Revealing the Fortnightly Earnings of Papua New Guinea MPs: How Much Are They Getting?

Papua New Guineans are eager to know how much their Members of Parliament (MPs) are earning every fortnight, as taxpayers who fund their salaries. 

Two articles on MPs' annual salary have gained significant attention on PNG Insight, with one dating back to December 2014 and the other to January 2015. 

These articles took into account all the pay increments from the Somare government's 52% increase in November 2010 to the O'Neill government's 30% increase from November 2013 to 2016. 

PNG MPs Salary Increases

Are MPs the highest-paid public servants?

It is well known that MPs in Papua New Guinea are among the highest-paid public servants, along with other well-to-do officials like the Chief Justice and Chief Secretary. 

Here, you'll find the base pay of MPs and calculate see much each MP would have earned every fortnight, based on the 2010 base pay and the over 80% increments over six years until 2016. 

It's important to note that this calculation does not include allowances, perks, and privileges that MPs are entitled to, and only reflects their base salary.

Do PNG MPs need another pay increase? 


So, the question arises: do MPs really need another pay increase? Let's examine the figures in the table below, which speak volumes:

The 111 MPs in Papua New Guinea share over K15 million (Kina) every year, which amounts to over half a million Kina every fortnight.

The Prime Minister earns the highest salary among MPs, making them likely the highest-paid public servant in the country, surpassing even the Chief Justice.

Provincial governors are at the bottom of the MPs' pay scale, earning five times less than the Prime Minister, at nearly K3000.00 every two weeks.

PNG Deputy Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader Salaries

The Deputy Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader earn approximately the same base pay. Nearly half (47.53%) of the total pay goes to the 33 government ministers.

At the current salary rate, over K75 million will be paid to these 111 MPs in the next five years.

This information sheds light on the significant earnings of Papua New Guinea MPs and raises the question of whether they truly need another pay increase. 

It's worth considering whether these earnings are justifiable, especially in comparison to other public servants and the overall financial situation of the country.

PNG MPs Salaries increase with allowances and benefits

The information presented here only reflects the base salary of MPs, without accounting for the many allowances and benefits they receive as part of their roles. 

While it's important to consider the work and responsibilities of MPs, it's also important to weigh their earnings against the overall financial situation of the country and the needs of its citizens.

The data presented here clearly show that MPs in Papua New Guinea are some of the highest-paid public servants in the country, with the Prime Minister earning the most. 

Provincial governors, on the other hand, earn the least, which raises questions about the equity of pay distribution among MPs.

SomePNG MPs are significantly more valued than others

Nearly half of the total pay goes to government ministers, which suggests that some MPs are significantly more valued than the rest.

It's worth considering whether this pay distribution is fair and equitable, or whether it reinforces existing power structures and hierarchies within the government.

Final words...

In conclusion, this information provides valuable insight into the earnings of MPs in Papua New Guinea and raises important questions about pay distribution, equity, and the overall financial situation of the country. 

As taxpayers, it's important for citizens to stay informed about how their money is being spent and to hold their elected officials accountable for their decisions.
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CHECK YOUR AIR CONDITIONED FILTERS: A 10-MINUTE JOB YOU'D BE GLAD YOU DID

You live in an air conditioned (AC) house. I guess you have one in every room. You turned it on when you are hot, every time. So, when was the last time you cleaned the filters? If you have not cleaned the filters in the last 6 months, take a look at the BEFORE and AFTER images of this AC filters. Your AC unit has something like this in it. This image still makes me sick when I think of how much dust there was.
Before
After

It is easy to check, remove and clean AC filters. To check, gently pull on the front cover. The cover of Ascon model does not have to be removed completely. Flicking it up like a car’s bonnet usually exposes the filters. Dirty filters can be removed by simply pulling – be careful not to get the dusts everywhere.
A brush can be used to clean dusts off the filters. For best cleaning result, I would recommend brushing off the thick dirt, then pressure wash using a water hose or under water tap. If you want to get all the dust and dirt off efficiently, soak the filters in dishwashing liquid before rinsing.


It won’t take long to check your AC filters. I am sure you’d be glad you did.





Revised Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Failed to Get MPs Support

Press Release 02/06/2016[Source: Legend FM News]


The Registry of Political Parties is gravely concern about the lack of interest by the Government to table the Revised Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC) in Parliament. The Revised OLIPPAC was approved by the National Executive Council (NEC) in March 2014 but still waiting to be tabled in Parliament. The Registry of Political Parties Dr Alphonse Gelu is concerned about the lack of interest and foresight to pass this law.

The Revised OLIPPAC was gazetted and distributed amongst the MPs since 2014 but this had somewhat failed to get any support from any MPs on the floor of Parliament. In 2015, the Registrar developed a survey question on the Revised OLIPPAC which was distributed to 52 MPs to answer and return to the Registry, out of this only 3 MPs responded. However from the questionnaire not all the questions were answered. This lack of interest shown in this survey by the MPs clearly show the lack of interest by our MPs in any issue and laws that are generated to address certain situations in the country.

MPs must know their responsibilities as MPs and Leaders. They do not only represent their electorates in Parliament but are also required to take part in important policy processes such as that initiated by the Registry of Political Parties. As MPs and Leaders they should be smart and knowledgeable about issues facing the country. As Leaders they are obliged to participate in many other activities and as responsible leaders they must accept such invitations and give all they have to such initiatives and not to act as irresponsible individuals.

The Registry has been awaiting any response or indication from the NEC, Acting Clerk of Parliament, Leader of Government Business and the Prime Minister to inform the Registry where the Revised OLIPPAC is now. When can the Registry get any indications from these responsible offices and individuals? It is so disheartening for the Registry to put all its efforts into the Revised OLIPPAC, get it twice to NEC and then to wait this long.

As the Registry has explained many times, the Revised OLIPPAC is very much influenced by two factors, the first is the Supreme Court decision of 2010 that nullified certain provisions of the law to be unconstitutional and secondly, the experiences of the Registry since 2002 in implementing the OLIPPAC. In other words the Revised OLIPPAC is an improvement to the current law by strengthening provisions that were weak and at the same time to patch the law from those provisions that were declared unconstitutional.

The focus of the Revised OLIPPAC is the political party. This is in sharp contrast to the current OLIPPAC who focuses on the behaviour of MPs but was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The activities of the Registry are now based on strengthening political parties in the country.

The Revised OLIPPAC comes with 6 constitutional amendments. These amendments have genuine justifications in improving democracy and the operations of Parliament as well as the political parties. Some critics have suggested that certain amendments are unconstitutional however if they look at the bigger picture and what the Registry wants to achieve then they would come to realise and appreciate what has been suggested to these amendments.

The Registry has started work on strengthening political parties by looking ahead to the 2017 national election. The Registry has identified various activities build around the concept of strengthening political parties. One of these activities which is based around the strengthening of political parties is the theme for 2016 and 2017 which is “Know Your Party” “Vote Your Party”.
The Registry has published posters that have been printed in the daily newspapers in the months of March and April 2016. The Registry would do a follow up of this with posters of parties with their party leaders and four of their main policies for the 2017 national election. A TV advertisement will be launched soon on promoting political parties in the country.

In promoting political parties, the Registry has even suggested to change the voting system and adopt one that would give prominence to parties rather than candidates. The Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission has been progressive enough to have taken this suggestion on and will put it on its agenda after the 2017 national elections.

From these activities the Registry has already started the process of promoting political parties but need the Revised OLIPPAC to be passed in order to give legitimacy to what it has started by promoting political parties.

It is therefore in the interest of everyone including the Registry and the MPs to respond to this urgently as the Registry needed the Revised OLIPPAC to support its activities. The Revised OLIPPAC is for Papua New Guinea and not for only one group or person or party. To suggest otherwise is irresponsible.

The Registrar Dr Gelu therefore call on all the MPs whether in government or the opposition to support this proposed law and have it tabled in Parliament. The Registrar even called upon those sensible and good thinking MPs to raise this matter on the floor of Parliament. At the moment the Registry is kept away from knowing where the Revised OLIPPAC is now and the important questions on when it will be tabled on the floor of Parliament and why it has not been tabled in Parliament.

EDUCATION TUITION FEE FREE (TFF) POLICY - A Joint Statement by the Minister and Acting Secretary

Originally published on Department of Education Facebook page, 22 January 2016.

We are pleased to announce that we now have a single integrated Tuition Fee Free policy that will provide further clarity and direction in the implementation of tuition fee free.

Education is a right for all children, both boys and girls, in Papua New Guinea and we are very thankful that this Government had made one of the boldest decisions ever made by any government when it introduced the Tuition Fee Free (TFF) policy in 2011.

This landmark policy is benefiting all children irrespective of background across our country. We have had challenges in implementing and monitoring this massive agenda as we remit over K2billion to over 10,000 schools each year and aim to ensure accountability.

We would like to commend our officers and stakeholders for their continuous work to ensure that the TFF policy is rolled out and implemented in all schools throughout the country. 

We are now making this policy available to all our schools and institutions and also our stakeholders including the general public so that they understand it and help us to implement it successfully. We believe that this policy will give opportunity to many more children to have complete education from Prep to Grade 12 and thus contributing to the human resources that will develop our great country.

1. POLICY STATEMENT 
The Government of Papua New Guinea will provide tuition fee free funding to schools registered under the National Education System to enable all school aged children to access universal quality education from Preparatory grade to Grade 12, including students in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) and inclusive education.

2. POLICY INTENT 
The TFF Policy means that: 
1. All school aged children will have access to free tuition in elementary, primary and secondary - 13 years of complete education.
2. Students will not be discriminated against on the grounds of economic circumstance – with equal opportunity for all. 
3. All people in PNG will be educated. 
4. Parents, guardians and stakeholders are engaged and take shared responsibility for education in PNG

3. POLICY: INTENDED OUTCOMES 
1. All children and youth have access to elementary, primary and secondary - 13 years of complete education – leading to compulsory education. 
2. All people in PNG will be educated and be able to contribute to the country’s development and future growth. 
3. Equity is enhanced. Education is available to all children in all communities across PNG irrespective of gender, economic or geographic background. 
4. Parents are relieved from the burden of fees. Hence savings are invested to improve the quality of life of Papua New Guineans, towards achieving Vision 2050.

4. SCHOOL FEES & COMPONENTS
4.1. Scope of TFF
1. A grant covering the maximum fee limits set by the National Education Board is paid by the National Government for the learning needs of students attending registered Elementary, Primary, Secondary and Vocational Schools and Inclusive Education Resource Centres and FODE and also approved and registered Permitted schools. All employees of the Department of Education must comply with this policy and the accompanying TFF Implementation Guide.

4.2. TFF Components
TFF has three (3) components. 
I. Cash Administration 40%
II. Infrastructure 30%
III. Teaching and Learning 30%

I. Cash Administration Component (40%) 
Cash grants are paid directly to school accounts registered with the DoE.

II. Infrastructure Component (30%) 
Grant to schools for the provision of infrastructure – both for routine works and new capital works. This component will be held in Trust by District Treasuries and released to schools (with a corresponding District Service Improvement Program component where provided) based on scope of works and quotes.

III. Teaching and Learning Component (30%)
Government will assist in the provision of teaching and learning materials. This includes consumables and capital assets, equipment and curriculum materials. This component will be centrally managed through the regions.

4.3. Project Fees
Additional fees may be imposed by schools for special purposes as approved by the National Education Board and Provincial Education Board. Students will not be denied an education for non-payment of this fee.

Maximum Project Fee limits may change from year to year. Project Fee Limits for 2016 are as follows:
Level - Maximum Fee
Elementary - K50
Primary - K100
High Schools/Vocational K200
Secondary Schools K250

4.4. Church Agency Fees
Additional fees may be imposed by Church Agencies through their schools for special purposes as approved by National Education Board and Provincial Education Board. Students will not be denied to education for non-payment of this fee. Public notices will put out to advice on the fee limits.

5. POLICY DIRECTIONS 
5.1. Responsibilities
1. The TFF policy and funding will remain a national function, whilst implementation, monitoring and reporting will be provincial and district administrative functions. 
2. The National Government will provide 100% of Tuition Fees for school aged students enrolled in schools registered within the National Education System.
3. The National Government will pay a proportionate subsidy of the total Tuition Fees for school aged students enrolled in permitted and approved and registered schools with the Department of Education.
4. Parents, guardians and other stakeholders will have the responsibility to provide additional basic requirements such as, but not limited to, school uniforms, sports equipment, lunch, transportation, toiletries, and additional stationery.

5.2. Right to Education 
No child can be refused enrolment or restricted in her/his place in a school or learning program if unable to contribute project fees, church fees, or any other form of fees including tuition fee free grants.

5.3. Project and Church Agency Fees Rules
Schools may collect project fees within the national fee limits set by the NEB, but must follow the following rules: 
1. Schools may propose projects fees to the PEB for specific school infrastructure projects or a project that will contribute to students’ education. The Parents and Citizens of the school must approve such projects through formal Meetings, recorded in Minutes.
2. The NEB will set annual maximum limits for project fees and church fees, with PEBs authorizing local limits within the nationally established maximums.
3. PEBs will only approve projects fees where they are demonstrated to be educationally sound and viable projects, approved by minuted meetings of Parent & Citizens and School Boards. Such fees must be at or below the national NEB approved limit.
4. PEBs will only approve church agency fees, which are education related and will contribute to the spiritual growth of students. Such fees must be at or below the national NEB approved limit. 
5. No student will denied access to schools or classes for non payment of project or church agency fees.

5.4. Finance 
1. TFF will be paid to qualifying schools on an annual basis, according to the TFF Implementation Guide that will accompany this policy. 
2. TFF grants will be paid into one specific Cheque Account opened with a Commercial bank approved by the School Board and endorsed by the Provincial Education Board. This bank account must never change. This bank account must hold a minimum balance of K100.00 and remain open at all times. Closure of accounts will stop banks from sending funds into school accounts. 
3. TFF funds must be spent according to the Public Finance Management Act and Financial Instructions issued by the Department of Finance and other authorities.
4. District and Provincial Treasurers will sign and approve expenditures of all schools as stipulated in Financial Instructions. Thresholds of expenditure approval limits for each level of school are prescribed in the Implementation Guide and must be complied with by all head teachers of institutions. 
5. TFF funds must be spent according to the approved procedures for planning, expenditure and acquittal attached to this policy. 
6. School management must maintain and submit quarterly transparent financial reports for acquittal and audit purposes.

5.5. Schools Register and Enrolment Data 
1. TFF will be paid to qualifying schools on an annual basis, according to the Implementation Guide. Accurate Real time data is critical. 
2. The Head teacher of each school will be responsible for submitting accurate real time data and required information, twice a year, to be eligible for annual TFF payments as prescribed in the Implementation Guide. 
3. Head teachers will submit enrolment data to the District Education Implementation Committee (DEIC) twice a year. 
(a) Complete a school census form and submit by June 30 each year. 
(b) Complete ONLY part one of the school census form and submit by November 30 of each year. 
4. The District Education Implementation Committee will provide real time verified data to the Department of Education Corporate Data Branch with copies to the Provincial Education Planning Office. 
5. Provincial Education Offices will submit verified data according to procedures as set out in the Implementation Guide. 
6. The data submitted by schools to the DEIC must be signed off and stamped only by the authorised school inspectors. The Inspector or Standard Officer will be accountable for any inaccurate data he or she endorses. 
7. DEIC will complete a new District School Register Form and submit to the Department of Education – Corporate Data Branch twice a year.

5.6. TFF Implementation Guide
The TFF Implementation Guide that accompanies this Policy is equally important and therefore it must be read, implemented and complied with concurrently.

6. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
6.1. The Minister
The Minister for Education is responsible to the government for setting the policy guidelines and ensuring the implementation of the TFF policy by the Department of Education and other education authorities under the Education Act 1983.

6.2. Inter Departmental TFF Steering Committee
Provides oversight and advice to the Minister and Secretary on the TFF policy implementation and monitoring of this policy. This Committee includes Secretaries of the Departments or delegates at the Deputy Secretary level:
i) Secretary of Department of Education; (Chairman)
ii) Secretary or Delegate at Deputy Level - Department of Finance;
iii) Secretary or Delegate at Deputy Level - Department of National Planning;
iv) Secretary or Delegate at Deputy Level - Department of Treasury
v) Secretary or Delegate at Deputy Level - Department of PM; and
vi) Deputy Secretary for Education – Policy & Corporate Services

6.3. The Secretary 
The Secretary for the National Department of Education is responsible for the implementation of the TFF Policy. Monitoring and evaluation of the policy is the responsibility of the Deputy Secretary, Policy and Corporate Services.

6.4. TFF Secretariat 
A TFF Secretariat within the DoE will be created with additional capacity to provide administrative support to the Secretary for Education and will assist the work of the Inter Departmental TFF Steering Committee. Provincial Coordinators will be appointed to assist the Secretariat to implement the policy. The Inter-Departmental TFF Steering Committee will report to the Minister for Education. All other stakeholders’ responsibilities are covered in the TFF Implementation Guide.

6.5. District Education Implementation Committee
The DEIC will be established in each district to approve School Learning Improvement Plans, ensure proper use of TFF funds by each school and will verify school and enrolment data collected through every School Census. The membership will consist of a church representative, CEO of District Development Authority, community representative and the District Education Administrator and District Standard Officer/Inspectors.

7. MONITORING AND REPORTING
The Policy is implemented, monitored and reported on a regular basis. The mandatory reports are as follows; 
Report Recipient/ Report by/Type of Report/Frequency/ Deadlines

- Parliament/ Minister/Parliament Statement/Annual/March 30.
- NEC/Minister/NEC Information paper/Bi Annual /June 31, Dec 31
- Inter – Departmental TFF SC/ Secretary for Education. Administration and Financial Report/ Every Quarter/ March, June, September, December.
- NEB/ Deputy Sec PCS/ Administration and Financial Report Every Quarter March, June, September, December.
- TMT/ TFF Secretariat/Administration and Financial Report/Every two months/ Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec. 
- Heads of Schools School Boards and PEBs/ Administration and Financial Report/ Each term/ March, June, September, December.

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