Papua New Guinea at 40: Signs of a New Political Culture?

Abstract

In April, Papua New Guinea's (PNG's) Registrar of Political Parties, Dr Alphonse Gelu, suggested that current political stability points to ' the emergence of a new political culture ' changing the face of politics for the better (Kenneth 17/4/15, 2).

It's tempting to dismiss that comment as political puff; Gelu wasn't speaking as a scholar but as an official supporting a Bill to reinvigorate the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIP PAC). Many familiar features of PNG politics clearly remain. But, given Gelu's expertise, and the strange mix of sure-footed and wobbly moves by Prime Minis ter Peter O'Neill's government since the 2012 election, it's worth giving the proposition serious consideration.