Electoral Reform in Papua New Guinea

CDI hosted forums on electoral reform in Papua New Guinea in April as part of the ANU's annual PNG Updates.

The Forum was chaired by CDI Director Ben Reilly and featured a presentation by PNG political scientist Dr Joe Ketan on "The Use and Abuse of Electoral Development ("Slush") Funds in Papua New Guinea". Dr Ketan's presentation looked at the history of slush funds, the evolving political culture of PNG and the way that slush funds had assumed increased importance in elections over the years, but how they had also become a source of controversy and abuse. He suggested several possible reforms to the funding mechanism that had come out of his preliminary research on the subject.

Other speakers covering the forthcoming 2007 PNG elections included Peter Aitsi from the Media Council of Papua New Guinea; Paul Barker from the Institute for National Affairs; Lawrence Kalinoe from the Law Reform Commission and Enaha Kwa from the University of Papua New Guinea.

The Updates were held in front of large audiences at the University of PNG and in East New Britain province:

	Program: Crawford School PNG Country Update 2007
	CDI Policy Paper Series