GOWRIE'S PLANS FOR CONFLICT ISLANDS

MILNE Bay’s unpopulated Conflict Islands in Misima have been a topic of much debate over their unclear acquisition and ownership. The chain of 21 islands has been put on the market by global tycoon and owner Ian Gowrie-Smith who bought the islands in 2006 and now has what is called a freehold title on them. Ian’s vision for the islands is based on tourism and investment but also conservation and preservation of the environment. Clans of the nearby Panaeati Island however also have a claim to the chain and have been requesting that their members intervene to no avail. Daniel Duncan of the Sisilili clan says in the eighteenth century the islands were originally leased for agricultural purposes which never eventuated and are now on this commercial lease. Smith’s development goals have earned him the support of the Milne Bay government with backing from Governor Titus Philemon and his electorate members. “I have begun the consultation this week with stakeholders and interested parties in POM and soon Alotau and the government is in support of what I am trying to achieve,” Smith said. He said owning and developing land in PNG is not just a piece of paper but a social contract with locals. “Coral atolls are not much use to the locals as they cannot be used to grow food and fishing is easy from their own islands so the best way to make the islands beneficial to the people is through investment and employment,” he said. There will be development that will ensure a minimal ecological footprint using environmentally friendly technology such as solar power, treated recyclable water and bio-mass generators. Among his many ventures Smith has invested in wildlife conservation in South Africa converting barren land into a thriving game reserve and received an award for sustainable architecture. “There is a draft constitution that interested investors will have to sign if they want to come in to the islands but I have no 100 percent guarantee that they will share the same goals as me,” he said. Panaeati Islanders however still challenge the ownership claims saying that there has been no consultative process with them and their members who vowed to fight for the islands have failed them. “We were told if we voted them in they would give the ownership back to the people but they have not kept their word,” he said. Attempts to obtain comments from members of the Milne Bay Government was unsuccessful.

PM O'NEILL TO LOOK INTO CONFLICT ISLANDS MATTER

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says a decision on the sale of the 22 conflict group of islands will be made once he has received legal advice on the matter. O’Neill said the matter is being looked at by him and the Milne Bay Provincial Government and will be deliberated on once proper legal advice is given. It follows an appeal by the Linawia Sisilili Clan, of Panaeati, Misima’s Chairman, Daniel Duncan asking for the Government to look into the matter and possibly buy and return the ownership back to the islanders. Duncan said the 22 islands ownership has changed hands since 1896 with the original title of the islands being a state lease granted by Sir William Macgregor the then Australian Governor of the New Guinea protectorate to Sir Henry Alexander Wickham a pioneer planter and adventurer after administration was given to Australia in 1906.

“The lease granted by Macgregor to Wickham was a state lease for sponge farming and coconut (copra) planting,”he said. He said since 1896 the title has changed hands several times eventually being bought by Australian born pharmaceutical and mining magnate Ian Gowrie Smith from Honolulu residences Lu and Marry Anne Nevels in June 2003 for US$25million.

Duncan said the battle to regain ownership to their traditional birthright has taken them decades with appeals to different governments having no positive outcome. He said in 2006 the title to the islands was declared by Lands Department Register of Titles in an advertisement on the print media that the copy was lost. Duncan appealed to the Government to correct mistakes made by previous state agencies and return the islands back to them.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA LACKS CYBER-CRIME LAWS

Source: The National

The lack of funds and no proper body to deal with emerging crimes related to Information Communication Technology (ICT)in Papua New Guinea is a worrying sign as there is an increase in crimes being committed on the internet. Recently a man was arrested and charged for stalking, luring and posting indecent materials of women without their consent, preying on their lack of knowledge of ICT to torture them. The women were asked to have sex, pay money or marry the stalker if they wanted the indecent materials associated with them removed from the social network sites. A man who wanted to remain anonymous said: “His wife nearly fell victim to the stalker however as they were IT professionals, they tracked the stalker until he was successfully arrested, charged and locked up in prison awaiting court appearance.

National Information Communication Technology Authority Legal Services Manager Ian Mileng said, “With crimes committed using ICT as a medium there is no tangible element as in traditional crimes such as murder where an accused can be prosecuted based on the elements involved in committing the crime.”

He said that it was tougher to prosecute crimes committed using ICT as it was not tangible and also there was no legal frame in placed to prosecute offenders.

Mileng said, “An adhoc group was formed at the request of the National Executive Council Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuouc in March 2012 comprising of members from the National Intelligence Organization, Attorney General, Public Prosecutor, NICTA, Law reform Commission and a private lawyer. He said that the group however has limited funding and members volunteered therefore the pace in which a legal framework can be set up for cyber crimes is far from becoming law.

Esa'ala MP CALLS FOR REVIEW OF PRE-COLONIAL LAND LEGISLATIONS

We need to revise and review land legislations adopted from pre-colonial days to respond with our people’s aspiration today, says Esa ‘ala MP and Civil Aviation Minister Davis Steven.

Steven said the current land legislations especially on freehold lease was pre-colonial and was adopted by the House of Assembly before and immediately after the independence of Papua New Guinea.

“These laws are a travesty of justice an error of law, a paradox that ought to be corrected,” he said.

The current legal regime that was adopted by PNG from its colonial rulers is still being used today which has brought about problems of ownership on Woodlark and Conflicts islands in Milne Bay.

He said PM O’Neill was the only top politician in the history of the country to have taken the bold initiative to tackle the issue head on, with the success in reverting and granting ownership of Woodlark Island back to the traditional owners.

“The problem must not be deferred further, it must be solved during our time so as not to pass to future generations,” he said.

“It takes will power and the necessary bureaucratic process to do it.”

Steven said the relevant state agencies such as the Lands Department, Department of Attorney General (DJAG) and others should guide the cabinet (NEC) in taking the decision necessary required for the interest of the people of PNG.

He said any call by cabinet to pass or amend land legislations as a remedy in respect to freehold-lease and the Conflict groups of island would be supported by him as the member of Esa’ ala.