Patrick Pruaitch was re-installed as Treasurer and Finance Minister during a cabinet reshuffle this week.
He was suspended from the role last year after the corruption watchdog referred him for prosecution over several allegations of misconduct including the misuse of electoral allowances.
The suspension was later overturned but the allegations are still to be heard in court.
Political scientist, Dr Ray Anere from the National Research Institute says Mr Pruaitch's reappointment sends the wrong message.
Presenter: Liam Fox
Speaker:Dr Ray Anere. PNG's National Research Institute
ANERE: I think what we can make out of the appointments is that the National Alliance Party in particular, but also the parties that are currently in coalition, want to strengthen their position strategically in preparation you could say for the 2012 general elections. That is to say that the coalition government and the National Alliance in particular want to place themselves in positions where they can be able to not just have access to resources, but be in a good position to contest well.
FOX: By saying that you mean that somehow by Patrick Pruaitch being in the position of Treasurer and Finance he might have access to more resources potentially to wage an election?
ANERE: Well we've seen in past elections that occupiers of key portfolios such as Treasury and Finance has always been something that's been done by prime ministers and by the government in the hope that the coalition parties, and in particular the major ruling party is better able to have access to key resources that would be strategically important for the purpose of elections.
FOX: And what about Mr Pruaitch's reinstatement? It was my belief that he's still facing charges of official misconduct brought against him by the Ombudsman Commission and then forwarded on to the prosecutors, is that right?
ANERE: That is correct, and I think in the minds of observers and commentators and citizens and people who are just following the politics in the country very closely, that would be a question that would strike their minds immediately that here is a member of parliament who has charges against him, but has been reinstated. At the end of the day I think those who follow the politics of the country closely will know that something of this sort can happen in Papua New Guinea, perhaps it's to be expected. So my reading and understanding of the reshuffle and appointment is that in particular of Mr Pruaitch is that the acting Prime Minister and the government feels that it's important to restrengthen nationally and regionally the position of the National Alliance in the lead-up to next year's general election. Any other issues, be they legal will be taken care of whenever they are ready, and if anybody decides to bring those issues to the notice of the appropriate authorities, meaning the Ombudsman's Commission or the courts, that those issues be addressed whenever they arise.
FOX: And what sort of message do you think the reinstatement of Patrick Pruaitch sends to the wider community in PNG, and is it a good message?
ANERE: It's a message of I suppose you could say of double standards in the sense that politicians and leaders can have things their way and do what they want to suit the interests of those in government, and there's another set of laws for ordinary citizens. I think the other message that's sort of sent out by the cabinet reshuffle and the appointment of this particular individual is that it sends out the message of not complying with principles of good governance, in that when you have a member of parliament who has charges brought against him and that matters are brought to the attention of courts or other due processes of law, principles of good governance would require that this particular individual should not occupy public office and the integrity and their name is cleared.
(SOURCE: RADIO AUSTRALIA PACIFIC BEAT/PACNEWS, http://www.pina.com.fj/)
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