How does anything Paul Barker has written qualify as a personal attack? How does a legitimate critique of infrastructure (not) coordinating with national planning constitute a breach of Pauls work visa? THIS IS GETTING OUT OF HAND FOLKS. WE ARE NOT ARGUING ON THE SINGSING GROUND WHERE INTERRUPTIONS MIGHT BE RUDE. THIS IS THE ROLE OF A THINK TANK---TO INFORM AND QUESTION. MPs threaten Brit April 16,2014, 04:31 am By Alexander Rheeney A GOVERNMENT Minister yesterday alleged that Institute of National Affairs director Paul Barker (pictured) violated his visa and working conditions but stopped short of saying he will be deported. Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Mao Zeming became the second Government MP to lash out at the longtime PNG resident over his comments on the Government’s public works program currently being undertaken in the National Capital District. Paul Barker is a foreigner, paid by private sector stakeholders to work in PNG in accordance with the conditions of his employment. As a director of a think-tank, it is part of his job to debate government policies impartially and constructively and provide alternatives, for public good, he said in a statement. But of late, Barker has departed from that role and is getting involved in domestic politics by engaging in direct personality politics with leaders. It must surely violate his visa and work conditions in PNG and there are serious consequences for such behaviour by foreigners. I will refer Barker’s conduct to the appropriate authorities to look into. Port Moresby Governor, Powes Parkop, echoed similar sentiments recently and made reference to Mr Barker’s criticism of the controversial Paga Hill ring road project in the capital, saying his views were anti-Papua New Guinean. But Ron Seddon, the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, in an email to the Post-Courier last night described the criticism and moves to deport Mr Barker as ludicrous, saying the British national was widely respected and his 30-years of experience in PNG made him an authority. Come on Papua New Guinea, we are trying to show the world we are mature and able to welcome and host the world as a wealthy, newly-emerging gas producing nation yet we get this sort of retrograde slippage from some of our leaders . What message does this send? We are firmly on the world stage, we have a growing respect in the region as a dominant Pacific power and such draconian suggestions simply do not fit that image, said the POMCCI president. Despite Mr Seddon’s defence of Mr Barker, the O’Neill Government has showed in recent times that it would not hesitate to use its power to deport foreigners – often without giving them a right to appeal allowed under PNG laws. Cairns-based Australian Mark Davis, the communications director of PNG Sustainable Development Program Limited (PNGSDP), was a victim of the Government’s strong-arm tactics when there was a fallout between his employer and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill over the ownership of the Ok Tedi Mine in the Western Province. He was detained by armed policemen in Port Moresby in November last year after he was accused by the Government of issuing statements not in the interest of PNG and deported. Like me, he’s simply carrying out legitimate duties for his employer. But they’ll get him in the end and if necessary violate his legal rights and violate the law to do so, as they did in my case. I feel very sorry for Paul because he’s had a long-term attachment to PNG, like me, and he has done much good work especially with CIMC, he said from Cairns last night. Mr Barker told this newspaper last night that he agreed with Mr Zeming’s argument for more public infrastructure investment. However, the projects seem to be coming out of the blue and were not incorporated into a national transport plan and based on detailed analysis of public needs and demands.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 23:56:45 +0000
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