PNG leader backs cabinet minister's criticism of taxpayer-funded overseas trips

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has backed his own minister's criticism of large taxpayer-funded overseas delegations and says calls for greater accountability are "a fair call".

Marape's comments come after Coffee Minister William Bando publicly questioned the growing number of government officials travelling overseas.

Bando particularly highlighted travel to Australia for meetings that he said appeared to coincide with major sporting events.

Many viewed Bando's remarks as an indirect criticism of Marape himself, who attended last week's Australia-Papua New Guinea Annual Leaders' Dialogue in Brisbane before joining Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other Pacific leaders at the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Several PNG ministers, governors, and other parliamentarians also attended the match.

Asked about Bando's comments, Marape told reporters the concerns were justified, especially for those travelling without a clear work purpose.

"It was a fair call," Marape said, particularly for those "not going for work".

Bando described large overseas delegations as "morally and ethically wrong" and called for stronger oversight of how public money is spent.

He urged government departments, statutory authorities, and state agencies to publicly account for all overseas travel funded by taxpayers.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape and his delegation during the Australia-Papua New Guinea Annual Leaders' Dialogue in Brisbane, where regional leaders also attended the State of Origin decider. Photo/Australian govt

He said public funds should be directed towards delivering services and not privileges.

"Immigration officials should track down this leisuring immigrants at exit port at taxpayers' peril and demand accountability provided their travel costs are paid by taxpayers."

The minister said he was concerned about what he described as a growing pattern of officials scheduling meetings and workshops in Brisbane to coincide with major National Rugby League events.

Bando argued the spending was difficult to justify while Papua New Guinea continues to deal with the effects of El Niño, pressure on food security, water supplies, and essential services.

Bando has called on every government department, statutory authority and state agency that has funded overseas travel to release details of those trips.

He wants agencies to publish the names of officials who travelled, the purpose of each trip, where and when it took place, the total costs, allowances paid and what outcomes were achieved for Papua New Guinea.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape, second from right, at the State of Origin decider in Brisbane with other leaders from left: Tonga's Lord Fakafanua, Australia's Anthony Albanese and Sāmoa's Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt. Photo/Australian govt

Bando said every kina spent by the government belongs to the people and should be managed responsibly.

He warned that if officials were using overseas travel as an opportunity for personal enjoyment or to attend sporting events under the guise of official business, it would represent a serious breach of public trust.

The debate over accountability comes as Marape carried out a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, removing Commerce and Industry Minister Win Daki over the fallout from a K200 million (NZ$78.24 million) small and medium enterprise (SME) funding scandal.

The reshuffle also saw Bando promoted from Coffee Minister to Immigration Minister, placing him in charge of the agency he recently urged to hold publicly funded overseas travellers accountable.

Experts say Marape's decision to publicly support the criticism is likely to add pressure on government agencies to demonstrate greater transparency over overseas travel and the use of public funds.