Papua New Guinea's cabinet is under fire for endorsing a list of projects that have been labelled "unrealistic" and "out of touch". They include developing a space agency, acquiring a luxury island, and trying to crack post-quantum cryptography.
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00:0070 different projects are outlined in a leaked PNG cabinet document that has been seen and
00:08verified by the ABC.
00:10Some of the projects focus on basic needs like improving agriculture, food security
00:15and access to clean water, but others have been labelled as ideas that read like science
00:20fiction.
00:21They include developing a spy agency with help from Israel and acquiring a luxury island
00:27in conjunction with French Congolese rapper Gims.
00:30Also on the list, exploring the development of a world-class Formula One track in PNG
00:35and setting up a space agency to manage its own sovereign satellite system.
00:40Analysts have raised concerns about the projects, pointing out that the PNG government struggles
00:45to provide basic services like health, education, reliable power and security.
00:51The country has also relied repeatedly on Australian government loans worth $3 billion
00:56over the past five years to plug holes in its national budget.
01:00On the streets of Port Moresby, locals say the ideas are out of touch.
01:05I don't think it will improve people's lives.
01:08To make a name for PNG and compare it to other countries, yes, but that is make-believe,
01:11I think.
01:12It must come down to the level of grassroots people when making its plans.
01:20PNG's Prime Minister James Marape has told the ABC many of the projects are driven by
01:25the private sector and will not get direct government funding.