Elections should be a way of holding political leaders to account for their actions

It is a measure of the dysfunction of Papua New Guinea that elections marred by disenfranchised voters, fraud, criminal MPs and violence could still be reliably labelled as successful by the government and the media. But that is exactly what has happened as Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare's National Alliance party looks likely to lead a coalition for another five-year term. Although some disgruntled candidates have taken to burning building and rape as retribution for their losses, it could have been so much worse. Many were expecting a repeat of the violence-plagued 2002 election. A parliamentary committee suggested that voting be postponed entirely until thousands of illegal firearms in the Highlands provinces were bought under control. Fortunately, the threat of violence did not decide the outcome. Elections should be a way of holding political leaders to account for their actions, but in PNG, they have become a contest for wealth, power and patronage.

More than 3000 candidates stood for 109 seats this year, fully aware that 75 per cent of all incumbents are thrown out after only one term. So the incentive for politicians is to use parliament to accumulate personal wealth as quickly as possible. Free and fair elections are problematic in any country with a poorly educated, illiterate population. Trucks sponsored by political aspirants that roll into villages distributing cash and goods in return for votes are as common in PNG as photos of politicians with babies are in Australia. Who is in government and government policies make little difference to most people's lives. Most villagers vote for one of the local big men in response to the largesse they distribute. Most of the population, about 85 per cent, live subsistence lives in rural villages completely deprived of government services; there is no electricity, running water, sanitation, and only a scanty covering of health clinics and schools. If the new government were serious about its responsibilities, it would act on the huge development task ahead of it. PNG has managed to stabilise its macroeconomic indicators with lower inflation, lower debt and positive if still very low per capita growth rates.

But is this due to good government? No. The Somare government's principal achievement has been the good fortune to be in office during the largest commodities boom in a generation. The key microeconomic constraints to growth have not been challenged at all. In many respects, PNG continues to go backwards. Roads around the country, particular vital rural roads, are crumbling. The long awaited road linking the capital Port Moresby to other population centres is no closer to being started despite bulging government revenues. The streets of any PNG city are still teeming with unemployed youth, contributing to crime levels that are amongst the highest in the world. A survey found that about 70 per cent of unemployed young men are involved in gang activity and 40 per cent of unemployed women are involved in prostitution.

The creation of jobs remains an urgent priority that has received little attention by a government more intent on securing lucrative mining deals that generate resource rents. Mining and resources have certainly contributed to greater investment and healthier government finances. Undoubtedly, some landowners have also benefited, but the mining and forestry sector alone will never provide the many jobs needed to make a dent in the unemployment problem. From a population of six million in PNG, less than 300,000 have formal employment. Most of this is in government. The greatest potential for employment lies in the rural sector.

Despite rich gardens and farming lands, agricultural productivity and production in PNG remains stagnant. With reform to land tenure, access to finance and the construction of roads to link products with markets, agricultural productivity could be massively improved to increase incomes and generate off farm employment. The new government should be working vigorously to remove the microeconomic constraints on agriculture and employment growth in PNG. Responsible macroeconomic management alone cannot generate the growth needed to solve the unemployment problem. Fundamental reforms are needed if the government is serious about matching its pre-election rhetoric with results.

Gaurav Sodhi is a researcher at The Centre for Independent Studies .