Greater decentralisation to empower our people

Media Statement

Date: 14th November 2025 Release: For immediate release

Greater decentralisation to empower our people

On Friday 14th November 2025, PNG Christian Professionals Network (CPN) hosted a major policy forum in Kokopo to discuss how decentralisation could make government more accountable and drive economic growth. Political leaders, public servants, civil society representatives, policy experts and church leaders discussed potential models for decentralised government to make public spending more equitable and effective, delivering on the needs of local people.

The event was opened by The Hon Michael Marum, Governor of East New Britain Province. The audience, drawn from communities across the Islands region and from national government, then heard from experts, including Dr. Thomas Webster, a governance specialist, and Dr. Livingstone Tavul, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Natural Resources and Environment.

Dr Webster presented a strong case for increased decentralisation, devolving more political power to the provincial level leading to improving service delivery.

Dr Webster said, “The current system of government in PNG concentrates power centrally and not enough power and resources are allocated to the provincial governments. Hence, ordinary people grow frustrated because of inadequate representation that they cannot influence the political decisions that directly affect their futures. Devolution of more power to the provincial level will give people a greater say in politics and help ensure that policies and services deliver on local needs.”

Dr Tavul discussed the risks of continuing with a centralised model of government, explaining that growing frustration in the provinces could lead to calls for secession.

Dr Tavul said, “If the government ignores calls for decentralisation and hoards power in Waigani, it will strengthen the case for provincial independence, as we’ve already seen in Bougainville. Handing more power to the provinces will make government fairer and accountable, ultimately strengthening national unity.”

CEO of CPN, Mr Samuel Ray, explained that it was important for the provinces to work with central government to develop a system of governance that works at national, provincial, district and local levels.

Mr Ray said: “Historically, political decentralisation has been challenged by the dominance of national MPs in subnational decision-making and it’s time to give more of a say to provincial governors who are better placed to represent the needs of local people and make sure money is spent in the right areas. At the same time, we must ensure that the Prime Minister and his government retain the power to develop national solutions to national challenges and maintain the integrity of PNG as one country.”

This event is the seventh session of CPN’s Minds Meet series. Minds Meet is a quarterly program of events hosted by CPN with support from the Australian Government through the PNGAus Partnership’s Building Community Engagement in Papua New Guinea (BCEP) program. Previous Minds Meet events have focused on high-profile issue areas, such as governance, economic growth, education and youth empowerment. At the sixth Minds Meet forum at Mt Hagen in August, plans were developed for a new agricultural credit scheme which will help farmers access finance to cultivate new land and create jobs. CPN is now working with the Office of the Prime Minister to develop this scheme ready for launch in 2026.

PNG Christian Professionals Network, formerly known as TSCF Graduate Network aims to mobilize all TSCF Graduates, as well as other Christian professionals, to positively influence present and future generations to be an active partner in nation building for a better PNG and the world.

The views expressed at Minds Meet are those of the participants and do not reflect those of either PNG Christian Professionals Network or the Australian government.

For more information on CPN and how to join as a member, please visit: https://pngcpn.net/, email ceo@pngcpn.net or admin@pngcpn.net, or phone +675 7573 2895.

Approved for release by: Mr Samuel Ray, CEO, PNG Christian Professionals Network Inc.

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