Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says the 2026 National Budget delivers unprecedented support to all Provinces and continues direct Relief to households through a substantial K1.01 billion Household Assistance Package.

“This Budget ensures that every Province and every family receives support. We are putting more resources into Provincial systems and more savings into family pockets,” the Prime Minister said.

Provincial Support Grows Significantly

Provincial Governments benefit from several major increases:

– Functional Grants rise 44% over two years, from K535m to K770m

– GST & Bookmakers Tax distributions increase from K980m in 2024 to K1.274b in 2026

– Provincial Health Authorities funding increases to K1.476b

– Increased Teacher Salary and GTFS funding also flows directly to Provincial service delivery

PM Marape said:

“We are empowering Provinces with the funding they need to deliver real services. Decentralisation must be backed by strong, reliable financial support—and this Budget delivers exactly that.”

K1.01 Billion Household Assistance to Ease Cost of Living

The Household Support Package includes:

– Zero GST on 13 essential items (rice, flour, tinned fish, chicken, noodles, biscuits, tea, coffee, oil, soap, women’s hygiene items, baby diapers)

– Continued K175m for School Project Fee subsidies

– Tax-free threshold maintained at K20,000 (saving workers up to K63 per fortnight)

– Stamp Duty exemption lifted to K700,000 for first-home buyers

– Freeze on Excise Indexation for beer and most tobacco products

Marape criticised past Governments for ignoring household struggles:

“For too long our families carried the weight of rising costs alone. Our Government is stepping in with real and targeted support.”

K3.3 Billion in Assistance Over Five Years

Over the past five years, the Marape-Rosso Government has provided K3.332 billion in Relief measures—one of the largest household support interventions in PNG’s history.

“Our people deserve dignity and opportunity. We will continue lifting pressure off families while strengthening the systems that support them,” PM Marape said.

Reset@50: A Budget for Every Papua New Guinean

The Prime Minister said the 2026 Budget aligns firmly with the Reset@50 framework by ensuring:

– More resources for Provinces

– Better support for families

– Strengthened national unity

– Shared economic opportunities

“We want a country where every family and every Province progresses together. This Budget ensures no one is left behind as we build the next 50 years of our nation.”