PNG Haus Bung

https://pnghausbung.com/restore-public-trust-publish-covid-19-financial-reports-now/

Published on April 25, 2021

RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST - PUBLISH COVID-19 FINANCIAL REPORTS NOW

Friday, 23rd April 2021 Port Moresby – Concerns over the abuse of COVID-19 funding have been heightened in the past few weeks, with new allegations of the awarding of contracts to public servants suggesting a direct conflict of interest. Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) has now called on the government to release all reports on funding for the COVID-19 response to restore public trust. TIPNG has been calling for greater accountability of COVID-19 funds since the initial declaration of the State of Emergency (SOE) in 2020, and subsequent emergency declarations. “In the absence of reliable and readily available expenditure reports, public trust in both the National Government and the National COVID-19 response is greatly weakened. It is understandable that citizens will be skeptical and suspicious of the Government’s handling of public health matters if they do not have full confidence in the management of public finances,” said Peter Aitsi, TIPNG Board Chair. “Building on from the initial efforts in 2020 to track COVID-19 funding, TIPNG is sharing information from the most recent World Health Organisation situation report on PNG which includes funds received through the Government’s Trust Account. However, this is not all the information, for instance, there has been no consolidated public report released on international donor assistance received by the government or audited expenditure report presented in Parliament,” he said. To ensure informed public debate, the National Government's Financial Procurement Committee, under the Pandemic Act, must release to the public the following: 1. a detailed expenditure report for any procurement authorized by the office of the Emergency Controller. 2. a breakup of the Bilateral and Donor assistance, financial or otherwise, received to date. 3. a summary of funds allocated to Provincial Health Authorities, as well as acquittal status. 4. the full Internal Audit Report by Pape Accountants In 2020. While Parliament has now been adjourned to August 10th 2021, the matter of transparency and accountability in the management of COVID-19 funding remains as urgent as ever. TIPNG now calls on the National Government and the Financial Procurement Committee to prioritize the release of this information, as it is critical to restoring public confidence not only in the COVID-19 response effort, but also in the PNG Government as a whole.

Published on April 25, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/link-png-and-png-air-reapply-to-iccc-following-extended-effects-of-covid-19/

Published on April 25, 2021

LINK PNG AND PNG AIR REAPPLY TO ICCC FOLLOWING EXTENDED EFFECTS OF COVID-19

Link PNG has today confirmed that it and PNG Air have reapplied to ICCC for Link PNG to acquire a minority shareholding in PNG Air. Both PNG Air and Link PNG believe ICCC approval of this will benefit Papua New Guinean Nationals and travellers. Link PNG Chairman Sir Kostas Constantinou, and PNG Air Chairman Mr. Augustine Mano advised that the proposed joint venture between Link PNG and MRDC is based on PNG Air remaining as an independent airline, setting its own airfares and selling its own tickets totally separately from Air Niugini. Both Chairman in a joint statement noted that “It’s is critical that PNG continue to have two independent airlines, PNG Air and Air Niugini, and there continue to be a strong competitive domestic market” They added that “ Covid-19 has gone on much longer than anyone in the world has expected and this continued to have a negative effect on both airlines, and hence whilst its important we continue to operate independently at the commercial level, also that the airlines leverage off this opportunity to deliver cost reductions” “ World aviation has been badly damaged by Covid-19, including in our region where the Fijian Government has had to issue loan guarantees for K 788 million to support Fiji Airways, whilst elsewhere Governments have had to pay billions of Kina to keep their airlines alive. We believe this move, if approved, will ensure PNG’s airline industry is profitable, sustainable and competitive without having to rely on Government support. Both airlines are ultimately owned by the people of PNG, either the taxpayer, contributors to superannuation or as a landowner so it is critical both airlines are viable” The Chairmen noted that the proposal is based on Link PNG only having a minority share position, and all the commercial functions remaining separate and independent including; (i) the sales of all of PNG Air’s air tickets, including all pricing and yield management of these air fares, including all staff associated with these functions; (ii) The marketing of PNG Air, including existing sales offices and a separate website (iii) PNG Air retaining an independent Board and Management (iv) Ensuring that all cabin crew, sales staff and check-in staff are in PNG Air uniforms (v) Ensuing that all of PNG Air’s aircraft remain in PNG Air livery. The key synergy benefits would come from back office functions that can be more efficiently managed across the two airlines and more efficient use of the fleet. They stated “We believe there is a compelling case for creating a stronger independent PNG Air, across a wider network, as well as ensuring job security. We will also ensure the savings created will be passed back onto our customers, through more affordable airfares; with the lower prices resulting from economies of scale and through the considerable cost efficiencies that are available” Sir Kostas and Mr. Mano said the proposal would be of huge benefit for airline passengers, as well as ensuring job security across both airlines and the continuation of the PNG Air brand in our skies. Additionally they noted that “With the savings we will generate, we will be able to pass this back onto our customers through more affordable airfares.” Both Link PNG and PNG Air will require all regulatory and shareholder approvals, including from ICCC, before the joint venture is finalised.

Published on April 25, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/three-new-covid-19-deaths-reported-on-friday-23-april-png-total-deaths-at-102/

Published on April 25, 2021

THREE NEW COVID-19 DEATHS REPORTED ON FRIDAY 23 APRIL – PNG TOTAL DEATHS AT 102

Three new COVID-19 deaths were reported within the last 24 hours ending 12 midday on Friday 23 April, bringing Papua New Guinea’s total deaths to 102. Fifty-two new COVID-19 cases were reported in nine districts in six provinces within the same period, increasing the country's total confirmed cases 10,602. The deaths were reported in the Eastern Highlands province and in the National Capital District. EHP reported two deaths, both males at the ages of 65 and 68 years whilst NCD reported the death of a 65-year-old male. To date, NCD has recorded 64 deaths followed by EHP with eight deaths whilst Jiwaka and Milne Bay recorded five deaths each. West New Britain reported four deaths whilst Morobe, West Sepik and Western province reported three deaths each. East Sepik, New Ireland and Western Highlands reported two deaths each whilst Enga reported a single death. Nine districts in six provinces reported new COVID-19 cases on Friday April 23. They include: the Autonomous Region of Bougainville reported 17 cases, Eastern Highlands eight, Madang 14, West New Britain 11 and East New Britain and West Sepik a single case each. Of the 52 cases, 40 were males and 12 females. Their ages range from 20 to 76 years. At the time of testing, 34 cases were showing symptoms of COVID-19 whilst 18 were asymptomatic. All 22 provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases of COVID-19. Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 is 143,445,675 including 874,381 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll is 3,051,736 including 14,033 new cases also reported within the same period. PNG COVID-19 statistics for last 24 hours up to 12 midday, Friday April 23, 2021.

Published on April 25, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/sports-update-going-forward-2021/

Published on April 25, 2021

SPORTS UPDATE GOING FORWARD 2021

The PNGSF has been in discussions with the NCC in preparing a return to sports strategy going forward for 2021. It is important to note that these discussions are continuous, and outcomes are dependent on the current state of the pandemic in the community. So, decisions may change without notice. Read More [pdf-embedder url="https://pnghausbung.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PNGSF-PMC-Statement-21st-April-2021.pdf" title="PNGSF PMC Statement - 21st April 2021"]

Published on April 25, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/the-falcon-and-the-winter-soldier-finale-completes-its-ambitious-heros-journey/

Published on April 25, 2021

'THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER' FINALE COMPLETES ITS AMBITIOUS HERO'S JOURNEY

While more conventional than "WandaVision," Marvel's "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" explored a bracingly provocative theme over its six-episode run -- namely, can a Black man in good conscience take up the mantle of Captain America? That hero's journey concluded with a slightly scattered finale that didn't match the terrific buildup, but which did reinforce the show's admirable ambition. In essence, the six episodes served as a protracted origin story, picking up where "Avengers: Endgame" left off. Yet Steve Rogers' parting wish that his friend Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) take up his iconic shield -- a wish shared by Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), a.k.a. the Winter Soldier -- overlooked the decades of struggle that, in different ways, those characters missed after World War II. Sam's path to overcoming that reluctance -- and accepting his transformation from the Falcon into Captain America -- evoked dark chapters in US history, including the government experimenting on African-American men. "They will never let a Black man be Captain America," Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), the surviving victim of that injustice, told Sam in an earlier episode, which made the latter's appearance in the revised uniform -- courtesy of the Wakandans -- and hearing him utter the words "I'm Captain America" a particularly stirring moment. As his speech about the need to help refugees and dispense with labels made clear, few screen superheroes have felt more grounded. The last few episodes were so wildly entertaining, though, that the rest of the finale didn't quite measure up, wrestling with too many side plots, including the fate of John Walker (Wyatt Russell) after his ill-advised stint as Captain America, and his seduction by the mysterious Val (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Throw in the revelations about Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp), and for once Marvel's famous teases for future projects felt a little more conspicuously like loose ends, begging for a second season. The show also found time to let Bucky come to grips with his grim history as a ruthless killing machine, but ultimately its greatest asset stemmed from what Marvel identified in Mackie and Stan's screen time together in "Captain America: Civil War" -- the breezy chemistry between them, and how these characters move on without the guy who united them. "WandaVision" and now "Falcon and the Winter Soldier" took full advantage of the creative latitude that streaming provides, with the freedom to devote six hours to a story and allow such relationships to breathe in a way that movies can't. Overall the series deftly accomplished its primary mission, which was to explore the dramatic tension in Wilson becoming Captain America, in a way that went beyond just being told the shield now belonged to him. It also continued to demonstrate Marvel's ability to mount big, muscular action in productions for Disney+, while showcasing the depth of its universe. In earlier episodes, though, "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" occasionally soared. Measured against those highs, the finale didn't quite stick the landing. Source: CNN News

Published on April 25, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/us-president-joe-biden-to-propose-hiking-tax-on-rich/

Published on April 25, 2021

US PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO 'PROPOSE HIKING TAX ON RICH'

US President Joe Biden is reportedly set to propose a tax hike on the wealthiest Americans. The proposal would raise the top marginal rate and increase taxes on investment gains for the rich. The tax rise would help pay for childcare and education, but would not be used for healthcare, according to reports. The news triggered a selloff on Wall Street, with major indexes slipping during Thursday's trading session. Biden unveils 'once in a generation' spending plan Minimum wage fight: 'There's no recovery without raising it' The White House said the American Family Plan, which Mr Biden is expected to lay out in full next week, will not affect any family earning less than $400,000 a year. "His view is that that should be on the backs... of the wealthiest Americans who can afford it and corporations and businesses who can afford it," said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. The proposal would increase the top marginal income tax rate to 39.6% from 37%, according to the New York Times and Bloomberg. The move would effectively reverse Donald Trump’s 2017 income tax cut for highest income earners. The plan would also nearly double taxes on capital gains to 39.6% for people earning more than $1m. It’s a dramatic increase from the current rate of 20%. In some states which impose their own capital gains tax, the total bill some investors could face might exceed 50%. The plan is widely expected to encounter resistance from Republicans in Congress. Although the Democrats hold a slim majority, they may not support the plan unanimously. Nevertheless, the news was enough to cause a few jitters on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 420 points before reigning in its losses slightly. "If it had a chance of passing, we'd be down 2,000 points," Thomas Hayes, from Great Hill Capital told Reuters. The tech-heavy Nasdaq index also slipped 0.9%. Source: BBC News

Published on April 25, 2021