9 Nov 2018

PNG Catholic Bishops concerned over govt's APEC spending

4:40 pm on 9 November 2018

The Papua New Guinea Catholic Bishops conference says it is concerned at the government's huge spending on APEC, given the country's limited resources.

APEC Port Moresby, PNG

Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins

PNG's capital Port Moresby is next weekend hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which will attract representatives from 21 nations.

The Bishops Conference said it seems the APEC summit is designed to impress the rich and powerful.

The bishops said they hope the event will be a success but after it's over they want to see a return to the country's principles and values of equity and participation.

This would entail re-establishing government priorities to the rural poor rather than the urban rich.

The bishops point to the billions being spent on APEC while teachers and health workers go without pay, health centres struggle and allocations for government departments fall short.

They said many people in PNG are suffering and dying due to the government's preoccupation with making APEC a success.

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