Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says Papua New Guinea is saddened at the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Hon. Shinzo Abe. He said PNG, and the world, was shocked at the shooting of Abe while campaigning in Japan on Friday. PM Marape said PNG had benefitted so much from Japan during the term of office of Abe, including the PNG Electrification Partnership that was signed at the APEC Summit in Port Moresby in 2018, and many more projects such as the Nadzab Airport Development in Morobe. “Relationships between Japan and PNG were very strong during the time of Abe as Prime Minister of Japan,” he said. “Abe visited PNG two times – in 2014 and for APEC in 2018 – and relationships between our two countries reached a high. “Japan was the first buyer of LNG from Japan in 2014 under the leadership of Abe and I, representing my people of Tari-Pori and as Finance Minister, was present for that momentous occasion. “Abe strengthened the Pacific Islands Leaders’ Meeting (PALM) process, brought PNG into the G7 and strengthened our role in APEC. “He was instrumental in signing the K4 billion PNG Electrification Partnership with USA, Australia and New Zealand during APEC 2018 that will deliver electricity to 70 per cent of PNG’s rural population by 2030. “Japan has been supporting self-reliance and sustainable development of PNG through Official Development Assistance (ODA) in areas such as infrastructure development and maintenance, education and medical care, cooperation for the improvement of agriculture and other sectors, and cooperation for improvement of the sewage disposal system and forest preservation. “Japan, as a friend of PNG since the 1970s, has provided long-term assistance to PNG to this country through development assistance in socio-economic and human resources development, high-level mutual visits and international conferences such as PALM.” PM Marape said Abe set the foundation for stronger Japan-PNG relations, and even after he vacated office in 2020, PNG continued to benefit from Japan during COVID-19 and a K1 billion concessional loan in 2021. “The Japanese loan has helped PNG to finance our K19.6 billion 2021 National Budget, repay our debts and stabilize the economy,” he said. “This came about because of the strong relationship between our two countries forged by Abe. “Papua New Guinea is saddened at the loss of our great friend, Hon. Shinzo Abe, and join with the rest of the world in mourning his untimely passing. “May God Bless his family and Japan at this sad time.”

Polling started slow this morning for Southern Highlands province with some electorates starting early while others had their officials complete their quality checks before polling could start. Provincial Election Manager, Mr Alwyn Jimmy said people who are eligible to vote must make their way to the polling areas and cast their vote. “If you miss out today, you can vote tomorrow.“ “No issues as yet with people whose names are not on the list to vote.” Mr Jimmy said that they will deal with the issue of names not being on the common roll when the issue arises. He added that so far they haven’t had any election related violence in the province leading up to polling today. “The Police Commissioner has said that the joint security forces will provide security during polling however they were still on their way from Enga Province.” “It’s quiet so far but anything can happen.” “Areas that are regarded as hotspots will have a security team to make sure everything goes smoothly.” He further added that candidates, their scrutineers and supporters must take ownership and talk to people in their electorates to put aside their differences so the election process can go well without any hiccups.

LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation after droves of top government officials quit over the latest scandal to engulf him, marking an end to three tumultuous years in which he tried to bluster his way through one ethical lapse after another. Months of defiance ended almost with a shrug as Johnson stood outside No. 10 Downing St. and conceded that his party wanted him gone. “Them’s the breaks,” he said. The brash, 58-year-old politician who took Britain out of the European Union and steered it through COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine was brought down by one scandal too many — this one involving his appointment of a politician who had been accused of sexual misconduct. The messiest of prime ministers did not leave cleanly. Johnson stepped down immediately as Conservative Party leader but said he would remain as prime minister until the party chooses his successor. The timetable for that process will be announced. The last leadership contest took six weeks. But many want him to go now, with some Conservative politicians expressing fear he could do mischief even as a caretaker prime minister. “It’s very difficult to see how Boris Johnson, given the character that he is, is going to be able to govern for three months in quiet humility and contrition,” said George Freeman, who resigned as science minister on Thursday. Among the possible candidates to succeed Johnson: former Health Secretary Sajid Javid, former Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Defense Secretary Ben Wallace. About 50 Cabinet secretaries, ministers and lower-level officials quit the government over the past few days because of the latest scandal, often castigating the prime minister as lacking integrity. The mass resignations stalled the business of some parliamentary committees because there were no ministers available to speak on the government’s behalf. Johnson clung to power for days, defiantly telling lawmakers on Wednesday that he had a “colossal mandate” from the voters and intended to get on with the business of governing. But he was forced to concede defeat Thursday morning after one of his closest allies, newly appointed Treasury chief Nadhim Zahawi, publicly told him to resign for the good of the country. “In the last few days, I tried to persuade my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when we’re delivering so much and when we have such a vast mandate,” Johnson said. “I regret not to have been successful in those arguments, and of course it’s painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself.” He said it is “clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister.” Critics said the speech showed Johnson, to the end, refusing to take responsibility for or admit his mistakes. Many Britons reacted to news of his resignation with relief and surprise, given his habit of digging in. “It felt like he can just keep on going and keep on ignoring it, so I was bit surprised this morning when saw it on my phone,” Himmat Dalyway, an investment trader in his 20s, said outside an Underground station in London. “Are you still 100% sure that he is going?″ As Johnson gathered his cobbled-together Cabinet for a meeting after his resignation announcement, he promised not to rock the boat in his remaining weeks. He told members the government would not “seek to implement new policies or make major changes of direction.” It was a humiliating defeat for Johnson, who not only pulled off Brexit but was also credited with rolling out one of the world’s most successful mass vaccination campaigns to combat COVID-19. But the perpetually rumpled, shaggy-haired leader known for answering his critics with bombast and bluster was also dogged by allegations he behaved as if the rules did not apply to him. He managed to remain in power despite accusations that he was too close to party donors, that he protected supporters from bullying and corruption allegations, and that he misled Parliament about government office parties that broke COVID-19 lockdown rules. When allegations of Downing Street parties emerged, Johnson told lawmakers “there was no party” and no rules were broken. But when photos of the prime minister raising a glass in front of a group of people surfaced, critics, some of them inside the Conservative Party, said Johnson had lied to Parliament — traditionally a resigning matter. The prime minister was fined by police over the parties and survived a no-confidence vote last month in Parliament in which 41% of Conservative lawmakers tried to oust him. Johnson became prime minister in July 2019, succeeding Theresa May, who resigned after Parliament rejected the Brexit agreement she negotiated with the EU. Johnson pushed his own Brexit deal through in an often messy and turbulent debate. With his mop of unruly blond hair, he often looked like a schoolboy who had just rolled out of bed and run to class with his pajamas under his clothes. In his rise to power he showed many of the same habits and abilities that would carry him far but also spell his downfall: He was an ebullient, attention-loving mayor of London; a journalist who was fired for making up a quote and filed exaggerated stories about EU excesses; and a politician with an Eton- and Oxford-honed talent for colorful oratory and the thrust and parry of debate. He became known for his light regard for the truth and his glib and offensive remarks. He called Papua New Guineans cannibals and likened Muslim women who wear face-covering veils to “letter boxes.” Recent disclosures that Johnson knew about sexual misconduct allegations against a Conservative lawmaker before he promoted him to a senior position in government proved to be one scandal too many. The crisis began when Chris Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip amid accusations that he had groped two men at a private club. That triggered a series of reports about past allegations against Pincher. Johnson offered shifting explanations about what he knew and when he knew it. That just heightened the sense that the prime minister couldn’t be trusted. Key Cabinet members Javid and Sunak, who were responsible, respectively, for fighting COVID-19 and inflation, resigned within minutes of each other Tuesday. That set off the wave of departures by their colleagues. Now with a leadership election upon them, the Conservatives will have to decide whether they can stomach Johnson as a caretaker leader, a job that normally entails saying little and doing nothing. “To be honest, I think a lot of the public will want to see him gone straightaway,” said Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary, University of London. “You know, they don’t want to see him hanging around like a bad smell in Downing Street.” Source: AP News

The number of polling days in Milne Bay will be shorter because of the increase of 130 polling teams in this year’s National General Election (NGE), says the Milne Bay Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent Peter Barkie. The 130 polling teams were assigned three security personnel each as polling security to assist the Electoral Commission to cover the four districts of Alotau, Esa’ala, Kiriwina Good Enough and Samarai Murua and the 16 Local Level Governments. Mr Barkie said in the 2017 national general elections there were 79 polling teams dispatched into the LLGS and it was a struggle to cover the country’s largest maritime province which has over 252,000 square kilometres of water. He said, “We have over 600 islands of which only 160 are inhabited. So, you can understand the logistical nightmare we have.” Most of the polling started as scheduled on Monday July 4 and ended on Sunday July 10, 2022. Most teams did polls for only three to four days. By Saturday July 9, the Esa’ala district completed polling. Kiriwina Goodenough completed polling at 6pm on Saturday and on Sunday July 10 began transporting ballot boxes into Alotau. Mr Barkie said, “For the Alotau district and all the other LLGS polling is completed except for two LLGs in Rabaraba. We have some landlocked areas that are not connected by road or water so you have to walk for days to get there. We are still waiting for air support to get into those two areas - Daga LLG and Weraura LL. “We were told that helicopters would come on Sunday 10 July so hopefully we get them inserted on Sunday and they poll for two to three days and come back on Wednesday or Thursday this week. “Alotau district has 7 LLGS. Samarai Murua district is mostly islands so all their polling is completed except for one LLG with no communication so we don’t know. We will only know when the boat returns to Misima. Murua area has no communication at all.” He said that as PPC he “planned for the worst but hoped for the best”. He acknowledged that Milne Bay has been known for the wrong reasons, criminals and piracy, but none of that happened during the election period so he is happy that polling is now coming to an end. “Those worst-case scenarios did not happen. We know that there will be discontentment over the ballot boxes or common roll and a lot of people did not find their names in there, but the situation was managed and we proceeded with polling,” he said. According to the Provincial Returning Officer Ivan Maraka, counting should start today or no later than Wednesday this week. The counting will be done at the provincial headquarters in Alotau. Meanwhile, network coverage remains an issue along with other logistical hiccups that stalled polling in some parts of Milne Bay. “Most of our islands do not have networks. So, when you send troops up there, you don’t know what they do up there until they return back on boats from Misima and Alotau,’ Mr Barkie explained. Although Milne Bay only has a total strength of 76 policemen and women for the four districts, he is happy and confident with the boost in manpower of 534 security personnel now on the ground who will assist the Provincial Election Manager to deliver a safe, fair and free 2022 National General Election. Mr Barkie highlighted the arrangements on the ground included the polling security of which 65 reinforcements came NCD, the Quick Response Force (QRF) comprising of 20 Mobile Squad members, 25 from the PNG Defence Force, the Correctional Service with a contingent of 17, 25 members of the Navy Maritime Platoon and seven Water Police personnel. He has activated 285 special constables who assisted in delivering this election with the assistance of his policemen and women including the Command and Logistics support team

Colombo, Sri Lanka (CNN)Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday said he was willing to resign and make way for an all-party government to take over, shortly after protesters reportedly breached his official residence in Colombo during demonstrations over the country's worsening economic crisis. "To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government," Wickremesinghe wrote on Twitter. "To facilitate this I will resign as Prime Minister." His statement came after a meeting of party leaders, held by Sri Lanka's parliament speaker, agreed to ask both the President and Prime Minister to resign per an "overwhelming request," Sri Lankan lawmaker Rauff Hakeem tweeted on Saturday. Wickremesinghe has not yet submitted his letter of resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka's Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena says President Rajapaksa has informed him he will resign on July 13, the speaker's office announced late Saturday. The announcement comes after the Speaker asked the President to resign following a meeting of party leaders. Anger reached unprecedented levels in the South Asian nation of 22 million on Saturday, as more than 100,000 people massed outside Rajapaksa's residence, calling for his resignation. Video broadcast on Sri Lankan television and on social media showed the protesters enter the President's House -- Rajapaksa's office and residence in the commercial capital -- after breaking through security cordons placed by police. Images show demonstrators inside the building and hanging banners from the balcony, as well as swimming in the residence's pool. Rajapaksa is not at the site and has been moved elsewhere, security officials told CNN. It is unclear how many security personnel are present at the location. Protesters then also breached Wickremesinghe's official residence in Colombo, known as Temple Trees, according to local media reports, while video of protesters entering the gates to Wickremesinghe's residence circulated on social media on Saturday. Demonstrators also broke into Wickremesinghe's private residence, on Fifth Lane, and set it on fire, according to his office. Live video streamed by local media and seen by CNN showed the residence engulfed in flames as crowds gathered at the scene. Wickremesinghe was not there at the time it was breached: He had been moved earlier to a secure location, his office said. If both Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa resign, under the Sri Lankan constitution, the speaker of parliament will serve as acting president for a maximum of 30 days. Meanwhile, parliament will elect a new President within 30 days from one of its members who will hold the office for the remaining two years of the current term. At least 55 people have been injured in the protests, according to Dr. Pushpa Zoysa with the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, who said the figure included three people with gunshot wounds. Among those injured is a lawmaker from eastern Sri Lanka, she added. Earlier Saturday, Wickremesinghe called an emergency meeting of party leaders to discuss the current situation and come to a resolution, his office said. He also asked the Speaker of Parliament to summon MPs. Source: CNN.com

WARD 11 Councillor in Waria Local Level Government (LLG), Wau Waria District, Morobe Province expressed his delight that for the first time they can vote in an elected representative to the National Parliament after the successful insertion of a new electorate this year before elections. Councillor Moses Sega said for the first time Wau Waria people were able to cast their votes to elect their new member of parliament to represent the latest district in the province. "Campaign and polling went well in the area without any disturbances," "We only experienced minor issues on missing names on the common roll book but overall polling went smoothly, " "We have 210 eligible voters but only 190 voters voted," "Only few people did not have their names to vote which I am part of the voters who did not vote," Sega said. He said he has served as Councillor for two terms (Ten years) and voted for three Election periods but this time he discovered his name was not in the roll book to cast vote. Polling still continues in Wau Waria District.

As the country heads into the fifth day of polling, Commissioner of Police David Manning has appealed to the people of Papua New Guinea for their continued support and cooperation in delivering the 2022 National General Election. News from around the country have been mixed, with some reporting quiet and peaceful polling whilst others reported instances of attempted hijacking of the election process as reported in Hela and the Enga Province. To members of the security forces, Mr Manning said, “This is a test for all of us. We do not have the luxury nor the option to give up. Be assured we are doing our level best to maintain the electoral process. We have many servicemen and women who believe in our country and are committed patriotic Papua New Guineans. “We will push on and fill aspects of the electoral operations that have or are failing. Trust each other, support each other and put our faith in God our Father.” Prime Minister James Marape was declared member-elect for Tari-Pori last week. Counting for Hela continues today. Acting PPC Hela-CIP Robin Bore has reported that so far there have been no issues of concern regarding counting in Hela. PPC Southern Highlands Province Chief Inspector Daniel Yangen said his province is ready for polling today. PPC WHP-Supt John Sagom said security forces in the province are ready for the polling scheduled for Wednesday July 13, 2022. Roll-over teams will be inserted into 334 polling areas. PPC Chimbu Supt David Warap said his province is also ready for polling. They have QRF units, a Mobile Squad, and a PNGDF platoon monitoring the situation as they await polling on Friday 15 July. He is satisfied with manpower capacity which he said is enough to insert 200 men into each of the districts to cover the polling areas. Over to Border Command, Assistant Commissioner Peter Philips is happy with security arrangements in his command thus far. PPC South & North Fly, Chief Inspector Silva Sika said polling in the Western province started last Tuesday and is progressing well. No election related violence and election is running smoothly in the four electorates (South, North, Delta & Middle Fly). He said some places completed their polling but other places needed air transport and are yet to be airlifted due to bad weather conditions. PPC West Sepik Chief Inspector Joe Poema said polling went smoothly but partially completed in West Sepik. Bad weather in remote areas such as Telifomin has prevented teams from being flown in. Polling in Aitape is expected to end today or tomorrow. For the New Guinea Islands Region polling is said to be generally quiet and peaceful with no election related problems. New Ireland Province PPC Felix Nebanat said polling for the Namatanai Open was completed and all ballot boxes locked away for counting. Polling for the Kavieng Open seat was not held on Saturday as one of its areas, Musau Island, is predominantly a Seventh Day Adventist community. Polling was held for the island community on Sunday instead and completed. Counting for NIP is expected to begin today. For Manus Province PPC Chief Inspector Kiweri Kesambi said polling commenced late on July 6, and was all quiet with no problems so far. They are waiting for news from Aua and Vuvulu LLGs as there is no telephone reception with these two Islands so updates are not forthcoming. The officials are now waiting for the return of Naval Ship Ted Diro which will bring in the ballot boxes from those two LLG. Counting is expected to begin on Wednesday or Thursday this week. Polling for East New Britain is likely to be completed this week with counting expected to begin immediately. No major election related incidents. However, of concern was in Pomio as polling teams had to walk long distances to conduct polling and some officers fell ill and had sore feet. Request was made for the airlift of a security personnel who could not walk. West New Britain Province was also quiet and peaceful. The only incident in the province worth mentioning was in Talasea Ward 1 where supporters of Candidate John Tuka wanted to vote in place of deceased persons thus creating a little bit of tension but police were able to have it under control.

An inspired Baby Broncos outfit turned on the afterburners to rack up a 32-18 win over the Dragons on a pulsating Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium. Celebrating 30 years since the club’s breakthrough 1992 Premiership victory and with that champion team watching on, a Broncos outfit missing nine first-team regulars showed outstanding resilience and scintillating flair to stretch their winning streak at Suncorp Stadium to six games this season in front of 29,234 fans. There wasn’t a bad player for the home team but leading the way were Kobe Hetherington (137 metres run from 15 runs and 37 tackles), Kotoni Staggs (two tries, 134 metres run, three line breaks), and Tesi Niu (Try, 145 metres run, try assist, two line break assists, five tackle busts). Winger Delouise Hoester (two tries and 137 metres run) and debutant backrower Zac Hosking (143 metres run from 17 runs, four tackle breaks, 28 tackles) were also outstanding. It was a Broncos side missing nine of its first-choice players due to Origin duties and injury – Kurt Capewell, Selwyn Cobbo, Pat Carrigan, Corey Oates and Tom Flegler all with the Maroons, while injuries ruled out Payne Haas (shoulders), Te Maire Martin (ribs), Corey Jensen (calf) and Herbie Farnworth (biceps). There were fireworks from the start as Dragons forward Tariq Sims was sinbinned in the third minute for a late and high shot on Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds - and the home team capitalised when they shifted the ball left for Brenko Lee to offload despite the attention of three tacklers to Delouise Hoeter who  drove over low to score his first NRL try and a 4-0 lead. Reynolds was hit late and high again soon after by Dragons hooker Andrew McCullough who was put on report as the Broncos continued to pile the pressure on the Dragon defence without being able to finish off a host of chances. The visitors hit back in the 16th minute when they got a piggyback downfield off the back of a Broncos penalty and Cody Ramsey sliced through on the left edge and sped away to score. Zac Lomax converted from the touchline to give his side a 6-4 lead. And the home side forged further ahead in the 55th minute when Hetherington cut through the middle on the halfway and offloaded to a flying Niu who in turn passed to Mam who sped away to score next to the posts. Reynolds converted for a 26-12 lead. Kotoni Staggs finished the scoring in the 59th minute to capitalise a memorable Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium. Source: Broncos.com.au

The Inter-Departmental Election Committee (IDEC) has defended the government’s electoral process amidst frustrations and disappointments expressed by Papua New Guinean voters during polling, and called for peace and calm. Chairman of IDEC and Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, Ivan Pomaleu, says against all odds, election officials were able to conduct safe and free elections throughout most parts of the country, during this COVID-19 pandemic. “I commend the hard working election officials for your devotion and commitment during this time. Despite confronting challenges, you were able to oversee and conduct polling peacefully.” Mr. Pomaleu stressed that Papua New Guinea had encountered similar challenges in recent elections, especially during polling process, however, added, citizens did not expect such issues of breaching the election process during the week, could suppress their freedom to exercise their voting rights. “I believe in our election processes as trustworthy and can be adjusted to suit the wishes of those involved in the election, but to continue with the uncalled deferral of polling is beyond one’s comprehension.” Mr. Pomaleu said those election officials were entrusted to move the election forward however, it was unfortunate they had to stand down, just over their emotions that the election process and the system have been interfered with. “There are even bigger irregularities in voting that are more serious elsewhere around the world, resulting in protests and burning of properties, but in Papua New Guinea, just because the election process was interfered with, how is it possible for officials to jeopardize polling by resigning and deferring voting.” Mr. Pomaleu added that despite that incident, polling in NCD was conducted peacefully in Moresby North-West and Moresby South while polling in Moresby North-East will commence today, Monday, 11 July. In other parts of the Highlands region, a small fraction of disgruntled and aggressive supporters of candidates have incited violence during the cause of polling in which State properties have been damaged. “IDEC condemns such actions and calls on the Joint Security Task Force to apprehend the perpetrators.” Chairman Pomaleu has also acknowledged the presence of international observers who have been engaged to support the election process currently underway, and believe the Electoral Commission is being guided by their presence in the country. “In recent elections, there have been bitter disputes about the integrity of our electoral system. “As of now, the country continues to witness these appalling scenes of disturbance and violence, created by a few disgruntled and aggressive people, especially in the Highlands region. “I appeal to candidates and their supporters to ensure their voters are comfortable and not discouraged, while casting their votes, and to display a sense of maturity and responsibility during the cause of polling and to avoid further violence.” Meanwhile, Mr.Pomaleu added that the Government has invested a lot of resources in delivering a safe and secure election, however, he notes with regret, actions by a few disrespectful and warmongering groups of people who are determined to frustrate the election process by destroying State assets. “These violent actions must stop immediately."

Polling in the two districts of Gulf Province of Kerema and Kikori is progressing well according to the Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Jeffrey Lemb. He said out of the nine Local Level Governments (LLGS), they spent the last three days in Kerema Urban and have completed polling there. They have now moved to West Kerema and Kerema Central. Lakekamu LLG is also covered and polling is in progress now. Kotidanga and Kaintiba LLGS are remote places and he says they are waiting for airlift from the PNG Electoral Commission to insert the polling teams and security personnel. He said all the security personnel have been identified to escort ballot boxes and materials up to these remote places that are accessible by air alone. Meanwhile, in Kikori Baimuru all the ballot boxes were escorted on Saturday morning. Polling is expected to be conducted today (Monday 11 July 2022). Mr Lamb said the Gulf Province has had a peaceful and quiet election so far with no major incidents. He said the only complaints which are also being raised around the country are names missing from the common roll. Many eligible voters have missed out on casting their vote and not exercising their constitutional rights. Mr Lemb said this prompted a meeting last Friday with the Gulf Provincial Election Steering committee where the Election Manager allowed for the use of the 2017 common roll because of the numerous complaints received from the voters at the polling booths. Mr Lemb said, “The 2017 common roll was given to us in soft copies so Electoral Commission officials in Kerema are working overtime now to print all the 2017 common roll to go to all the polling booths. “This will be used as a supplementary roll with the 2022 common roll if people don’t find their names on the 2022 roll, then they can check the 2017 common roll." Mr Lemb is confident his 50 regular policemen, extra security forces sent to beef up men power on the ground consisting of 20 NCD contingent, seven members of the Mobile Squad, 12 members of the Water Police, 31 personnel from the PNG Correctional Services and 200 Police Reservists will be able to assist him deliver a safe, fair and free 2022 National General Election.

The SP PNG Hunters have produced an inspired 36-22 win over last year’s grand finalists Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Round 14 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. In picturesque conditions at BMD Kougari Oval on Saturday afternoon, the Hunters embraced the lively Wynnum crowd and their intent was evident from the kick-off. The PNG side worked into attacking field position confidently with just their second possession and looked dangerous with the ball until some resolute Seagulls’ defence forced the first error of the match. Marching upfield themselves in response, it was Wynnum Manly who would go on the attack next. They looked to have scored courtesy of a smooth right edge shift only for Hunters’ backrower Kitron Laka to appear out of nowhere in cover and knock the ball loose over the line, saving a certain try. Discipline was the telling difference between this Hunters’ side and the one that lost to Ipswich last week. The Hunters poured through the middle as their middles consistently bent the line in yardage and got through their sets. A new-look halves pairing of Kingstimer Paraia and Judah Rimbu were allowed to play over the advantage line as a result, kicking smartly to the corners to slowly win field position for their team. With every set the Hunters completed they looked more likely to crack Wynnum’s line, and sure enough when a lock-in defensive set forced a Seagulls error deep in their own half, the Hunters would capitalize with cold efficiency. Targeting the middle, the Hunters compressed Wynnum’s line thanks to Paraia’s work around the ruck before shifting quickly to Rimbu on the left edge. Taking possession in space, Rimbu straightened the attack nicely to drop a charging Laka back against the grain to score in the 11th minute, backing up his try saving effort down the other end to open the scoring for the Hunters. Wynnum Manly were next to score in what was becoming a fierce and seesawing contest. When the Hunters failed to find touch with a penalty kick in yardage, the Seagulls would take advantage of the field position to score through Dredin Sorensen in a carbon copy of heir first attacking raid down that edge. Sorensen wouldn’t be denied by the cover defence twice though, stepping back inside his opposite man to dive over in the right corner. The game quickly settled into the grind, with highlight moments mostly coming in defence. A few crunching shots from the Hunters’ Sylvester Namo and Dilbert Issac on former teammate Epel Kapinias – coming off the bench for Wynnum on Saturday – typified the intent PNG brought to BMD Kougari Oval in Round 14. Neither side looked in danger of conceding next points as both defensive systems held, until Hunters’ hooker Wesser Tenza took the field late in the first half and for immediate effect. Showcasing nice skill and deception from behind the ruck, Tenza passed PNG into good ball as he worked over Wynnum’s middle defence. He would first get lucky when a loose pass hit the deck, taking a friendly bounce for skipper Keven Appo to pluck off his laces and dive over to score, giving PNG a 12-4 lead. Tenza’s next two involvements were less opportunistic. Junior Rop was Tenza’s next target close to the line – collecting a subtle and accurate pass this time from Tenza who was making a mockery of the Seagulls’ ruck defence. Not long after halftime, Tenza again smartly worked his forwards into good field position before some lovely sleight-of-hand and a clever pass put Ila Alu over beside the posts in the 43rd minute, capping off a three try-assist frenzy from Tenza either side of the break. On the back of the momentum Tenza helped to create around the ruck, the Hunters’ right edge came alive. Hunters’ centre Rodrick Tai made multiple half-breaks in the second stanza with his footwork and strength through contact terrorising Wynnums’ edge defence. Sure enough, Tai would bust the line working out his own end in the 46th minute and winger Solo Wane provided the speed and support to turn the half chance into points. With a 30-4 lead midway through the second half, the Hunters’ were perhaps guilty of taking their foot off the pedal. The Seagulls showed great resilience to threaten a late comeback, running in three tries in quick succession to narrow PNG’s lead to eight. The Hunters’ nerve would hold though, absorbing the pressure of a fast-finishing Seagulls’ outfit to eventually force an error in the 76th minute as Wynnum tried to shift it left. Wane would pounce on the loose ball and race 70 metres upfield to seal the result for the Hunters.

As polling wraps up in parts of the country, New Ireland experienced a mostly peaceful polling period, beginning on Monday 5th July, in spite of bad weather, most ground officials performed diligently. In Kavieng there was a slight delay with Kavieng Open Candidates petitioning against an extra 9,899 extra ballot papers outside of the legal ballot papers allocated for Kavieng. But the issue was swiftly resolved at the Kavieng Police Station and polling went ahead around 11am. Incumbent Governor Sir Julius Chan didn’t waste any time, he cast his vote on Monday at Danmirik Primary school, ward 8 of the Matalai LLG. In the central LLG, specifically Kasubio logging road, there were reports of a vehicle carrying ballot papers catching fire, but swift intervention by scrutineers for Byron Chan, John Merebo, James Siat and NA scrutineers helped to save the ballot boxes. The general outlook from all polling locations throughout New Ireland was that there were too many eligible voter names not included in the Electoral rolls. “EC has a lot of catching up to do, and must consider local statistics derived from the village record book which was turned away by the EC,” said Sir J. While Polling officials said the Electoral roll was an updated one to the 2017 roll, it was found that many voters that voted in 2017 could not find their names. There were also instances where names of the dead were still on the electoral roll. However others who registered their names to vote in the recent five years did find their names. “I’m confused? I voted in 2017 and my name isn’t in this electoral roll. My right to vote has been deprived. The Electoral commission has five years to get things right, they should not have any excuses. Where does the huge funding go to? The Elections must be a priority,” said a disappointed Bruno Malazimba from Leon, Djaul Island. Otherwise polling in New Ireland was held in true New Ireland fashion with coffee nights buzzing the night before polling to lift spirits and create a sort of calm and ease. With counting set for next week, New Ireland Governor Sir Julius thanked all New Irelanders for the peaceful polling period, against showers, were great and urged the same spirit of cooperation for the counting period. Counting for the Namatanai Open seat will take place at Stemper Hall, for Kavieng Open Peter ToRot Hall and for the Regional Seat Fisheries College. “Had the EC listened to the Provincial Steering Committee and allowed the work put in by the Provincial Government and reached a legal understanding. One day polling would have gone well. It’s the EC, that has dragged New Ireland into the wrong direction, created uncertainties and frustrated the eligible voters. Depriving my people their rights,” said Sir J. He said a full investigation of the EC should be undertaken. “It certainly had enough money to run a free and fair elections. This is the worst Elections since Independence. For future Elections the Provinces should be given full Autonomy to run their elections, since the EC continues to fail miserably.”