Chan's defeat

Julius Chan's defeat after 29 years in parliament may be a greater force for stability in Papua New Guinea than it initially appears. While the next PNG prime minister will not be selected -- under PNG's increasingly unwieldy political system -- for at least two weeks, the flimsy party structure so evident in the country's political maneuverings is likely to remove Sir Julius's Peoples Progress Party as a significant force in the new parliament.

While it would be tempting from the Australian standpoint to ascribe the decision of New Ireland voters to dump Sir Julius as retribution for the disgraceful Sandline mercenaries affair earlier this year, it seems more likely their judgment was based on a more prosaic view that he had failed to deliver an improved national economy and better government services to the electorate while becoming vain and eschewing consultation.

Since the Sandline affair so starkly showed up the inability of PNG's institutions to ensure good governance, the concept has gathered pace that institutional reform is needed perhaps even the establishment of some sort of independent commission against corruption with real teeth.

The issue of good governance is also, increasingly, a factor in Australia's troubled relationship with its former territory. In the recent past, the relationship has, in part, been colored by Sir Julius's strong view that Australia was far too paternalistic for PNG's liking.

While it is not for Australia to lay down the form of government in its former colony, it should be possible -- without attracting criticism of interfering in PNG's internal affairs -- to encourage principles whereby those who hold the reins of power don't abuse their responsibilities. If moral suasion doesn't work, the Australian Government may find itself under pressure domestically to review the rules under which our substantial aid program is committed.

-- The Australian