Australian National University

Australian National University researcher Anthony Swan explores how Australians’ perceptions of Papua New Guinea are influenced by the Australian media.

Competition Commission concerned about possible monopoly in gas sector, O’Neill to issue statement on government shareholding in BCL and ANZ Bank CEO says there may be a need for a Supplementary Budget. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

LNG overtakes gold as PNG’s top export, number of female executive appointments in PNG public service low and Bank of South Pacific reports profit rise. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

Although many parts of the country are returning to normal, the Papua New Guinea drought is continuing to affect both its formal and informal economies. Business Advantage PNG receives an update on the situation from agricultural expert, Dr Mike Bourke.

The Ok Tedi mine expected to start again in March, the US formally withdraws from fishing treaty, and unions call on government to honour superannuation commitments. Your weekly digest of the latest business news.

Now in its fifth month, PNG’s drought is having its biggest impact in high altitude locations and on the fringe of the Central Highlands, according to Agricultural Scientist, Dr Mike Bourke. He told Business Advantage PNG that this year’s drought is at least as bad as the 1997 drought, which affected nearly a million people in rural PNG.

While the number of work permits Papua New Guinea has issued to Pacific Islanders has quadrupled in the last ten years, Pacific workers still make up just one per cent of the total foreign work force in the Pacific’s largest economy. But that may be about to change.

An analysis of foreign workers coming to Papua New Guinea since 2000 indicates a chronic lack of skilled tradespeople, according to Lae-based business leaders. While skills training initiatives are under way, an expected surge in mining projects over the next few years highlights the urgency for more skilled workers.

The PNG Government’s decision to review the 2015 Budget has been welcomed, while another prominent economist suggests further foreign investment can be attracted by improved policy settings.

The impact of the fall in LNG prices since the 2015 Budget was prepared in October last year warrants a mid-year mini-Budget, according to prominent economist Paul Flanagan.