The Queensland Maroons have taken a 1-0 series lead away from home, holding on for a 16-10 win over the Blues in Origin I in Sydney. Maroons five-eighth Cameron Munster put on another masterful display for his state as the underdog Queensland side won a rapid, gritty affair. With game two in Perth and a potential decider in Brisbane coming up, the win on enemy soil is a massive step for the Maroons towards winning the shield they have only held aloft once since 2017. Back in front of their home fans for the first time since the second game two years ago, the Blues drew first blood with a slick move out to the left for Jack Wighton to power through some retreating defence. On the other side, the Maroons lost left winger Xavier Coates to a nasty ankle injury, after he got it trapped under former Broncos teammate Kotoni Staggs on a trademark charge. The reshuffled Maroons instead went right for their first try, with a Kalyn Ponga bounce pass sending debutant Selwyn Cobbo down the wing, and he grubbered back in-field for Dane Gagai to score his 12th Origin try. Valentine Holmes's conversion allowed Queensland to take a 6-4 lead into half-time, but only after Junior Paulo had a try taken off him for an obstruction with a minute left in the half. With the all-important first try after half-time up for grabs, Munster made a typically elusive jinking run through the middle, with Daniel Tupou knocking down a Ponga pass to stop more points. But from the back of the ensuing scrum, captain Daly Cherry-Evans skipped over untouched under the posts. When Ponga put Holmes over with a brilliant cut-out pass soon after, the Maroons had 25 minutes to defend a 12-point lead. The tiring Blues finally got a look at the attacking end of the field thanks to a rare penalty, and made it count, with Jarome Luai sending Cameron Murray over in the 72nd minute. But the Maroons held on for the final minutes, with Felise Kaufusi and Ponga making the vital final tackle of the game to stop Isaah Yeo under the posts in the final seconds. Source: ABC News

Western Highlands 2022 Election Operations Commander Superintendent John Sagom said a Police investigation team has been dispatched to investigate and arrest suspects involved in the oil spill at the Kagamuga airport tarmac in the Western Highlands Province. Commander Sagom confirmed that suspects entered the Kagamuga airport in the early hours of Tuesday morning and spilled oil on the airport tarmac causing airline operators to suspend all flights into and out of Mt Hagen. Mr Sagom strongly condemned the act saying it is an act of “terrorism” and vowed to investigate the incident thoroughly and arrest those involved. “This is an act of terrorism. We will get to the bottom of this. I’m calling on the general public to come forward with any information that will assist the police arrest and charge those who are responsible for this act of terrorism. “Let me remind the people of Western Highlands of the wider implications of what has happened here. The rest of Western Highlands, the highlands and PNG is bigger than Mt Hagen. Leaders have to be sensible and responsible. What is happening in Mt Hagen does not speak well for the local leadership if they are going to resort to such acts of terrorism, threats, force and intimidation to have it their way,” Mr Sagom said. There was also heavy police and Defence Force presence mounted around the airport vicinity and within the Mt Hagen township area. Superintendent Sagom said there was a brief moment of concern in Mt Hagen town on Wednesday morning but that was contained by swift response from the Police and PNG Defence Force personnel on the ground. Commander Sagom said a group of disgruntled members of the community living around the Kagamuga airport area staged a peaceful protest march to Kagamuga airport whilst another group staged a protest march in Newtown along the Okuk Highway, blocking off commuters traveling into Mt Hagen town from the upper highlands. The protesters aired their grievances over the appointment and handling of the Mt Hagen Open Returning Officer’s (RO) post. Commander Sagom called on the leaders respect the democratic election process to take place and further appealed to them to take control of the situation and work with the security forces to ensure such acts of terrorism does not occur again.

Chairman of the Inter-Departmental Election Committee, Ivan Pomaleu, has clarified candidates’ ineligibility to contest the 2022 National General Elections. Mr Pomaleu said the Constitutional Electoral Reform of 2002 provides that a person who has been convicted of any indictable offence after the insertion of this law, is not eligible to contest these general elections or subsequent elections. “The law permanently disqualified a candidate for becoming a Member of Parliament. A person convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than nine (9) months, from 2002 to current, is disqualified from contesting.” Mr Pomaleu further clarified that the PNG Electoral Commission should not allow such persons to nominate for public office as this makes mockery of and undermines the country’s electoral process. Mr Pomaleu also emphasised on the laws covering dual citizenship of candidates, adding that Section 50 of the Constitution provides the right to vote and stand for public office. “However, despite this provision that provides the freedom to vote and stand for election, it has now been amended in 2014.” Mr Pomaleu said under the amendment, a person who has dual citizenship of another country is ineligible to contest. Mr Pomaleu further explained the laws on endorsement of candidates, saying that under Section 60 of the Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties, does not allow a registered political party to endorse more than one candidate in each electorate. “A registered political party who endorses more than one candidate in an electorate, is guilty and is fined K5, 000,” he said.

Around 50 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel arrived this afternoon in Port Moresby to provide support for this year’s National General Elections. At the request of the Government of Papua New Guinea, the ADF will be providing logistics and air mobility support to the elections under Operation Kimba or OP KIMBA. This is part of the broader support provided by Australia in preparation for the 2022 PNG National General Elections. [caption id="attachment_22137" align="alignnone" width="594"] ADF OP KIMBA will also provide logistics and air mobility support to the elections.[/caption] OP KIMBA will see over 130 ADF personnel, two C-27J Spartan and a C130J Hercules aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force, working alongside the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF), to assist the PNG Electoral Commission to distribute electoral materials throughout the country. An initial enabling contingent of OP KIMBA had arrived in the country last week.

The people of Vanimo in West Sepik Province today witnessed a milestone occasion withe the opening of a state-of-the-art Terminal Building with an extended runway which they will enjoy . National Airports Corporation said the new luxurious facility which represents a modern facade and came about from the governments Civil Aviation Development Initiative Program which China Railway Company constructed over a four year period. National Airports Corporation Chief Executive Officer Rex Kiponge boasted that the Vanimo Terminal facility was constructed carefully and installed with the latest and the best equipments and technology to reflect the growth and development aspirations of West Sepik Province going into the future. He said an additional extension of 300m to the aircraft runway further extended the runway to 1960m from the previous length of 1660m will now mean larger planes with more capacity can land and the airport and passenger can enjoy the spacious interior which can accommodate up to 100 people. The terminal is fitted and well resourced with modern facilities, including departure and arrival lounges, passenger check-in counters, baggage conveyor belt, security screening machines, toilet facilities, a kiosks, air-conditioning and other services. Mr. Kiponge said the Terminal was constructed to NAC standards at a cost of K28.8m funded by the PNG government with support from the Asian Development Bank. Mr. Kiponge challenged the people of the greater Sandaun to take care of the facility & most of all, take pride in their new and modern Terminal.

The Marape Government on return to office will combat corruption in high places with renewed vigor. Prime Minister and Leader of the Pangu Pati James Marape said this when announcing that among other cases, the UBS loan scandal especially will be one of his government’s main targets. Mr Marape said the Pangu Pati and his government remained steadfast in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s anti-corruption drive. Mr Marape said his government had already consolidated these efforts through passage of anti-corruption legislation including the ICAC Bill, Proceeds of Crime Bill, Whistle Blowers Act and others including dangerous drugs, family violence, National Pandemic Act and lots more. “We will return to office with renewed vigour to recover the billions of Kina that were deceitfully and illegally siphoned out of the people’s Treasury by the previous government whom we had to boot out to save the nation from total collapse three years ago,” Mr Marape said. “I made this commitment on the floor of Parliament when I presented the 15-volumed UBS Report and my Government will not stop there because this country was being thrown away to the dogs by the O’Neill government. “Had the Pangu-led government turned a blind eye on this disaster, no one would have noticed the K3 billion belonging to the people of Papua New Guinea disappear without a trace. “The international community was laughing at our gullibility in what was a whirlwind of abnormal and highly irregular transaction costing Papua New Guinea and its people billions in Dollars and Kina which just vaporized into thin air without any returns whatsoever. “And now certain leaders have the audacity to attempt diverting the attention of voters away from the glaring daylight billion Kina free give-away in this totally ill-fated and disastrous K3 billion UBS loan by blaming us for the financial mess they caused, and which we are repairing. “They should explain to the voters of Papua New Guinea why they meticulously planned to sell out the country in this manner and rob them of their billions. “I want the voters and our supporters throughout Papua New Guinea to know that one of Pangu Pati’s main pillars of good governance is strengthening the country’s anti-corruption laws and introducing news ones that will ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the economy and delivery of services to the people. “Let me assure our voters and supporters that when we get back into government, we will not rest until we recover what are rightfully the people’s millions from the doomed UBS loan. “Our Government had the guts and the political will to pursue the UBS loan and set up the Commission of Inquiry which revealed the barefaced breaching of every possible financial legislation, procedures and processes in this highly irregular, ill-conceived and ill-advised exercise. “Under that same unflagging resolve, we will pursue full recovery by all means the lost millions, and at the same time prosecute those recommended in the UBS report for their part in willfully robbing our country of its dignity, reputation and international financial standing. “Papua New Guinea should not be a haven for unscrupulous leaders and their foreign friends to deprive its innocent citizens of hard earned cash from their natural resources."

Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council and Chairman of the Inter-Departmental Election Committee, Ivan Pomaleu, has urged departments to work closely with the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission, to deliver a successful 2022 national general elections. Secretary Pomaleu made this call during the weekly IDEC meeting yesterday (01/06/22) morning. “Our main task is to support the Electoral Commission with whatever assistance we can provide.” He told departments concerned, including Prime Minister and National Executive Council, National Planning & Monitoring, Justice & Attorney-General, Treasury, Finance, Information & Communications Technology, Royal PNG Constabulary, National Intelligence Organisation, PNG Defence Force, Government Printing Office, Provincial & Local Government Affairs, Personnel Management, PNG Transparency International, Correctional Services and National Research Institute, to support the overall mandate of the PNG Electoral Commission. Secretary Pomaleu reiterated Prime Minister James Marape’s call for public servants who have been assigned to assist the PNG Electoral Commission, to deliver a corruption-free, fair and safe elections through positive messaging. Secretary Pomaleu said that the election messaging should be exact, factual and timely to enhance stakeholders’ knowledge of this important event. Secretary Pomaleu reinforced the Prime Minister’s concern for voters to cast their votes without fear and intimidation. As of yesterday (01/06/22), the number of male candidates throughout the country stands at 3351, whilst female candidates stand at 142, bringing the total nominations to 3493. The number of candidates may slightly change when the latest figures become available.

The Jack’s of PNG has opened a new outlet at the Stop N Shop Supermarket in Rainbow, Port Moresby. It is the 6th Jack’s of PNG retail shop to opened in the Country. The new shop is said to provide more retail opportunity, more brands, fashion & sporting gear and more employment for the community. Mr Navin Rahju, Chief Executive officer of the CPL Group of companies, on behalf of the management, thanked and welcomed everyone attending the grand opening and remarked that it was a momentous occasion for the country stating that over the last 7 years of operating in the country, the Jack’s of PNG name has become a household brand. “When you see people dressed up for functions or see people dressed up for important occasions, you see the Jack’s clothing everywhere,” said Mr. Rahju. He added that he was proud that the brand was providing the people with quality products at affordable prices, expressing great delight in opening a shop in the suburb of Gerehu/Rainbow, making it reachable for customers around the area. “There is a great range of clothing here that meets our customers requirements with a new range of clothing that is not available anywhere else on the market,” Mr. Rahju added. Also for the first time, two women were appointed managers for the new shop at rainbow, as part of the development program for females and portrays the great strides that CPL is making for inclusion. Both women were also given a chance to share their experience working with Jack’s and both women were grateful for the opportunity to work alongside each other.

Prime Minister James Marape says the Government has so far allocated K274.4 million for security operations in the 2022 General Election to make it “fair and safe” for all citizens. This is the largest amount of money every allocated for election security operations. PM Marape said this today (May 31 2022) after a meeting with Police Commissioner David Manning, PNG Defence Force Commander Major-General Mark Goina and Correctional Service Commissioner Stephen Pokanis. Also present for the meeting was Inter-Departmental Election Committee Chairman and Secretary for Prime Minister and NEC Ivan Pomaleu. “We have given more support to our disciplinary forces in 2022, unlike previous elections, such as in 2012 and 2017,” PM Marape said. “The Government, under the watch of the Pangu Pati, delivered to this country its sovereignty and democracy in 1975 and continues to this day. “As the party that is now in charge of the Executive Government, supervising and resourcing the electoral process, we will be fully supporting Police, PNGDF and Correctional Service, as well as Electoral Commission, to give our people the opportunity to cast their votes for the leaders of their choice. “To date, Police have so far received K190 million, PNGDF have received K72.8 million, Correctional Service have received K11.6 million – a total of K274.4 million. “All three heads of our security forces confirmed to me today that they are equipped and ready to go, and are well-resourced to assist the Electoral Commission deliver a fair and safe 2022 General Election.” PM Marape said the heads of the three security forces would meet Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai tomorrow (June 1 2022) to discuss security during polling, which was scheduled to start on July 4, and plan for that. “As Prime Minister,” he said, “I am satisfied that the security forces have been given good support by our Government. “I want to thank our Treasury and Finance departments for ensuring that our security forces are resourced. “Likewise, we’ve given adequate support to the Electoral Commission, to ensure that they are ready for polling, counting, declarations and return of writs. “So far, so good, and I want to thank citizens nationwide for their support in terms of allowing nominations to conclude well right across the country, except for one or two areas. “We are going into campaigning now, and from the briefing I’ve received from Police, they are ready to apprehend and arrest any candidates or supporters who engage in illegal activities. “Police will be informing the public about election offences. “We want these elections to be fair and safe for all citizens to cast their votes for leaders of their choice.”  

21 candidates have been nominated to contest the West New Britain Regional seat following the closing of nominations last Thursday. West New Britain Provincial Returning Officer Emily Kelton said the 21 candidates consists of 20 males and 1 female candidate. “9 of them are endorsed by political parties while 12 are contesting as independent candidates,” she said. “The party endorsed candidates include sitting Governor Sasindran Muthuvel running under Pangu Party, former Police Commissioner Gari Baki under People’s National Congress Party, Mark Lebong under National Alliance, John Mondo under PNG Party, Daniel Kanau under United Labour Party, Willie Edo under Liberal Party, Celine Uma under People’s Action Party, Leonard Biage Gawa under Our Development Party, Damien Wamil Dawson under Indigenous Liberation Party.” Among the independent candidates is the former Director Planning, Information & Coordination at WNB Provincial Health Authority Dennis Parisan. Kelton said the order of draw has already been done and campaign activities have commenced in the province.

Prime Minister James Marape has thanked all 101 MPs who supported him to become PM on May 30, 2019. He said this today (May 30 2022) on the third anniversary of that momentous occasion in Papua New Guinea history when he took over from Peter O’Neill. PM Marape also thanked the ‘Loloata 52’ who steadfastly stood by him in November and December 2020 when the Opposition tried to move a no-confidence motion against him. “When we took office,” he reflected today, “we never saw COVID-19 coming in 2020, we never saw the economy going through hard times. “We knew that we were handling a bad economy that was mismanaged and rundown, in the eight years of the previous regime. “We knew that the deficit, and the debt level, was higher than forecast at Treasury. “We restructured the Budget in the 2019 Supplementary Budget, and went to work on growing and strengthening the economy, and we have thankfully survived the last three years. “We have invested in all parts of our country, through the ‘Connect PNG’ infrastructure, and ‘Missing Link’ roads. “We are connecting Maramuni in Enga, Telefomin in West Sepik, Karamui in Chimbu and Finschhafen in Morobe, to name just a few. “In our efforts to fight corruption, we have passed the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Bill, the Whistleblowers’ Bill and an amendment to the Proceeds of Crime Act to have public servants and politicians liable for prosecution for undisclosed wealth “We have paid off outstanding contracts of the previous regime, restructured the national debt with more-sustainable loans with zero per cent interest with a five-year grace period. “So yes, the last three years was extreme with COVID-19, the politics and no-confidence motion of 2020 – the effects of which continued into 2021, and now the General Election in 2022. “These were three momentous years, but nevertheless, it has been a time of strengthening our resolve to do better for our country and taking it back from the wrong hands, and placing national interests above personal interests. “We took over Government to fight for a greater share of our national revenue from corporate interests, we fought to make our country a place of better opportunities for our children where no-one is left behind. “As an example of this, last year, we enrolled the highest-ever number of Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) students, who left school many years ago. “We have had many achievements over the last three years.” PM Marape wished all the best to those MPs who voted him in 2019 and stood by him during the 2020 no-confidence period. He said Pangu Pati respected the Loloata Coalition Accord and had not endorsed candidates against those were in the Loloata Island camp. “I thank my supporters throughout the country for your patience and understanding, including my own voters in Tari-Pori,” PM Marape. “I thank some serious candidates of the 2017 elections in Tari-Pori, as well as in the Hela Regional Seat, for not contesting this year in respect of my holding the Prime Minister’s seat of the country. “I thank Christians around the country for praying for PNG in three very hard years. “Take Back PNG’ has started over the last three years, with equal amounts of money being given to all districts, and we will continue this fight to take back more from our resources like 51 per cent from Porgera, P’nyang Gas. “This is the realization of our efforts to take back more from our resources so that out people and our country benefit. “As we go into the elections, I pray for peace and calm to continue, with the people having the chance to form government through the polls.”

Chief Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai has called on all candidates and supporters across the country to respect each other during the campaign period and not to incite violence and trouble. “Elections are meant to be free and fair where citizens get the opportunity to choose their leader. There are rivalries in any contest whether it be politics or sports but we must always respect the rules of the game,” Mr Sinai said. Mr Sinai made the comments following reports of an incident that happened last Friday in Okapa where there was a clash between the supporter of sitting MP Saki Soloma and the public which resulted in the burning down of the convoy of vehicles belonging to the local Member. “I appeal to all citizens to respect one another during the campaign period. Candidates must use the time and opportunity to spell out your policies and voters must listen to their policy statements that would assist in making informed choices and decisions when casting your vote. No one should take things personal and incite trouble just because you don’t like personalities or group of people. This is a democratic country and let be mature and responsible in our thinking and have respect for others in the way we conduct ourselves,” he said.   “Let’s be civilized and do things the right way. The only way to show dissent is in the ballot box and not by use of force and intimidation. If you don’t like a candidate, you have that opportunity now to make your choice and not by confrontation.” The Commissioner further warned those individuals going around destroying candidates’ posters and election banners put up by political parties and candidates as such acts constitute and electoral offense and individuals can be arrested and fined or jailed once they are caught. “I urge all citizens to respect campaign posters and electoral materials put up by political parties and candidates and stop pulling them down or burn them. It is an electoral office and if anyone is caught engaged in such illegal acts, they can be arrested and fined or imprisoned for two years,” he said.