Polye presents alternative government policy

Caption:   (L) Lagaip-Pogera Mp Nixon Mangape, Don Polye, and Sam Basil pose with the opposition policies in hand.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 15, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE Opposition presented a comprehensive alternative government policy for public interest on Wednesday’s sitting of parliament.

Claimed as being the first of its kind in PNG politics, to statement of the policies was presented by the Leader of the Opposition Don Polye.

In a conference held on Friday Mr Polye elaborated on the aims of the alternative government’s leadership and the style approach to be taken if elevated to the Prime Ministerial position.

He added that the input of coalition partners of the opposition in Pangu Pati, Melanesian Liberal Party, and the PNG Party were vital and included in the final document.

“They have been consulted with the leaders of the parties as well as the networks, and the policies we have put in place are policies that incorporate the view of the coalition- it is a policy that is a living document that will be reviewed for changes as time goes,” Mr Polye said.

“The policy has been formulated in light of the current policies and decisions of government and we have taken into consideration the global economic situation and the factors that are in play at present.”

“Other consideration of the rural population in rural Papua New Guinea who are the majority, there is no per capita income, only 20 percent of people in the country take part in the formal economy, and not many Papua New Guineans are engaged in business opportunities.”

He placed emphasis of youth empowerment and skills development for the rapidly growing group in the population.

The opposition leader listed a mega policy along with seven other major policies laid out in such a way that he said the implementation of each one would automatically implement the others.

“The first is to do with a Skills Industry Growth Strategy, which is followed by the Modernization of the Public Service,” Polye said.

“It talks about modernizing and skills development and training, human resource management and development.”

“The third policy refers to Creating industry and Technology and the Development of Debt Market and Money Culture.”

He elaborated that citizen should understand the monetary system, how the banks work, and conditions of loans, also including the roles of private financial institutions and their roles in development.

“Creating a Sustainable Economy is the fifth major policy where we creating skills and developing industry- you develop a skill to be employed in an industry or vice versa to propel them forward to develop an industry.”

“Six is Personal Viability, Self-Management and Bodily Care, which you have never heard of a policy like this, everybody talks about infrastructure, but for who and what kind of a person are you building it for?”

The final two being Everyday Livelihood of the People, which he said refers to extra ordinary matters that matter to everyday citizens- and the final policy on Foreign Relations.

“Our foreign relations theme is to ‘Enhance mutual friendship with all’, and new trade policy of Facilitating fair trade and commerce, peace, and prosperity through strategic partnership.”

He concluded that the policy of the opposition was inspired by scriptures; something he said was the key in bringing renewed prosperity to the nation and its people.