Michael Pais| August 21, 2024| Post Courier

The dilemma remains in the opposing arm of the government to have full access to District Service Improvement Program funds which is one main reason triggering most members of parliament favoring the government's spot. 

Michal Kabuni, a PhD student from the Australia National University (ANU) and a Political Science Lecture in the University of Papua New Guinea stated in his post-event interview during the first day of 2024 PNG Update that members of parliament in the opposite side have confirmed most times that theirs access to District Service Improvement Program funds are sometimes limited. 

"There is clear evidence to prove that members of the parliament from the opposition side are switching from one side of the house to another because they want to have full access to DSIP and PSIP funds," he said. 

It is evident that over the years to members of the opposition have been bursting out with their critical analysis of the state of the economy with limited chance to get their full district and province support funds. 

With the delimma posing a probable situation for a medium-term plan to happen for an electorate which the member representing them may be from the opposition, it portrays unbalance development in the economy. 

A lot of reforms had been discussed to improve development in the country. A reform in the legislation to regulate DSIP and PSIP funds with equal distributions to all the members of the parliament regardless of their side would give enough support for them to roll out development in their electorate. 

on the other hand, members who are in government side with ministerial portfolios have the better chance and advantage to retain their seats in the national election. 

Research by Alyssa Leng, Research office at Development Policy Centre at ANU drew out most of the times in general elections in Papua New Guinea that: 

• Backbenchers and ministers should face the same level of difficulty over time in getting re-elected, apart from the potential advantage of being a minister.  
• Allows for differences between backbenchers and ministers that remain consistent over time. 

What is currently happening is, being a government minister often seen as providing a resource and reputational advantage for parliamentarians running for re-election.