Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has firmly dismissed claims arising from a recent Post-Courier online article suggesting that foreign “ghost” operations are running Papua New Guinea’s public service, describing such narratives as misleading and unnecessary alarmism.
Prime Minister Marape said Papua New Guinea remains a fully sovereign, transparent and democratically governed nation, and that no foreign country runs Waigani. “There is no ghost in Waigani. I want to dispel this myth that Waigani has ghosts or that Australia is running some covert operation in our country,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
He emphasised that intelligence gathering and policy assessments between nations are normal international practices and not evidence of external control. “Every nation has their operations in another country. They are entitled to collect intelligence and study what a country is going through—just like when we operate in Australia for our national interest and policy development,” he said.
The Prime Minister stressed that Papua New Guinea and Australia share a long-standing partnership dating back to Independence in 1975, anchored in mutual benefit, security cooperation, development assistance and economic collaboration. “Australia has been a great part of our partnership since 1975. They have maintained a consistent presence. They have been the biggest giver of aid, grants and bilateral support, including concessional financing for infrastructure and major projects,” Prime Minister Marape said.
He noted that successive Governments of both nations have worked closely across sectors including law enforcement, public service reform, infrastructure financing and economic development.
Prime Minister Marape made it clear that any foreign technical officers serving in Papua New Guinea do so at the explicit request of the PNG Government. “Every Australian who works in our public service here is not here because Canberra insists, but because the Papua New Guinea Government requests their assistance,” he explained.
He cited examples of international experts engaged in key institutions to strengthen governance and independence, including the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and law enforcement agencies.
“We have recruited overseas specialists, including Australians and others, not as spies, but as professionals. We want expertise. We want neutrality. We want people who are not aligned to local interests to help strengthen our institutions,” he said.
The Prime Minister further underscored that PNG operates under an open democratic framework.
“Papua New Guinea is an open, transparent country. Our books are open. Our structure of Government is open. That is the fullest meaning of democracy,” he said.
While acknowledging that matters of national security are appropriately handled within Constitutional boundaries, Prime Minister Marape assured citizens that PNG’s sovereignty is not compromised.
“Waigani is not run by people from outside. We run Waigani. We run our Government Offices and Ministries. Technical experts we engage are employed under our watch,” he affirmed.
Prime Minister Marape also called on media commentators to exercise responsibility in framing public discourse.
“Those who hold the pen have the entitlement to write. But it must be constructed in a manner beneficial to society and public mindset, not to create unnecessary concern,” he urged.
He concluded by reassuring citizens that Papua New Guinea’s partnership with Australia is grounded in mutual respect, shared security interests, and economic cooperation, not subordination.
“If anything happens in Australia, it affects PNG. If anything happens in PNG, it affects Australia. We coexist, we cooperate, and we co-benefit. That is the reality of our relationship,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Prime Minister Marape reaffirmed that under his leadership, Papua New Guinea remains committed to strengthening institutions, protecting sovereignty, and advancing partnerships that serve the national interest.