"Survey respondents indicated that trafficking for the purpose of forced labour and sexual exploita$on is occurring at a high rate... The logging industry received the highest results by survey respondents as a business sector that exposes persons to risks of trafficking."

By Jacob Pok, Post Courier

THE Prime Minister, his Ministers and all MPs with political privileges cannot comment on any commission of inquiry (CoI) report unless it is officially tabled in parliament and made public. 

That’s the official position of the three commissioners heading the CoI into the Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABLs).

The National

THE government yesterday slammed the commission of inquiry into the special agriculture business leases (SABL) as disappointing and not in the interest of the nation.

Presenting a statement on the state of the inquiry, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said nearly K15 million and one-and-half years later, the three-men commission had produced only an interim report covering just three of the 16 terms of reference.

He said that was most disappointing.

Kundiawa Gembogl MP, Tobias Kulang, has stressed the need to protect the land and the environment for future generations.

“Land is our security. It is our hope for the future. When the extractive industries have exhausted the mineral, petroleum and the gas wealth on our land, what we will be left with is the land,” Mr Kulang said.

“The point is straight forward- our land is not for sale,” he said.

Unscrupulous foreign corporations and greedy papua new guineans are stealing land, breaking up communities, and depriving them of their sustenance using corrupt officials, lies and violence. The Government must do more to protect both state and customary land. Say NO to land alienation and land registration schemes!

Source: The National, Wednesday 27th March, 2013

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister says incompetent bureaucrats have given developers a "free run" by granting a series of controversial leases.

ABC Radio Australia

A Commission of Inquiry's been investigating more than 70 Special Agricultural and Business Leases covering more than five million hectares.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has received the Commission's interim report which he'll table when Parliament next sits.

Leading civil society groups in Papua New Guinea are supporting calls for SOPAC to come clean on its ties to foreign companies involved in experimental seabed mining. 

SOPAC has been exposed as advocating on behalf of US based Lockhead Martin in the drafting of controversial new experimental seabed mining laws in Fiji.

"Again, we are seeing SOPAC disenfranchising Pacific people and ignoring their voices while at the same time promoting a foreign corporate agenda", says Effrey Dademo, Program Manager with ACT NOW! 

Source: ABC - Liam Fox

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister has blasted his public service over the granting of controversial leases covering more than 10 per cent of the country.

In recent years more than 70 Special Agricultural and Business Leases, or SABLs, have been granted covering more than five million hectares.

Critics say the leases are a back-door way to clear-fell forests and many have been granted without the permission of traditional owners.

Source: The National

ALL special agricultural business leases (SABL) granted prior to the issuance of an environmental permit are illegal, Minister for Environment and Conservation John Pundari said yesterday.

The minister would not approve any more environmental permits on SABLs until the Commission of Inquiry into the issue is made public and cabinet has determined an appropriate course of action.