Questions in Parliament

PNG Post Courier 10th June 2005

PM taken to task again

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare, his National Alliance party and links with key players in the forestry industry and carbon trade initiative all came under scathing attack in Parliament yesterday.
And while Sir Michael delayed his extensive response to next week, he later called a press conference at which he blamed the questions and inferences on ignorance by MPs and smearing attack in readiness for the coming 2007 election fever. (See full response by Prime Minister, Page 5)
Markham MP Andrew Baing, backed with supplementary questions by Alotau MP Isaac Taitibe, combined in the double barrage during Question Time with queries on how Sir Michael would reconcile amendments to the Forestry Act and his international crusade on carbon trading.
Sir Michael has been spearheading the developing countries’ response to the global fight against climate change with a “pay us to preserve our forests’ for our air” agenda.
Mr Baing warned that amendments to the Forestry Act “whether the Government liked it or not, would destroy the country’s forest resources beyond repair”.
Mr Baing then hurled another question, inferring that the amendments were designed to accommodate “certain foreign-owned timber companies to entrench themselves in the forest industry” in return for funding National Alliance’s 2007 campaign.
The spotlight then moved to questions on whether Sir Michael, his family, and cohorts would gain financially by the Prime Minister championing the carbon trade crusade.
Sir Michael was asked about his relationship with merchant bank Pacific Capital Ltd which recently signed an agreement to “commercialise” PNG carbon with National Planning Minister Arthur Somare, with subtle indications alleging reservations by the Bank of Papua New Guinea on PCL’s financial position.
The questions got more personal with a focus on a Kevin Conrad who helped facilitate — and entertained the Prime Minister — on trips to Columbia University, New York where he launched the carbon trading initiatives.
Mr Baing raised concern about Mr Conrad’s past involvement in Angco Ltd, the former Papua New Guinea Banking Corporation (for loans), interest in the Wewak tuna project, a real estate company known as New Lifestyle Homes Ltd and a failed housing scheme for Public Officers Superannuation Fund.
“Did it occur to the Prime Minister that the mansion ‘he visited’ might have been built with money stolen from PNG?” Mr Baing asked.
The Markham MP also asked if Sir Michael would use his close personal ties with Mr Conrad to ensure he is brought back to answer charges and fulfil his obligations from the past involvements.
Mr Taitibe secured time for supplementary questions and let lose with queries alleging a K30 million payout to Mr Conrad. He said Treasurer Bart Philemon was reluctant about this supposed payment but had been allegedly forced to ensure it took place by the Prime Minister.
Sir Michael, in the press conference, distanced his family, Wewak Tuna Corporation, and himself from any personal gains arising from all these inferences, innuendos and outright allegations.