A heated exchange in Papua New Guinea’s Parliament has brought the country’s defence recruitment process under intense scrutiny, with Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita pressing serious allegations against the Defence Ministry and calling for immediate accountability.
Raising a series of follow-up questions today in parliament, Governor Paita challenged the integrity of the recent recruitment exercise conducted by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF), claiming that despite assurances given the previous week, the facts remain the same after his own independent verification.
At the center of Paita’s concerns was the engagement of an external human resources firm to conduct recruitment assessments. Paita questioned who recommended the company to the Defence Council, whether a proper tender process was followed, and what criteria were used in its selection. He further alleged that the firm identified as “Labour Solutions Limited” had been deregistered for non-compliance, raising fears that a non-compliant entity may have been entrusted with a critical national process.
The Morobe Governor also raised alarm over claims of irregularities in candidate selection, including individuals allegedly entering the force using multiple identities. He cited a case involving a university student whose identity documents reportedly did not match the name used during recruitment.
“Is there a separate list outside the official shortlist?” Paita asked. “How did individuals with different identities pass through a supposedly secure recruitment process?”
He went on to question whether the recruitment had been compromised by external influence and demanded to know how many candidates were accepted outside official procedures. Paita also called for the immediate suspension of all questionable recruits, a halt to ongoing training, and a full independent investigation into the process.
Concerns were further amplified by what he described as “huge discrepancies” between shortlisted candidates and those ultimately accepted, including regional imbalances that he warned could undermine national unity. He also raised a politically sensitive issue, whether the newly recruited personnel could be deployed during the next general election, describing the matter as “a serious concern for this House and the people of Papua New Guinea.”
In response, Defence Minister Billy Joseph defended his earlier statements, saying the information he provided to Parliament was given in good faith and based on briefings from his department.
“I don’t think there is a place for me to apologize,” Minister Joseph said. “The information was factual as provided to me at the time.”
However, he acknowledged gaps in the information currently available to him and committed to delivering a comprehensive parliamentary statement addressing all concerns raised.
The Minister confirmed that an investigation into the recruitment process has already been ordered. He assured Parliament that any individuals found to have entered the system through “shortcuts” would be removed.
“We have strict protocols in place to ensure only qualified individuals are recruited into the Goldie River Training Depot,” he said. “If those protocols have been breached, those responsible will be dealt with.”
Joseph also highlighted the broader challenge facing the PNGDF, noting that the force currently stands at just over 2,900 personnel, which is well below the government’s target of 7,000 active members by 2030. He stressed that scaling up recruitment while maintaining integrity remains a major task.
As part of reforms, the Minister announced that future recruitment will be conducted directly through secondary schools, with Grade 12 students forming the primary intake pool. He also pledged to review regional representation within the force to ensure better national balance.
The unfolding controversy has sparked nationwide attention, with growing calls for transparency, accountability, and institutional reform. As investigations proceed, the spotlight remains firmly on the Defence Ministry to restore public confidence in one of the country’s most critical institutions.
We must review the process of recruitment