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PNG in the News
Anger in PNG at negative attitude of new women MPs to reserved seats -- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=72594
Women in PNG politics the focus of Independence Day Oration -- http://giaman.com/pg/?ad2290
Abuse-accused priest has live-in teen helper -- http://giaman.com/pg/?f8fae5 -- http://giaman.com/pg/?df33e6
PNG stands firm on Ross Garnaut ban -- http://giaman.com/pg/?1accff
No thanks, not yet: PNG's ASEAN bid -- http://giaman.com/pg/?76fac8
Australian government has committed $A66 million (K147 million) to fund 1400 scholarships for midwives and nurses -- http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20121205/news.htm
Australia gives A$12mil to boost education -- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/42221
Misc. PNG Links
Drug-resistant tuberculosis in PNG and Torres Strait islands -- http://giaman.com/pg/?9ad522
Puggle births a boon for rare PNG echidnas -- http://giaman.com/pg/?b20230
Adventist Frontier Missions volunteer killed in accident -- http://giaman.com/pg/?f1ce2d
Things to do in Alotau -- http://giaman.com/pg/?6395c1
PNG Tourism Promotion Authority -- http://www.papuanewguinea.travel
PNG Tourism Industry Association -- http://www.pngtia.com
PNG Customs -- http://www.customs.gov.pg
PNG Travel Tips -- http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1757.html
Working in Port Moresby -- http://giaman.com/pg/?67a245
Air Niugini -- http://www.expedia.com.sg/vc/cheap-flights/air-niugini-flights
PNG Images
Safe Cities: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea 2012 -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRrGDERE3CI
Kavieng Photos -- http://giaman.com/pg/?275395
PNG: Without a Paddle full -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnjxIw7ieHQ
A Lens on the World -- http://giaman.com/pg/?26e98a
2012 PNG Games on YouTube -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKQASX6E3Nc
Number Plate -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/sukos_license_plates/5007957501
Barakau -- http://giaman.com/pg/?8883bc
Kimbe Bay -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/harry1010/8231471757
PNG Blogs
Expat Blog -- http://www.expat-blog.com/en/directory/oceania/papua-new-guinea
PNG Gold -- http://giaman.com/pg/?088fab
PNG Gossip Newsletter Blog -- http://pnggossip.blogspot.com
News Items
PNG Tourism
Chief Executive Officer of PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Peter Vincent, says the Authority has over the last couple of years seen a steady increase in tourist arrivals. PNG is often known as an expensive place for tourism when it has a million different things to offer tourists. The Tour Operators Association of PNG or TOA PNG says many tour operators have gone out of business because they didn't quite meet tourist's needs and or requirements.
-- http://www.papuanewguinea.travel
International tourism, number of arrivals for PNG -- http://giaman.com/pg/?5a62c7
-- http://www.traveldailymedia.com/143350/png-tourism-hitting-targets
No Confidence Votes
Peter O'Neill has introduced a bill in parliament to avoid no confidence votes. The proposed amendment seeks to remove a clause from the constitution which states the government can be changed 18 months after its formation. Mr O'Neill said section 145 of the constitution allows parliament to move a no confidence motion against a prime minister. Mr O'Neill needs an absolute majority of more than 70 MPs to pass the law and if passed his government would remain in office for over three years.
PNG opposition supports extension of no-confidence period -- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=72505
Asylum Seekers
Another load of asylum seekers has landed on Manus Island as part of the Australian government's controversial border protection policy. Local journalist and Manus resident Nick Solomon said nine children were among the arrivals. Landowners have repeatedly threatened to protest against the re-establishment of the Howard-era detention facility, as they demand compensation for use of traditional land.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?21e575
HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Peter O'Neill says he is confident the country will be 'on top' of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Speaking to Australian broadcaster SBS he says "AIDS has been a concern to Papua New Guinea for many, many years. It's now been stabilised and it's on the decline in our country because of the awareness that we have been promoting in our country."
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?6f4c77
Antelope-3 Well
The Antelope-3 well has encountered gas. InterOil Corp., Houston, said its Antelope-3 appraisal well in PNG penetrated the top of the reservoir 217 ft high to prognosis, began flowing gas, and was shut-in. The well on PRL 15 topped the reservoir at 5,328 ft, 92 ft higher than the Antelope-1 well. Drillers circulated out the gas kick, flared the gas, cemented 9-5/8-in. liner, and ran a vertical seismic profile.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?00f327
Australian Aid
Peter O'Neill, says if Australia puts more of its aid money into supporting PNG's ambitious infrastructure program, the country will be able to reduce the amount of money if plans to borrow from China.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?65e002
Ship Robbed
A ship has been robbed by pirates off the Morobe coast. Radio Australia report Police as saying about eighteen armed men robbed more than one hundred and fifty people on the ship between Finshaffen and Lae recently.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?b840e9
AFL Championships
The AFL PNG Coca Cola 2012 National Championships were held last month in Lae and Kimbe. Read more
-- http://www.worldfootynews.com/article.php/20121129104532335
Hiri Moale Festival
The Hiri Moale Festival was held last weekend in Port Moresby. The highlight of the event was the judging of the 2012 Hiri Hanenamo Queen. This year 20 contestants took part in the event and 21 year old Dorothy Dobi from Boera took out first prize in the contest. She dedicated her win to her mother who had passed away with cervical cancer last year. Dorothy is the first winner from Boera. First runner up was Helen Walo and Miss Hetura (Friendship) was Majorie Mare from Tatana Araira.
The Hiri Hanenamo Contest officially began in 1987. Next year the Hiri Moale festival will be held in July.
-- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/misshiri.html
Another Prince Visits
Prince Albert II of Monaco recently visited Madang to see the work being carried out by the Papua Niugini Biodiversity Expedition. The Prince Albert II Foundation is one of the major financiers of the expedition
-- http://www.actnowpng.org/content/madang-lagoon-affected
Miss PNG 2012
25-year-old Miss Pagini, Lorraine Rifu of Northern and Gulf parentage, has been crowned Miss Papua New Guinea 2012. Rifu also won the title of Miss Humanitarian. First runner-up was Miss Madang and Sepik community, Joelinda Moani. Moani was named Miss Traditional and first runner-up for Miss Humanitarian. The second runner-up was Tessa Biribudo, the Miss Office of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Biribudo won the patron's choice award. Miss National Capital District Commission Yaom Judith Buseng was awarded Miss Photogenic and was the runner-up Miss Humanitarian.
-- http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/missredx.html
Senator Carr Visits
Australia's Foreign Minister, Senator Bob Carr, has recently paid a four day visit to PNG ahead of a joint ministerial forum in Port Moresby. It is Senator Carr's first visit to PNG since becoming Australian foreign minister in March.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?ca35c2
NHC "privatised"
The National Housing Corporation (NHC) has been replaced by a public real estate firm that is taking over the roles and functions of the NHC. The firm has taken over several properties and plans to renovate other run down properties owned and managed by the Corporation. It is reported the Housing Corporation had failed miserably in its core functions to build, own and put on rent affordable accommodation to Papua New Guineans over the last three decades.
PNG LNG
Exxon Mobil is expecting over 10 million metric tons of LNG annually from PNG by the year 2025. Demand for natural gas is forecast to rise by more than 60 per cent by 2040.
-- http://www.pnglng.com
Another By-election
With another politician losing the election battle in court the Kairuku-Hiri seat is now up for grabs through a by-election. The Education Minister, Paru Aihi, has lost his seat in the court of disputed returns. He is the second politician to lose in court. The Electoral Commission will now conduct a by-election for the vacant seat. In the previous battle for the Ambunti-Dreikikir seat in East Sepik the runner up was awarded the seat due to the incumbent being too young to run for public office.
Air Niugini
Despite cutting back on the flights to Cebu in the Philippines Air Niugini has put on extra flights over the Christmas period to Manilla. Extra flights have been scheduled to operate on Tuesday from now until the end of January.
Air Niugini's second Boeing B737 is rumoured to be very close to being delivered. A picture of the plane in PX colours can be found here -- New Air Niugini Boeing B737-86Q -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/55198703@N02/8155407351/
Games Results Questioned
Powes Parkop, the Governor for the National Capital District, is disputing the PNG Games results stating that some of the other competing provinces used elite and international athletes in individual events. Parkop claims in the PNG Games Charter elite and international athletes are only allowed to take part in relay events. If this is true then the spirit of the grassroots games has been broken.
The National Capital District finished in second place behind East New Britain province.
2012 PNG Games on YouTube -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKQASX6E3Nc
Treatment of the Disabled
The United Nations Country Director in PNG, David McLachlan-Karr, says he is saddened by the way the country treats those with disabilities.
-- http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=72606
Jubilee School Wins Debate
Jubilee Catholic Secondary School in the National Capital District recently won the Institute of Business Studies national school debate competition. From the K30,000 prize money, sponsored by Moni Plus, the school has been able to purchase four laptops for each of the winning debate team plus desktop computers for the computer laboratory, sewing machines and a blender for home economics classes, a public address system and a barbecue stand.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/42062
School Internet
Gordon Secondary School now has free and easy access to the internet for students. Students will now be able to use internet technology to further their skills and knowledge. Gordon Secondary now has 55 computers hooked up to high speed broadband internet restricted to educational programmes, including Wikipedia and Encyclopaedia Britannica.
-- http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/42071
Looking For
Werner Eisner from Vienna, Austria is trying to catch up with a couple of friends.
- Simon Berem from Mt. Hagen, our last e-mail contact was in 2007, afterwards no more answer. Simon was with Air Niugini at Wewak as a regional manager when I was there as a teacher with Skul bilong Stuakipa. He later on left PX and moved to POM to work for various other companies. Simon is married to B3arbara, she is (was) a teacher.
- Gillian Sapak from Wewak, East Sepik Province. Gillian was a teacher at Skul bilong Stuakipa, P.O.Box 330, Wewak when I was there. She later on became head mistress of this school which still exists up to my knowledge. Unfortunately Gillian does not reply to letters as well (maybe her address has changed). Gillian visited us in Austria in 1996, my last contact to her dates back to 1997.
Can anyone help? Contact the newsletter and your details will be passed on. Use the form located at -- http://www.pnggossip.com/misc/ctc.html
Julie Soso
Who is Julie Soso? -- Julie Soso is the 2012 elected Governor of the Eastern Highlands province. She is a member of the Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party, which is part of the governing coalition led by Prime Minister O'Neill. Before becoming a governor and an MP, Soso was a radio broadcaster and a powerful advocate for the issues and inequities confronting women in PNG. She is one of only three women currently sitting in the 111-seat PNG Parliament. The others are Delilah Gore and new Minister for Community Services Loujaya Toni.
-- http://giaman.com/pg/?2b5e35
Coming Events
Note: please verify any date mentioned as dates change and events can sometimes get cancelled. Of course I may also put down a wrong date.
Ahi Festival, Lae - 13th - 16th of December (includes Miss Ahi Quest)
Christmas Day - 25th December 2012
New Year's Day -- 1st January 2013
Rabbitohs to play PNG Kumuls -- 9th of Feb 2013
Hiri Moale Festival - July 2013
Pacific Mini Games - Wallis and Futuna 2013
2013 Pacific Netball Series (hosted by Fiji)
Goroka Show 2013 -- http://epictomato.com/inspiration/the-goroka-show-papua-new-guinea
Full Pacific Games - PNG 4th July to 18th July 2015 -- http://giaman.com/pg/?081f78
Pacific Mini Games - Vanuatu 2017
Do you have an event that you want advertised? - Use the submission form located at -- http://www.pnggossip.com/misc/ctc.html
PNG Media
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Articles for this Newsletter
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