio Regulations are of a technical nature and do not disadvantage Papua New Guinea in any way.

However, they impact on Papua New Guinea and therefore, National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) as the spectrum manager, pursuant to the National ICT Act 2009, need to ensure the National Allocation Frequency Allocation Table is updated and complies with Treaty Agreements.

Mr Deputy Speaker, PNG made a general reservation to the proposed Final Acts at the WRC-19.
PNG reserved the right to take measures it might deem necessary to safeguard its interests if another Member State fails to respect the conditions in the Final Acts or if reservations made by any Member State are prejudicial to radiocommunication services in Papua New Guinea or its full sovereign rights.
16/01 Most of the revisions from the WRC-19 apply to Papua New Guinea provisionally from 1 January 2021, and would only formally enter into force if PNG notifies the Secretary-General of the ITU of its consent to be bound or if consent is deemed because PNG has failed to provide notification of its decision within 36 months - by 1 January 2024.
In accordance with the ITU Constitution, the general reservation made by Papua New Guinea would remain in force provided that PNG maintains the reservation when notifying the Secretary General of its consent to be bound.

Mr Speaker, the proposed final Act contains the revisions to the Radio Regulations agreed at the WRC-19.

The Outcomes of WRC-19 are consistent with the rational and efficient use of Papua New Guinea's sovereign assets in the radio frequency spectrum.
The revisions agreed at WRC-19 contain numerous changes to the radio regulations that are expected to 24 benefit Papua New Guinea by supporting continued development and roll out of communication services.

There is no disadvantage to Papua New Guinea consenting to the revisions to the radio regulations and taking the proposed treaty action.
Papua New Guinea retains its sovereign right to control transmissions within its territory and to protect Papua New Guinea users from interference from foreign systems.
The principal benefits for Papua New Guinea arising from the revisions are: • the provision of more bandwidth supporting mobile broadband services; • improved connectivity on airplanes and ships; • increased global satellite broadband availability and competition in the non- geostationary satellite orbit market; • expanded capacity and coverage, particularly in the provision of Global Maritime Distress and Safety System satellite services for maritime services; • improved protection for radio sciences; and access for developing countries to satellite orbits International cooperation on radiocommunications promotes enabling conditions, including policy and regulatory certainty and inter-operable technology standards, for the efficient use of PNG's sovereign assets in the radio spectrum.
The WRC-19 revisions to the Radio Regulations are in PNG's national interest and it is recommended that binding treaty action be taken.

Mr Speaker, I commend the ratification of the Final Acts of the ITU WRC-19 to this honorable House.

17/01 The Motion requiring an absolute majority of 56 Members to be carried, Mr Deputy Speaker ordered that the Bells be rung.
The Parliament voted (the Deputy Speaker in the Chair) – 18/01 AYES – 65 25 NOES – 0 Mr RAINBO PAITA (Finchhafen-Minister for National Planning and Implementation) – I want to thank Honourable Members of this House for attending even though we are approaching the dates set for the National Election.

I thank Members on this side of the House and the Opposition side as well, who have been faithfully coming in this meeting and in the last meeting as well.
I commend them and in this last Parliament before we rise for our general elections.

ADJOURNMENT Motion (by Mr Rainbo Paita) agreed to – That the Parliament do now adjourn.

19/01 Mr RAINBO PAITA (Minister for National Planning & Monitoring) – this is your last days in this Parliament, before we rise for our General Elections, with that.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I moved the Parliament will adjourn tomorrow at 10 a.m, thank you.

The Parliament adjourned at 4.05 p.m. 26