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Campaign Successes

When we take action together we can have a massive impact - so never doubt the importance of making your voice heard. As proof of this ACT NOW! supporters have played a vital role in a number of very significant campaign victories


October 2011: Environment Act amendments to be repealed

The government led by Peter O'Neill and Belden Namah has announced it will repeal controversial amendments to the Environment Act that undermine the rights of traditional landowners. The amendments were bulldozed through Parliament in a single afternoon in May last year by the previous Somare regime.

In making the announcment the Environment Minister Thompson Harokaqveh has described the amendments as "unnecessary and undesirable" and revealed the government had been advised the changes are unconstitutional.

The changes removed the rights of PNG citizens to challenge large resource projects andprevent them seeking damages for environmental damage caused by foreign corporations.

In the past month ACT NOW! members have sent over 1,700 emails to government Ministers calling on them to reverse the amendments and in June last year ACT NOW! supporters help collect 18,000 signatures on a petition opposing the amendments.

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August 2011: Super hospital plans dumped

The government has announced it will not be pursuing plans for a controversial publicly funded "Super Hospital" in Port Moresby. The hospital was to provide private beds for the wealthy while most Papua New Guineans lack access to even the most basic health services.  

ACT NOW! had actively campaigned against the plans for the hospital on its website and independent blogs.

 

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August 2011: Independent Commission Against Corruption

The government has announced plans for an Independent Commission Against Corruption and a task force to investigate high level fraud. The fight against stealing from the public purse is one of ACT NOW!'s key campaigns and this has now, apparently, been taken up by the new government.

 

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July 2011: Ramu mine waste dumping unconstitutional

The National Court in PNG has accepted arguments that the marine dumping of toxic waste from the Ramu nickel mine will breach PNG's Constitution and constitute both a public and a private nuisance.

ACT NOW! has been campaigning against the marine dumping of mine waste in PNG and in October 2010 over 500 ACT NOW! supporters participated in an email action against Highlands Pacific, part owners of the Ramu mine.

Although the National Court refused to permanently restrain the marine dumping that decision is now being appealed to the Supreme Court. 

 

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June 2011: Inquiry into Special Economic Zone laws

The World Bank Ombudsman has announced an inquiry into the role of the World Bank in sponsoring Special Economic Zone laws in PNG and developing the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone.

The World Bank has received more than 3,500 emails from ACT NOW! supporters protesting its involvement in these projects.

 

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June 2011: 'Maladina' amendments not passed

The Somare led government has failed to completed the passage of the 'Maladina amendments' through its last session of parliament before losing power. The Bill would have diminished the power of the Ombudsman Commission and reduced transparency.

ACT NOW! actively campaigned against the amendments, lobbied key MPs and helped convince the Opposition to reverse their support for the changes.

 

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May 2011: Land grab Commission of Inquiry

The government has announced a Commission of Inquiry into Papua New Guinea's land grab which has seen over 5 million hectares of land taken away from indigenous people under fraudulent agriculture leases.

ACT NOW! has been an important part of the community campaign against the land grab and ACT NOW! supporters have sent over 250 emails to the Prime Minister on this issue.

 

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March 2011: Prime Minister guilty of misconduct in office

Prime Minister Michael Somare has been found guilty of misconduct in office by a Leadership Tribunal and suspended from duty. Six months ago ACT NOW! supporters targeted the Chief Ombudsman in an email action calling for action against the PM under the Leadership Code.

 

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December 2010: Pollution of the Watut River

Newcrest Mining and Harmony Gold have publicly admitted pollution of the Watut river with sediments from the Hidden Valley mine after being targeted by ACT NOW! supporters in an email action

 

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June 2010: Finance Department Commission of Inquiry

The government has taken up a court challenge against an injunction preventing publication of the Finance Department Commission of Inquiry report after being targeted by ACT NOW! supporters on the internet for their failure to act.

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