Court-ousted Kandep MP, Don Polye is now at the Boroko police cells after being arrested few minutes ago. This is the first arrest carried out since the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) The allegations relates to official corruption and misappropriation of funds when Polye was the Minister for Higher Education and Sports. His wife was earlier arrested on similar allegations. Newslink is reliably told that Polye’s lawyer Edward Sasingian of Sasingian Lawyers, had applied for bail at the Waigani District Court before a magistrate and Polye is expected to be released soon. The bail money is K50,000. More updates to follow.
Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has launched a blistering attack on the Marape Government, accusing it of plunging the country deeper into debt while hospitals across Papua New Guinea continue to run out of essential medicines.
O’Neill said the government had taken on “another K1 billion in new loans” only weeks after withdrawing more than K1 billion in dividends from Kumul Minerals, pushing total fresh financing to K2 billion within a matter of weeks.
“The latest borrowings include K600 million for the politically convenient Connect PNG program and K400 million from the Asian Development Bank for general budget support,”
“That’s K2 billion raised in just a couple of weeks—but still no medicines,” he said.
The former PM called the situation a national disgrace, saying the government was prioritising politically driven programs and general spending over lifesaving medical supplies.
His attack follows Prime Minister James Marape’s remarks last Friday, where he told health workers to “do more with less”, conceding that the government is facing a serious cash shortage and that funds cannot yet be released to purchase critical drugs.
Marape also urged doctors and nurses to stop complaining about lack of funding, instead urging them to “focus on patient outcomes” and show patriotism through their work.
“Real patriotism is shown when professionals work for the good of the country, not just for pay checks,” Marape said. “Health workers must be efficient and resourceful in how they use what is available.”
O’Neill said the Prime Minister’s comments were insensitive and contradictory.
“Three weeks ago he was blaming Governors and Provincial Health Authorities, saying the medicine budget had already been spent. Now he is blaming doctors and nurses while admitting there is no money left to buy medicines. Which one is it?” O’Neill asked.
He said the public was exhausted by repeated shortages of antibiotics, painkillers and basic medical consumables, describing the current crisis as one created by government negligence.
“The public is frustrated by these chronic shortages affecting hospitals nationwide. People are suffering and dying unnecessarily because this government has failed to purchase essential drugs. That is the painful reality,” O’Neill said.
He said hospitals were meant to be places of healing, but doctors and nurses could not save lives when they lacked the most basic tools.
“Our health workers are experts in care, but how can patients recover when essential medicines are unavailable?” he asked.
O’Neill questioned why the government was able to find billions for other programs while failing to restock the country’s drug supply.
“People want answers on why billions of kina continue to be committed elsewhere while essential drugs remain out of stock. It is simply not acceptable for Papua New Guineans to be left without medicines while another K2 billion flows into what many see as a Waigani slush fund.” O’Neill said.
He called for an immediate halt to the Connect PNG program, which he labelled “corrupt”, and demanded that funds be redirected to emergency medical supplies.
“If the money is not going to relieve our people’s suffering, then where is it going? Just stop the corrupt Connect PNG and buy medicines,” O’Neill added. The government has not yet responded to O’Neill’s latest criticism.
The government has not yet responded to O’Neill’s latest criticism.
Frederick Kebai, President PNG Nurses Association.
Papua New Guinea is lagging far behind its Pacific neighbours in creating overseas employment opportunities under regional labour mobility programs, says the President of the Papua New Guinea Nurses Association (PNGNA), Frederick Kebai.
Returning fresh from attending the Pacific Labour Mobility Annual Conference in Solomon Islands this week, Mr Kebai said he was deeply concerned that the PNG Government has not been proactive in facilitating opportunities for its citizens to work abroad under schemes such as the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) program and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
“What I’ve learned from this conference is that Papua New Guinea is less concentrated in this area,” Mr. Kebai said.
“Our government is not proactive in mobilizing seasonal workers to go to New Zealand or Australia, while other Pacific Islanders are very active and have large numbers of their citizens already working overseas.”
He highlighted that countries such as Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Solomon Islands have made significant progress, sending thousands of workers to farms, hospitality, and other industries in Australia and New Zealand.
“PNG has the largest population in the Pacific—around 12 million people—and one of the highest unemployment rates,” Mr Kebai stressed.
“Labour migration would help our people, both skilled and unskilled, find jobs overseas while also boosting our struggling economy through remittances.”
Mr Kebai said the conference discussions revealed that the lack of coordination between key PNG state agencies and workers’ unions is a major barrier to progress.
“There is no proper collaboration between the Department of Labour, Finance and Treasury, and unions,” he said.
“We need a strong tripartite approach so we can move forward together.”
He further pointed out that costly administrative requirements such as obtaining police clearances, passports, and visas are deterring many potential seasonal workers from applying.
“Meeting the criteria to be deployed is a big hurdle for our citizens,” Mr. Kebai said.
“The government should set aside funds to assist seasonal workers meet these costs. They could later repay the expenses once they are employed overseas.”
Mr Kebai said Papua New Guinea must urgently learn from its Pacific neighbours and establish a more structured labour mobility program.
“If our government takes this seriously, more Papua New Guineans can be employed overseas, gain valuable skills, and contribute to our economy. It’s time we stop watching from the sidelines.”
The Marape government’s much-celebrated 2025 national budget has come under heavy fire, with strong criticism describing it as a “spectacular failure” marred by poor implementation, excessive borrowing, and inequitable distribution of funds.
Member for Chuave James Nomane launched this scathing attack on the government, branding the 2025 K28.357 billion “game-changer” budget as nothing more than another slogan-driven promise that has failed to deliver tangible outcomes for ordinary Papua New Guineans.
“In Parliament, I have said repeatedly that this 11th Parliament is overwhelmed with pleasantries, platitudes, and pollyanna,” the MP said. “Leadership has become superficial. Vanity, pride, and ego have replaced substance.”
He accused the Marape-led administration of starving districts and provinces of their rightful funds while promoting political favoritism and selective warranting. “Chuave has not received its K20 million DSIP, DIP, or Kina-for-Kina funds. The Simbu Provincial Government is still waiting for its K34 million functional grants. Why should we beg for money that rightfully belongs to our people?” he questioned.
Nomane said the 2025 budget failed because it was built on “unsustainable spending, unrealistic revenue projections, and weak fiscal management,” with political interference worsening the problem. “We must judge the Prime Minister and his Treasurer by results. If sectors, provinces, and districts miss out through selective warranting, then something is seriously wrong,” he said.
After six years of what he called “a pathetic Pangu-led government,” the Chuave MP declared the time had come to end “petty politics, cronyism, and favoritism.” He said the Prime Minister’s promises of one million jobs, agricultural revival, and foreign investment have not materialized.
“Where is the fiscal discipline? Where is the vision for youth, for rural development, for sovereign dignity?” he asked. “We are stuck with astronomical loans and inflation while government elites globetrot and perform for the cameras.”
Nomane announced he will seek Supreme Court enforcement of the Appropriations Act, citing inequities in the distribution of budget funds and the government’s failure to recognize the people of Chuave and Simbu.
“The people’s money is being plundered by a small kitchen cabinet. Effective budget implementation defines competent leadership — and this government has failed that test miserably,” he said. “Our national debt now stands at K65 billion, and we have no significant investment to show for it. Who will stop this madness?” Nomane asked.
