Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) says the Papua New Guinea government must let the public know about what it plans for the gold refinery and mint.

The planning done by the PNG government is to put in place a measure that would set up a refinery and a national gold mint.

Despite it being in the pipeline for many years, the scheme is understood to have set up an advantageous angle for a small Singaporean company with Australia providing many of its senior executives sweeping controls over the gold produced in the country.

Business operators have condemned the move, with the chamber of Resources and Energy saying it would be disastrous for the country. It can even be described as extraordinary, with the PNG Institute of National Affairs calling for the government to step back and focus on its core issues such as health, education, and law and order.

There is a general sense that the government has been less than forthcoming, according to TIPING spokesperson Peter Aitsi, he says that, indicating the plans and the individuals involved.

He also says that if there is public good in the proposed bill, then it should be an open process. And to quote,

“There should be broader consultation with the various stakeholders that will be impacted by such a bill.

“And so, clearly, that type of consultation has been absent, so it draws suspicion in terms of the intentions and actions of the government, particularly those that are driving it – that being the prime minister and the finance minister,”

He also stated that the lack of transparency is unacceptable from the point of view of the community; and that if there is public good, then demonstrate it through an open public process and robust debate.