This morning in parliament, Defence Minister Dr. Billy Joseph has defended his earlier statements and outlined plans to address ongoing concerns surrounding recruitment into the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).
Responding to a series of follow-up questions from Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita, the Minister stated that the information he previously presented was provided to him by his department and delivered in good faith.
“I don’t think there is a place for me to apologize because the information I shared was factual and given to me by my department,” Dr. Joseph told Parliament.
The Minister acknowledged the concerns raised regarding recruitment processes, particularly allegations that some individuals may have gained entry into the Goldie River Training Depot through improper means. He confirmed that an investigation has been ordered to verify these claims.
“If there are people who have gone through by shortcuts, we will not entertain them. Those individuals will be removed,” he said, adding that the findings of the investigation will be formally presented to Parliament.
Dr. Joseph also highlighted the broader challenge facing the government in rebuilding the PNGDF’s capacity. He revealed that the current force stands at just over 2,900 personnel, significantly below the government’s target of 7,000 active members by 2030.
“This is a huge challenge ahead of me as Minister. We need to recruit over 5,000 more personnel to meet that target,” he stated.
The Minister attributed the current shortfall to years of limited recruitment due to similar administrative and procedural issues. He stressed the importance of constructive dialogue, urging leaders to support solutions rather than focus solely on criticism.
In addressing concerns about fairness and representation, Dr. Joseph announced that the government will review regional and provincial balance within the existing force and future recruitment drives.
“We want to know where our current personnel come from, and if there is any imbalance, we will correct it in the next recruitment,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Minister revealed a new approach to recruitment that will prioritize transparency and merit. Future intakes will require Grade 12 school leavers to apply through standardized forms, with recruitment conducted directly from secondary schools and centres of excellence across the country.
Dr. Joseph concluded by assuring Parliament and the public that a comprehensive statement addressing all questions raised by Governor Paita both from this week and the previous sitting will be delivered once all necessary information has been compiled.