Nov 2020: ICAC law passed
Submitted by ACTNOW on Sat, 14/11/2020 - 14:48
The law paving the way for the creation of an Independent Commission Against Corruption was finally passed by Parliament on 12 November 2020.
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.
Feb 2020: Whistleblower Protection Law passed
Submitted by ACTNOW on Wed, 19/02/2020 - 04:09
A long awaited new law protecting employees who report corruption in the workplace was finally passed by Parliament on February 18 2020.
Unfortuantely, when the text of the new law was finally released some months later, it was revealed that the law is completely inadequate and 'unfit for purpose'.
Nov 2019: Nautilus Minerals officially bankrupt
Submitted by ACTNOW on Fri, 29/11/2019 - 00:00
Prospective seabed mining company Nautilus Minerals was officially declared bankrupt in the Canadian Courts, in November 2019. This signals the end of its Solwara 1 seabed mining project off the coast of New Ireland.
ACT NOW! has been campaigning against experimental seabed mining in the Pacific since 2011.
March 2019: Most SABL land returned to customary owners - Minister
Submitted by ACTNOW on Fri, 08/03/2019 - 00:00
The Lands Minister has announced 3 million hectares of land under SABL leases "has been given back to customary landowners". This means almost 60% of the land originally alienated under the SABL scheme has been returned to its rightful owners.
Feb 2019: Govt. recognises value of the informal economy
Submitted by ACTNOW on Thu, 14/02/2019 - 00:00
The Department of Community Development has released the results of its first ever survey of the size of the informal economy - valuing it at K12 billion or 20% of GDP - and recognising its importance as the biggest income generator for families.
Oct 2018: International auditors to help stop logging company tax evasion
Submitted by ACTNOW on Fri, 26/10/2018 - 08:47
The government has signed an agreement with the OECD for expert auditors to be sent to Papua new Guinea to assist the Internal Revenue Commission crack down on tax evasion by the logging industry.
August 2017: Police Minister promises to stop SABL abuses
Submitted by ACTNOW on Tue, 22/08/2017 - 06:37
Police Minister Jelta Wong has responded directly to ACT NOW’s call for him to confirm the cancellation of all SABL leases and put an end to the police intimidation and harassment of customary landowners.
In today's Post Courier newspaper, Mr Wong has said,
March 2017: ACT NOW! puts the PM on the spot over SABL leases
Submitted by ACTNOW on Fri, 10/03/2017 - 00:00Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has been left struggling to explain why the SABL leases have not been cancelled as recommended by a Commission of Inquiry in 2013.
The PM was put on the spot by journalists at a televised media briefing after weeks of intensive campaigning by ACT NOW!
Jan 2017: Logging limited to just 12% of illegally acquired SABL forest
Submitted by ACTNOW on Mon, 09/01/2017 - 20:39Analysis of government data on log exports reveals that only a relatively small percentage of forests illegally acquired under the Special Agriculture Business Lease scheme, have actually been logged.
Of 77 known SABLs, issued between 2003 and 2011 and covering an area of 5,367,765 hectares, a total of 64 leases were designated for agro-forestry activities.
Of those 64 SABLs, covering an area of 5,150,071 hectares, only 13 are known to have been subject to logging activity.
The 13 SABLs where logging activity has been recorded cover an area of 609,788 hectares.
Nov 2016: Prime Minister promises action on the SABL land grab
Submitted by ACTNOW on Mon, 07/11/2016 - 00:00The Prime Minister has reiterated his commitment to cancel the SABL leases found to be unlawful in a Commission of Inquiry (see newspaper report below).
While some skepticism remains, as the PM made similar promises in 2013 and 2014 that were not actioned, the announcement remains a significant step forward.
Oro Governor, Gary Juffa, has publicly attributed the Prime Minister announcement directly to the impact of the campaign by ACT NOW! and our latest radio advert: