Papua New Guinea’s national cabinet is facing a fierce backlash after resolving to expedite what has been called a “grand shopping list” of projects, including the development of a space agency.
Seventy projects are outlined in a confidential cabinet decision that has been seen and verified by the ABC.
The list includes acquiring a luxury island in partnership with a Congolese rapper, exploring the potential for a world-class Formula 1 track, creating a “Silicon Valley style hub” for entrepreneurs, developing post-quantum cryptography solutions and setting up a spy agency with training from Israel.
PNG ministers resolved to expedite the projects as part of a development agenda linked to the country’s 50th anniversary of independence this year.
However, critics point out that PNG struggles to provide basic health care, education, policing and security for its people, and its national budget has been successively propped up by Australian loans now worth more than $3 billion.