16/02/2026
🇵🇬 Chronological Summary of PNG Government Decisions, Laws & Actions (2025–Early 2026)
Based on reports from The National, Post Courier, and NBC PNG, here is a comprehensive timeline of key government decisions, laws, and actions during this period. Dates refer to the event or effective date where available; publication dates are used only if no specific event date was provided.
📌 March 2025
•Mar 9 – Morobe Provincial Government clarifies employment practices that must comply with existing laws and agreements, protecting customary landowners’ rights.
•Mar 13 – Parliament amends the Constitution, extending the grace period preventing a Vote of No Confidence (VoNC) to 18 months after the incumbent survives one.
•Mar 20 – Parliament passes the Income Tax Act 2025, replacing the 1959 legislation with simplified rules on employment income, business income, capital gains tax, and non-resident taxation.
•Mar 25 – Government implements a one-day nationwide shutdown of Facebook access, affecting 1.4–1.6 million users.
📌 April 2025
•Apr 5 – PM Marape responds to the US decision to impose a 10% tariff on all PNG exports, acknowledging economic impacts.
📌 May 2025
• May 20 – Launch of the Civil and Identity Registration Act 2024, ensuring universal citizen registration under the PNG Civil and Identity Registry.
📌 June 2025
•Jun 26 – PNG signs the Melanesian Agreement, with implementation through Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) resolutions.
•Jun 26 – National and regional consultations begin to develop the Third Open Government Partnership (OGP) National Action Plan (2025–2029) and a new National Social Accountability Framework.
📌 July 2025
• Jul 20 – Lihir landowners support the proposed Mining Bill 2025, which increases royalty rates up to 10% and introduces resettlement provisions (bill pending).
•Jul 22 – Finance ministerial directive issued regarding outstanding payments to Koiari landowners amid threats to shut down water and power supplies.
•Jul 26 – Government hails the ICJ ruling on binding state obligations for climate protection as a legal victory for PNG and Pacific nations.
📌 August 2025
•Aug 1 – Minister for Youth, Religion & Community Development tables the Disability Services Bill 2025.
•Aug 5 – Parliament passes the Disability Services Bill 2025, empowering approx. 1.5M persons with disabilities.
•Aug 7 – Justice Minister tables amendments to the Organic Law on Certain Constitutional Office Holders, raising retirement age to 72 (compulsory at 75).
•Aug 14 – PM welcomes court ruling upholding leadership of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited.
📌 September 2025
•Sep – Minimum Wages Board approves staggered minimum wage increase from K3.50 to K5/hr effective Jan 1, 2026, with further rises in 2027 & 2028.
•Sep 22 – Lands Minister exercises compulsory acquisition powers for land at Nadzab.
📌 October 2025
•Oct 8 – PNG signs the Pukpuk Treaty with Australia, a major security and bilateral agreement.
•Oct 26 – Acting ICT Minister signs the UN Cybercrime Convention; Cabinet approves ratification and plans updates to national laws including the Cybercrime Code Act, plus new laws on digital ID and data protection.
•Oct 30 – Police enforce the new Terrorism Act 2025, warning against roadblocks during local-level government polling.
📌 November 2025
•Nov 1 – Madang MP proposes amendments to prevent unauthorized garnishee payments without notice or representation.
•Nov 7 – Parliament passes the Coffee Industry Bill 2025, repealing the 1991 Act and aligning with the National Coffee Policy 2024.
•Nov 27 – Presentation of the 2025 Budget, including:
•One-year freeze on excise indexation for alcohol & to***co
•Reduced superannuation tax rates
•Removal of a non-resident tax bracket
•Enhancements to the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme
📌 December 2025
•Dec 3 – Parliamentary Committee recommends amendments to the Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited Act, ensuring 80% dividend remittance to the state.
•Dec 4 – JSB meeting advances implementation of the June 2025 Melanesian Agreement.
•Dec 10 – NEC approves the 2024–2026 PNG Power Corporate Plan and directs tenders for partial privatization of PNG Power.
•Dec 16 – Government observes International Anti-Corruption Day, emphasizing youth education and collective action.
• Dec 22 – NICTA declares Starlink satellite services unlawful under current ICT laws.
•Dec 24 – PM directs all ministers & department heads to submit 2025 achievement reports and medical certificates by Jan 7, 2026, for merit-based cabinet review and potential reshuffle.
📌 January 2026
•Jan 1 – New minimum wage (K5/hr) takes effect; excise duty on diesel rises to K0.29/litre.
•Jan 12 – Police conduct arrests in Eastern Highlands related to 2025 University of Goroka violence investigations.
•Jan 14 – PM swears in three new ministers, signaling cabinet reshuffle.
•Jan 20 – John Pundari appointed Police Minister; PM directs removal of politics from policing and allocates K50M in the 2026 Budget for 2027 election preparations.
• Jan 30 – Police confirm ex*****on of eviction orders for multiple Port Moresby settlements, backed by the government.
📌 February 2026
•Feb 5 – Government outlines 2026 action items under MTDP Four and Connect PNG, focusing on public-private dialogues for investments in Kumul, agriculture, and connectivity (estimated K10B investment).
End.//
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