The National Government has strengthened representation for communities affected by the Papua LNG project, with Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina assuring landowners and local leaders that every impacted district and province will have a voice during the Papua LNG Development Forum.
Speaking at APEC Haus on 8 July, the Minister outlined the government's approach to the development forum, describing it as a key process required under the Oil and Gas Act before discussions on benefit-sharing arrangements can proceed.
The forum, hosted by the Office of the Minister for Petroleum, commenced this week in Port Moresby after plans to launch it in Kerema, Gulf Province, were changed due to infrastructure constraints and other logistical considerations. The decision to relocate the forum received Cabinet endorsement.
Minister Maladina said that while stakeholder consultations had already begun, the forum would be officially launched by Prime Minister James Marape later this month, when the Director's Proposal—a mandatory requirement under the Oil and Gas Act—would be presented to all stakeholders.
Following the presentation, participants will observe a seven-day consultation period before formal negotiations begin.
"We will adjourn and give time to all the stakeholders in this project to consult their advisers, consult their people and then return after seven days," Minister Maladina said. "The facilitators will then begin discussions with the respective interest groups to consider any responses or issues they wish to raise regarding the Director's Proposal."
The Minister said the government had convened a meeting with political leaders from the affected provinces and districts the previous day to address concerns over representation within the forum.
The meeting involved leaders from Gulf and Central provinces, including representatives from Kikori, Kerema, Kairuku and Hiri-Koiari districts, which form part of the Papua LNG project footprint.
Maladina said misinformation suggesting some communities would be excluded from the process needed to be addressed.
"I want to make it very clear that all your voices are represented in the development forum," he said. "I don't want misleading information going out that people do not have a voice in this process."
While noting that legislation limits the number of individuals who can formally participate in the forum, the Minister said recent amendments to the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments had broadened representation by allowing districts to participate directly.
He said the reform recognised that not every affected individual could be invited into the negotiations and instead empowered district leadership to represent wider community interests.
To further strengthen participation, Minister Maladina announced additional representation for districts.
Each affected District Development Authority (DDA) has now been authorised to nominate two additional representatives from within the district, including individuals outside the immediate project footprint, to ensure broader community concerns are heard.
"I have used my powers to increase that representation so people who feel they have been left out now have an opportunity to bring their concerns into the forum," he said.
The Minister also outlined the importance of the development forum in determining how project benefits will be distributed once the State's financial interest in the project is established.
Under existing legislation, 20% of the State's share of project benefits is allocated to impacted landowners, local-level governments, district administrations and provincial governments.
Minister Maladina acknowledged that while legislated benefits must remain within the legal framework, the government remained open to considering additional concerns raised through the consultation process.
"We will consider your proposals and your interests," he said.
"If you believe you have been left out, bring your concerns through the appropriate representatives, whether through your DDA, LLG, provincial government or directly through the forum."
The Minister also highlighted the calibre of the independent facilitation team overseeing the consultation process, stressing that its members had been appointed for their experience rather than as representatives of the government.
The panel is chaired by former Petroleum Minister Arthur Somare, who played a leading role during the PNG LNG development process. Other facilitators include former Chief Secretary and Ambassador Sir Isaac Lupari, alongside experienced legal and public sector representatives.
"They are not from government," Minister Maladina said.
"They have been appointed because of their knowledge and experience. Their role is to listen to stakeholders, provide guidance on legal and policy matters, and bring those issues back to government."
He added that communities in Gulf and Central provinces also benefit from strong political representation at the national level, with ministers and Members of Parliament representing the affected regions participating in government decision-making.
The Papua LNG Development Forum is a critical milestone in progressing one of PNG's largest proposed resource developments, providing the formal platform through which government, landowners and provincial stakeholders negotiate the distribution of project benefits before development advances.
