SUVA DAILY — 25 March 2026
PNG Prime Minister Tables Public Service Reform Bill; Indigenous Landowners Demand Halt to Panguna Mine Activities
PNG PM Marape Orders Full Report on PNGDF Recruitment Ahead of 2027 Elections
Prime Minister James Marape directed urgent comprehensive report into Papua New Guinea Defence Force recruitment concerns, assuring transparency and accountability. Post-Courier reports directive came in response to East Sepik Governor Allan Bird's questions about integrity and regional balance of recruitment.
Panguna Landowners Coalition Demands Immediate Halt to All Mine Activities, Threatens Legal Action
Newly formed Panguna Osiqaiyang Coalition issued urgent call for immediate halt of all Panguna mine activities, demanding Autonomous Bougainville Government, Bougainville Copper Limited, and Lloyds Metals respect legally guaranteed landowner rights. Post-Courier reports coalition declares customary landowner involvement not optional but essential.
Solomon Islands Speaker Calls for Dialogue as Mass MP Defection Leaves PM Manele With Minority Government
Speaker Patterson Oti warned mass defection of government MPs has created unprecedented situation, leaving Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele with minority government. RNZ Pacific reports Speaker called for dialogue to resolve political standoff.
PNG Forestry Ministers Submit Seven Special Economic Zone Proposals to National Executive Council
Minister for Forest Salio Waipo and Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru jointly signed seven submissions seeking National Executive Council approval to establish Special Economic Zones for forestry sector in seven provinces. Post-Courier reports submissions cover East Sepik, West Sepik, Madang, Morobe, Gulf, Central and East New Britain.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James MARAPE tabled the Prime Minister (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Parliament 25 March, describing the legislation as decisive reform aimed at strengthening accountability and improving efficiency across the public service, Post-Courier reported. A coalition of indigenous resource owners issued an urgent call for the immediate halt of all activities concerning the Panguna mine, demanding that the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL), and Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd respect their legally guaranteed rights, Post-Courier reported 25 March. Papua New Guinea and Bougainville governments remain without apparent preparedness for what follows the parliamentary decision on Bougainville independence, RNZ Pacific reported 24 March, as the decision date approaches. Solomon Islands Speaker Patterson OTI warned 24 March that mass defection of government MPs creating a minority government represents an unprecedented situation, RNZ Pacific reported. Fiji reactivated the Tourism Action Group amid intensifying Middle East conflict, FBC News reported 24 March. END SUMMARY.
