Prime Minister James Marape has decommissioned Finance Minister Rainbo Paita from his Cabinet position following his leading a defection to the Opposition. Prime Minister Marape stated that Finschhafen MP Rainbo Paita displayed a lack of respect for Cabinet decorum by not submitting his resignation before leading the defection to the Opposition. Marape said, “It certainly gives me no pleasure in decommissioning Rainbo Paita, who has got caught up in this political play and betrayed the trust bestowed upon him, by being the ring leader of Pangu Pati and Government MPs joining ranks with the Opposition." "Cabinet solidarity has been breached by the defection of Paita.” “While I respect Paita’s right to form new allegiances, the fact that he has shown open revolt and chosen to associate with the Opposition and led other Pangu and Government MPs to the other side, leaves me with no choice but to decommission him immediately." “I know other Ministers are currently in the Opposition camp, by choice or being forced to, and we are reaching out to them.” Prime Minister Marape recalled that in 2019, when he resigned from the Peter O’Neill government, he didn’t move out with a crowd of MPs and Ministers as Paita had done. “Paita, by his act of dissent, has shown no respect for Cabinet decorum by jumping ship without writing to me as Prime Minister and indicating his areas of dissatisfaction,” he said. “He has to indicate where I have gone wrong and why he has decided to move away from my Cabinet.”

Queensland Origin star Dane Gagai will remain at the Newcastle Knights for at least two more years after signing a contract extension with the club. The new deal keeps the centre in Newcastle for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with a mutual option for 2027. Knights Director of Football Peter Parr is confident the 33-year-old will continue to make an impact on and off the field. “Dane is one of the best outside backs in the NRL and is playing as well as ever,” Parr said. “When you combine his on-field performance, experience and leadership, Dane is a highly valued member of our club. “We believe this re-signing will not only benefit the current playing group but will assist educate and elevate future Newcastle Knights NRL players." Gagai's new deal comes a day after Origin and Test star David Fifita has advised the Titans he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Source: NRL.Com

A three-try blitz in five minutes in the first half carried the Dolphins to a 30-24 win over an injury-hit Sea Eagles outfit at Suncorp Stadium. The Sea Eagles lost superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic to a hamstring injury and winger Jason Saab (shoulder) on a night in which they again gave up a 12-point lead to fall to successive losses. Among a host of stars for the home side, dynamic fullback Trai Fuller was a standout with 155 run metres and a freakish solo try from a chip and chase. The Sea Eagles struck first in the 10th minute when Daly Cherry-Evans opted to run the ball on the last play and found Ben Trbojevic who put Tommy Talau over in the corner for a 4-0 lead. The Dolphins hit back four minutes later when Euan Aitken picked off a Cherry-Evans pass and raced 50 metres to lock the scores up at 4-4. A blow for Manly in the 17th minute when Saab landed awkwardly as he dived for a try but was denied by a great cover tackle by Fuller, whose defensive game was every bit as impressive as his attack. The Sea Eagles had a second try in the 23rd minute when Tom Trbojevic put a well weighted kick into the in goal for Corey Waddell to follow through and score. Reuben Garrick's conversion made it 10-4. With intercepts proving the order of the night it was Luke Brooks who swooped on a Max Plath pass and ran 40 metres before delivering the ball to Tolu Kolua for Manly's third four-pointer. The Dolphins closed the gap six minutes before the break when Kodi Nikorima drifted across field and turned Connelly Lemuelu inside for a clear run to the line. Jamayne Isaako added the conversion to make it 16-10. On the next set it was Fuller in just his fifth game in the NRL producing a slashing solo try when he exploded into space, chipped over Tom Trbojevic and regathered to score before Mark Nicholls grabbed a rare four-pointer and the Dolphins had piled on three tries in five minutes to lead 20-16 at the break. A mistake by Isaako from the kick-off handed Manly a golden opportunity to hit back but Cherry-Evans made a simple error in the play the ball and the Dolphins came away. Ten minutes into the second half it was Tom and Jake Trbojevic combining from close range to lock things up at 20-20 after Jake's late offload put Tom over for the 95th try of his career. Garrick converted for a 22-20 lead. An offside penalty against the Sea Eagles in the 56th minute handed Isaako an easy shot and the sharpshooter did the job to lock it up again at 22-22. The Sea Eagles edged back in front in the 65th minute after Felise Kaufusi was penalised for a late tackle and Garrick slotted the kick to make it 24-22 to the visitors. The contest took another twist in the 67th minute when the Dolphins marched down field on the back of a penalty and Jack Bostock finished off slick lead-up work by Isaiya Katoa and Herbie Farnworth to score. Isaako converted from wide out for a 28-24 Dolphins lead. The Dolphins extended the lead to 30-24 after Ethan Bullemor was penalised for a dangerous tackle and from there the home side were able to close out their sixth win of the season. Source: NRL.com

A great comeback from the SP PNG Hunters, with a thrilling 52-16 victory in Round 8 of the QRL Hostplus Cup over the Townsville Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon at Townsville, Australia. The crowd at Jack Manski Oval could not have anticipated such a dominant performance from the visitors who came into Round 8’s fixture on the back of three straight losses. To put all those learnings together into a complete 80-minute performance on Sunday afternoon is a big win for Head Coach Paul Aiton and his players, moving forward. The Blackhawks struck first in this one through Jaelen Feeney but as they’ve done all year to date, the Hunters quickly fought to slow their opponent’s momentum and drag the game down into a grind. Hunter’s backrower Whallan Tau-Loi would then cash in on the Hunters first attacking set courtesy of some nice deception from halfback Jamie Mavoko. Relishing his role as on-field conductor, Mavoko played to a plan right from the opening set on Sunday to drop his players back against the grain. In yardage, that direct plan promoted fatigue into the Blackhawks middle and in good-ball it punished that fatigue to find little chinks in the line for Tau-Loi in this instance to score. The Hunters almost went the length from the ensuing kickoff when five-eighth Joshua Lau capitalised on some ruck speed to slice through himself on the left edge. A heavy grubber back on the inside instead gave Townsville a seven-tackle set and they made the most of it to score next through NRL veteran James Tamou. The shoot-out continued when Tau-Loi bagged his second soon afterwards. With the home side bunching up through the middle in response to PNG’s direct approach with the ball, Tau-Loi exposed them on the edge this time with an impressive show of speed to burn multiple defenders on his way to the try line. The home side made their own luck to fire back one more response, scoring a questionable try through Kalifa Faifai-Loa despite the Blackhawks winger appearing to bounce the ball in the process of scoring. It would matter little by full time though as the Hunters dominated the final 50 minutes to score seven unanswered tries, equalling the club’s biggest ever win on Australian soil. Judah Rimbu kicked off the action in the 35th minute, identifying a quick play-the-ball close to the line and darting over between two exhausted Blackhawks middles to give PNG an 18-16 lead following the successful Mavoko conversion. Rimbu’s influence around the ruck then triggered PNG’s next points when rookie centre Alex Max crossed just before halftime. Playing to the plan through the middle, Rimbu bamboozled the markers to send Koso Bandi back behind the ruck and fold the Blackhawks line in towards the ball. Having created the space out wide, Rimbu then combined with his five-eighth to pass Max into that space and execute a very well-worked try. Another clutch conversion from Mavoko – this time from the left touchline – gave the SP PNG Hunters a deserving 24-16 lead at the break. An attacking raid threatened to give Townsville a sniff early in the second half, but PNG’s systems held firm before the visitors quickly mounted a counter attack courtesy of a late offload in yardage. With the resulting field position, Rimbu’s class was again the difference as he rolled a delicate grubber into the in-goal to force an error from the home side. Hunters centre Elijah Roltinga was the beneficiary on this occasion, diving on the loose ball to score an opportunistic four pointer. Townsville impressed in moments as they tried to kickstart a miracle comeback but PNG’s defensive systems – particularly on the edges – simply refused to give up cheap points. The Hunters efforts without the ball continued to force errors from the home side and subsequently earn more opportunities for PNG to attack themselves. Hunters’ fullback Sanny Wabo was next to put himself in the box seat, using a burst of speed to create a space in the defensive line back on the inside. It was no coincidence that Max scored his second of the afternoon by cutting back against the grain and targeting the Blackhawks tiring middle defenders: Sure enough, Max would complete his first QRL Hostplus Cup hattrick just nine minutes later by playing towards similar principles in attack. In what would have been a pleasing sight for Head Coach Aiton, three of the Hunters key spine players – Rimbu, Mavoko and Lau – combined smartly to stretch the Blackhawks middle defence with wide passes before turning the ball back underneath towards the spaces: Lau’s ability to change the tempo of his run as he shapes to different options around him here is key. The young five-eighth is only 12 games into his Hostplus Cup career but is ballplaying beyond his years to execute some effective and repeatable attacking actions for the Hunters this season. With the result well and truly decided, the Hunters defence was impressing even more than their expansive attack. They repelled a desperate Blackhawks attack on multiple occasions in the final quarter, forcing errors and pushed passes with their line speed or movements on the edges. Having suffocated the home side with defensive pressure for the best part of 80 minutes, PNG finally celebrated with two late bonus tries through Finley Glare and Wabo. Glare pounced on a late offload close to the line to bag his first of the year before Wabo iced a slick left-edge movement that highlighted all of the Hunters improvements in attack this season. Getting to the right areas on the field and identifying when to fire a shot, Rimbu and Lau again combined smartly to shift from a midfield quick play-the-ball here: Falling into that familiar double-unders shape, Lau sat Townsville’s edge defenders on their heels here before dropping Benjamin Kelly back against the grain. The beauty of PNG’s game plan became evident when Blackhawks half Bourke – expecting the change of direction – turned in to check the Kelly tackle and subsequently opened up a space to his outside. Punishing Bourke’s movement in the line, Kelly bounced off his right foot and passed back to Lau into the space created. Soft hands from the Hunters five-eighth sent Wabo into the backfield from there, where the elusive fullback had too much speed for the cover defence to handle. A spectacular night off the tee for Jamie Mavoko complemented what was one of PNG’s best offensive performances in the Hostplus Cup. The Hunters halfback slotted eight from nine attempts to equal the club’s record for most goals scored in a QRL game and help the Hunters register their fourth biggest winning margin (38) in history. The SP PNG Hunters will now look to bring their winning form back to the Santos National Football Stadium this Saturday, 11th May when they host the competition leading Northern Pride in Round 9 of the QRL Hostplus Cup.

PNG’s biggest domestic sporting competition just got bigger, thanks to Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited (KMHL). The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) announced a 5-year sponsorship agreement worth K15 million with Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited (KMHL) to be Platinum Partner of the National Rugby League Competition (NRLC) for men and women. The NRLC is the competition that runs the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and this year for the first time, will run a National Women’s Competition through six of the current franchises including the Rabaul Gurias, Lae Tigers, Mt. Hagen Eagles, Goroka Lahanis, Port Moresby Vipers and the Central Dabaris. These franchises were selected following a Club audit of the 12 existing NRLC franchises in line with the Club Professionalism pillar of the PNGRFL’s NRLC 5-year strategic plan (2023-2027). The expansion of the Competition will be subject to further compliance requirements. KMHL’s sponsorship of K3,000,000 per year for the next 5 years (2024-2028) will support both the NRLC male and female competitions operational and management costs, and also go towards the inaugural National Women’s Competition slated to begin in July. Chairman for KMHL, Dr. Illa Temu, said Kumul Minerals is happy to partner with PNG’s national sport through a competition that supports and empowers both men and women. “We are excited to partner with the PNGRFL for the first time as it continues to build the domestic competition, and now with the introduction of a National Women’s Competition, this provides a great opportunity for our women and girls, and augurs well for an international pathway.” CEO for PNGRFL, Stanley Hondina, said this partnership with KMHL was timely and would not only support our marquee domestic male competition, but also would provide seed funding to begin our National Women’s Competition. “We actually set 2025 to start the National Women’s Competition but we’ve managed to bring it in a year earlier due to great cooperation with the franchises, among other factors, and this support from KMHL will really assist us.” “On behalf of Chairman Sandis Tsaka and the Board, we sincerely thank Dr. Temu and the team at KMHL for believing in what we’re doing at PNGRFL and are thankful for the long-term partnership.” Kumul Minerals’ vision is to be a world-class mineral resource company that delivers value to its shareholders, stakeholders, and the nation. KMHL’s mission is to develop and operate its mineral assets in a sustainable, responsible, and profitable manner.

The Bay Breeze Bungalo, a local and newly built eco-lodge was officially opened by the member for Samarai-Murua District and Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Isi Henry Leonard on his recent visit to Guasopa Station, Woodlark Island in Milne Bay Province. Minister Leonard pointed out the importance of safe guarding the environment so that ecotourism can be developed in the rural areas. He encouraged the people of Woodlark to learn from the concept of the eco-lodge and tourism, adding that his ministry will continue to support those locals who were serious about engaging in tourism activities as he wants to make Samarai-Murua the hub of tourism. Minister Leonard encouraged his people to take courage on work on tourism initiatives and develop the concepts in their respective areas. “Source a place that you know our tourists will want to come and see, whether it be a small place where you can swim, a small river or a hill where you can go and visit.” “I went to Vanuatu, and they are promoting tourism, it’s not using something else, they are using the natural environment, a small bay, a small beach, an area, where they build into, develop, and promote and tourists just enjoy.” “Do a concept, product and package, we are here to help develop it.” A six-bedroom eco-lodge owned by local islander Raka Aledi and family was recently completed which housed its first guests, the government officials from Investment promotion Authority, Office of Climate Change Development Authority and the Tourism Promotion Authority who had travelled to Woodlark Island with the Member. Mr Aledi thanked Minister Leonard for officially opening the bungalow and for the continuous support to help develop and improve the facility. Minister Leonard when opening the facility, thanked Prime Minister James Marape and Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and government for having the confidence in the people of Samarai-Murua through his appointment as the Minister for Tourism, Art and Culture. Mr Leonard is determined to work smarter and harder in helping develop and improve the tourism industry in his district and the country as a whole.

The Penrith Panthers are chasing their third-straight victory as they return to NSW for a clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs Ivan Cleary's side held on for a gritty 26-20 win over the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night, the Panthers defending their way to victory. Now they will take on a desperate Rabbitohs squad at Accor Stadium. South Sydney suffered a demoralising 54-20 loss to the Melbourne Storm on ANZAC Day and now have a new interim head coach in Ben Hornby, following the club parting ways with Jason Demetriou. The Rabbitohs have so far won just one game this season, a 20-16 victory over the Bulldogs on Good Friday. Fullback Jye Gray has emerged as an X-factor and is likely to provide Souths with an attacking spark. The Rabbitohs will be without Taane Milne who took the early guilty plea for a Grade Three Dangerous Contact charge and will miss the next two weeks. Source: NRL.Com

The National Department of Health Secretary Dr. Osborn Liko has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to health and the well-being of our citizens through immunization as the country observed World Immunization Week from the 24th – 30th April 2024. Dr. Liko said Immunization is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent diseases and save lives. Vaccines not only protect individuals but also contribute to the collective immunity of our communities, safeguarding the most vulnerable among us. This year's theme, “Humanly Possible: Saving lives through immunization” underscores the importance of equitable access to immunization. “PNG recognizes the critical role that immunization plays in achieving universal health coverage and addressing health inequalities.” “We remain steadfast in our efforts to ensure that every child and adult in our nation has access to life-saving vaccines, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location.” “Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, PNG continues to prioritize routine immunization services.” “We have implemented innovative strategies to maintain immunization programs while adhering to public health measures to prevent the spread of the virus.” Through collaboration with their partners and stakeholders, they have adapted vaccination delivery to ensure continuity and safety. “As we mark World Immunization Week, I urge all Papua New Guineans to take advantage of the immunization services available to them.” “Vaccines not only protect individuals from diseases but also contribute to the health and prosperity of our nation as a whole.” “I extend my appreciation to healthcare workers, immunization teams, partners both international and local, and volunteers who work tirelessly to deliver vaccines and ensure the success of our immunization programs.” “Your dedication and commitment are invaluable in safeguarding the health of our people.” He further stated, “Let us recommit ourselves to the goal of a healthier, more resilient Papua New Guinea through immunization. Together, we can ensure that vaccines work for all.”

Young Denkie Luluata from Milne Bay province achieved his dream of becoming an accountant after he recently graduated with a Bachelor in Business Majoring in Accounting from the Southern Cross University, an affiliate of the Institute of Business Studies (IBS). A sponsored student from the Samarai Murua District of the Milne Bay province, Luluata graduated with a grade point average of 3 point 8, which is a high distinction. Luluata was committed to achieve his dream that he never missed any semester since being selected to attend studies at IBS where he has successfully completed his studies. He thanked Samarai Murua District for sponsoring his school fees of K24, 000 per year for the last 3 years that he has attended studies. Luluata said, “I am truly thankful to Member Isi Henry Leonard and Samarai Murua District for assisting me to pay for school fees. Without them I would have not completed my school. ” Mr. Henry Leonard, who is also the Minister for Tourism, Art and Culture was delighted that one of his students sponsored by the district graduated with flying colors from IBS. Young Luluata’s success stems from the continuously promotion of education through the district school fee scheme which the local Member has set up and maintained, where the district prioritizes and pays for student’s school fees each year. “There have been several other students who have benefited from this school fee scheme from various education institutions across the country and it gives me great joy knowing that we are educating the next generation of young people from Samarai Murua district. “The Samarai-Murua district school fee scheme will remain as long as I am in office, because it is important to better educate and equip our human resource in the district,” he said. Minister Leonard congratulated young Luluata and encouraged him to now join the workforce and help give back to the district in the next phase of his journey.

Manly pair Haumole Olakau'atu and Daly Cherry-Evans are both facing two-game bans after they were charged with a Dangerous Throw on Eels forward Shaun Lane. The duo have each been charged with a Grade 2 Dangerous Throw offence which attracts a two-game ban with an early plea or a three-game ban if they unsuccessfully contest the charge at the judiciary. Parramatta pair Ryan Matterson and Maika Sivo were also charged from the game, with Matterson facing a $1,000 fine for his high tackle on Luke Brooks while Sivo is facing a $3,000 fine for his Dangerous Contact charge on Reuben Garrick. Rabbitohs winger Taane Milne is facing a stint on the sidelines after being charged by the Match Review Committee in his side's ANZAC Day defeat to the Storm. Milne was sent to the sin bin for his tackle on Cameron Munster in the final play of the game, which saw the 28-year-old charged with a Grade 3 Dangerous Contact offence. Milne will miss two matches with an early guilty plea or three if he unsuccessfully contests the charge at the judiciary. Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan was charged for two seperate Dangerous Contact incidents in his side's defeat to the Roosters, with the 35th minute offence on Sam Walker and the 56th minute offence on Luke Keary both attracting fines of $1,000 with an early guilty plea. Titans forward David Fifita and Warriors forward Jacob Laban are also both facing fines after being cited for Grade 1 Dangerous Contact incidents. Fifita's charge increases from the $1,000 fine Laban faces to an $1,800 fine with an early plea as it is his second offence of the year. Source: NRL.Com

Teachers in the National Education System are being urged by the Minister for Education to refrain from going on strike over their outstanding 3% CPI payment. Minister Lukas Dekena said, “In our quest to make teaching a prestigious profession, our teachers must understand our position and must remain professional and not to follow the recent blackmail tactic by others.” The Minister also supported the call by the PNG Teachers Association President to give the government until end of this month (April) and if nothing happens, they (PNGTA) will go back to the Industrial Registrar and at the same time engage their lawyer to file enforcement Court Order to get the 3% and other claims paid by the government. “The Treasury Department has already made available funds to pay our teachers as per the MOA that was signed between the PNGTA, TSC and the Department of Personnel Management in December 2023,” Mr. Dekena said. He said that the government is committed to the MOA and the Department of Education and the Teaching Service Commission are continuously liaising with Finance, Treasury and DPM to implement the agreement. “I would like to confirm that the 3% CPI for teachers has not been implemented yet. The Department and the provinces are currently administering the resumption exercise; processing of Resumption of Duty Summary Sheets (RODSS). That is why some teachers are paid their higher duty allowances, mining allowances and or responsibility allowances, especially for head teachers, managers, and principals.” The Minister said that the pay date targeted by the Department of Finance in consultation with DOE and TSC to implement the 2023 and 2024 3% CPI is from pay#10, pay date May 17, 2024. Every teacher will be informed of the progress and full implementation of the MOA in due course.

After coming up just short against the Raiders and Sea Eagles, Des Hasler's Titans dug deep in Auckland to come up with first win of 2024, downing the Warriors 27-24 at Go Media Stadium. Trailing 12-0 after just seven minutes the Titans looked to be in for another long day but with AJ Brimson and David Fifita standing tall, they broke a six-game losing streak in style. An early penalty against Titans centre Brian Kelly for a dangerous tackle gave the Warriors field position and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad capitalised when he sliced through from 10 metres out. Shaun Johnson knocked over the conversion for a 6-0 lead. Just four minutes later the home side had a second when Addin Fonua-Blake powered through Kieran Foran from close range for his third try of the season and the Warriors had raced to a 12-0 advantage. The Titans hit back with a long range try in the 14th minute with Kelly putting Alofiana Khan-Pereira into space, the winger making plenty of ground before turning a pass inside for Brimson to race away and score. The Warriors looked to mount more pressure in the 25th minute but a forward pass by Fonua-Blake let the Titans off the hook and they worked their way upfield to post a second try through Tanah Boyd, who showed good speed and footwork to score. The five-eighth converted his own try to make it 12-12. With Brimson asking plenty of questions in attack the Titans struck a massive blow in the 38th minute when Fifita took an inside pass from Chris Randall and carried two defenders over the line to make it 18-12 to Hasler's men. A spilled bomb by Marcelo Montoya deep in his own territory handed Boyd a chance to slot a field goal to stretch the lead to seven points at the break. Just three minutes after half-time the Titans went further ahead when Kelly put a move on Rocco Berry and then sent a superb flick pass for Khan-Pereira to cross in the left hand corner. Trailing 23-12 the Warriors looked to have hit back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck pulled down a Johnson bomb to score but replays showed Wayde Egan had knocked on at dummy half and the bunker cancelled the try out. The Titans marched down field and Fifita produced a quality offload to send Brimson over for his second try of the day in the 55th minute and Gold Coast were closing in on a drought-breaking victory at 27-12. With his team desperate for a response Fonua-Blake took a pass from Dylan Walker and powered over under the sticks and the Warriors were back within nine points. Six minutes later the Warriors crossed again when Berry followed through a Johnson bomb and came up with a great catch to score. Johnson's conversion made it 27-24. Johnson continued to pepper the Titans' back three with high kicks but the visitors dug deep for three consecutive sets to keep their tryline intact. With four minutes to play, Johnson turned to the grubber kick and forced a line dropout, before Kelly came up with a huge play to defuse a bomb in the 78th minute and the Titans clung on for a morale-boosting victory. Source: NRL. Com