2 July 2001
Statement by the Socialist Party (Australia):
Papua New Guniea
Port Moresby the capital of Papua New Guniea has ground to a stand-still as protests continue,targeting the economic reforms of Sir Mekere Moratura's colliation Government.Up to six people have been killed after police moved in on the peaceful demonstration that was deemed illegal due to the fact that a permit had not been sought for the gathering.
Students based at the University of Papua New Guniea have been instramental in the demonstration since it began on the 21st of June.Demonstrator's presented the Government with a petition demanding an end to it's privatisation programme,sever all ties with the IMF and World Bank and scrap PNG's land registration scheme.
Papua New Guniea located between Australia and Asia is a island rich in natural resoures such as oil,natural gas,gold,copper and timber.The Moratura Governement is under fire for trying to re-establish PNG'S relationship with the World Bank and IMF who have set down a strict privatisation criteria for PNG after these bodies loaned the country $50 million to prop up it's economy in 1995.A country so rich in natural resource's should be able to provide prosperity for it's people.
However it's the Global operations who are benefiting as they pillar the country,reaping the rewards of the World Bank and IMF ideology.Prior to the current action the PNG banking system was brought to a near stand-still as workers from the PNG banking corporation went out on strike in protest at the governments propsed plans to privatise the bank.3 union officals were suspended for conducting a "Illegal" stop work meeting.
Presently many of PNG'S youth are extremely disaffected resulting in a lot of young people facing a crisis of identity.Unemployment levels are high in a time where minimum wages have been halfed.Young people have limited accees to eduction particularly passed a primary level.Only 30% of PNG youth make it through secondary school while only a mere 1% go on to tertiary education.
Papua New Guniea gained full independence in 1975.Prior to this the Eastern half of the island was ruled by Australia and the Western half was a Dutch colony.Australian culture still plays a large role in PNG, particuarly in Port Moresby.The major newspaper "The Post Courier" is predominately owned in the same interests as Australia's News Ltd papers and is similar in it's conservative tabloid style reporting of events.Since the action of demonstrators on the 21st of June the paper has been out of circulation as the business centre of Port Moresby has been closed down.Television relies heavily on Australia for its program schedule with most programmes coming from either Kerry Packers PBL's empire or from the Australian government in the form of the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
Police moved in on the 26th of June targeting demonstrators who had gathered at the University of Papua New Guniea putting into place their minimum use of "Force" plan which involved tear Gas and the firing of blanks at the un-armed crowd.Protesters turned aggressive in response to the violence of police,as a result an attempt was made by authorites to regain control of the city by imposing a 7pm-5am curfew for Port Moresby which is in place until July 10.The govrnment has warned demonstrators that troops will be moved in if their actions continue.The Australian Government has given support to this move with Foreign Minister Alexander Downer even suggesting that Australian troops may be used to ensure that "Necessary" reforms continue to be put into place.
Capitalism has failed the people of Papua New Guniea.The current Morauta government finds itself in the un-envible position of trying to meet the needs of his people while at the same time facing enormous pressure from bodies like the World bank.It is capitalism that has allowed global interests to rape PNG dry of its natural resource's crippling its economy which in turn has put the World Bank in the position of being able to pressurise PNG into loans that come at the cost of meeting the criteria of the World Bank.
The CWI calls for a:
- Socialist Papua New Guniea
- The Nationalisng of all major ultilities under worker's control
- Sustainable industry with a focus towards the Environment
- An increase in spending on educating Papua New Guniea's Youth
- Free education for all in Papua New Guniea
- Elected representives in Parliament on a Worker's wage
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