Could I venture nobody in PNG does anything for PNG's benefit, just themselves?

I don't think PNG is a failed State - yet - but it is certainly dysfunctional. Unfortunately the concept of a western Democracy is contrary to the Papua New Guinea culture.

Did a payroll tax error really cause the Public Servant's underpayment of wages? I wonder whether the countries liquidity may have been an issue and wages were intentionally reduced rather than risking pay cheques being dishonoured? Not the first time Government payments were dishonoured.

And the future looks bleak with more civil unrest due to the high possibility the Prime Minister may be dislodged in the near future.

I stand by any comments I make.

I started flying in PNG in 1973, had a break then back in 1980, and apart from a short break in years 2000 , I flew my last flight before retirement in PNG.

Seen some changes.

Kagamuga :D

My PNG experience started in 1975 and finishing last year (not all flying, but all aviation-related), and I also feel entitled to comment as I see fit.

Is PNG a failed state? Probably not yet in a technical sense, but the people in charge up there seem to be trying really bloody hard to make it happen.

Paul Barker, PNG Institute of National Affairs, commented on the problem of 1,300 PNG government institutions not communicating well with each other.

"And don't even think about accepting an 'Ilpoc'"

One of the first things said to me when I started working for Simbu Aviation way back.

A bit difficult for a pollie to fit any of that in a brown paper envelope and put it in your back pocket - oh, except the "financially" bit.

I left PNG over 30 years ago. But even way back then I remember being asked by 'Elderly Villagers' (and occasionally some not-so-elderly) the same question, and so many times I lost count.

"Mr Pilot, when taim bilong Masta come back?"

I'll stick my neck out and say that the above mentioned scenario would be the only thing that could possibly bring stability to that wretched place.:ooh: However, it just aint gunna happen!:mad:

….and arrived in PNG 31.5 years ago! 😂

Lolzo at the PNG newbies and the lefties saying PNG is not a failed state.

Get out of your pilot hotel, and go walkabout at 11pm, then get back to us.

My mother's friend was one of the last white chiefs aka village elders, in the highlands there, just before independence. the tribes came to him to resolve their disputes. And of course after independence he had to leave.

Who, You?:confused:

I admit I wasn't there all that long. All up I spent about 18 months there. First arrived in late January '90'
Left when Dz closed around September that year. Went back around mid 91 and left for good in March 92. Think that I have mentioned that in previous posts on the PNG threads.

Loved my time there and am still bitter about the manner of my leaving!:{ I had intended to stay indefinitely.

So The Donne, when were you there?

There is a vast wealth of practical PNG knowledge in this thread, many of us spent long periods of our lives living and working in the country, in my case 23 years. However none of us "walked in the shoes" of a village Papua New Guinean and I doubt any of us really understand the infinite complexities of PNG culture or the socio-economic impact on today's village life. We each have an opinion with many valid points.

Derogatory comments towards other users are inappropriate and will be removed.

2002-2017

Well done Gough, the big man! Ploughed through, reckoned he knew everything. PNG was on the right path until ge came along, but they were granted independence at least 20 years too early. And look at it now, Gough has got a lot to be accountable for. Don’t want to speak ill of those no longer with us, but Gough did PNG a massive disservice! End of story!

Not necessarily the case for some of those who are married to a Papua New Guinean.

Depends on a lot of variables such as where the wife/husband comes from, how long they have been married, where they live (in country or outside), children, etc.

The wantok system can also be pretty strong for an expat, and usually depends to some extent on where wife/husband is from.

either throw 20-200 aud billion into the place, or let the chinese take over. As in massive infrastructure and tourism projects. where's andrew forest? Why do aussie bogans go to to bali instead of PNG and Solomon Islands? Also TI. Why isin't Jestar flying 3x daily into Rabul?

As Gunny Highway would say, "It's a Cluster F#ck!"

Said country has no interest in developing anything other than Forward Operating Bases with long runways and votes for them at the UN.

For who tho bro?: and at it is point in time does really give a f*ck? Oh you mean winnie the poo up north??

winnie the poo

PNG is rich in resources, has some of the best fishing grounds in the South Pacific, world class SCUBA diving and many potential tourist destinations such as Rabaul. Whilst a little off the beaten track it could easily give Bali and Fiji some serious competition if the tourism sector was competently managed.

Unfortunately the law and order problems block any development in this area. Whilst raskol gangs run unchecked and there is a very real danger of being robbed, kidnapped, raped or murdered, only the very adventurous will be willing to take the risk.

My memories of Port Moresby include the fact that no one uses barbed wire for security, it’s all razor wire which is much more difficult to penetrate, and seeing a revolver of Dirty Harry proportions in the doctor’s top draw while he was doing my medical.

In the highlands I remember seeing a helicopter with a machete attached to the centre pedestal for self defence, some aircraft carried a shotgun. Our GM used to carry an emergency flare device to fire at bandits if they tried to rob him whilst he was driving. A few months after I left, the house was robbed by a raskol gang who broke in and grabbed the TV and VCR while a Twin Otter crew were inside.

I had a total of 30 years working in PNG. Seen lots of changes in that time.