THE LIFE of THE BUSH PEOPLE

The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea, now 47 years old. But year after year, the elected representatives continue to forget the majority of rural people.

STILL STRUGGLING AFTER 47 YEARS

Life for ordinary people who live in the rural outback of Papua New Guinea is at a marginal slow pace.

A struggle in the sense that since 1975, nothing has changed in a momentous way for them. Life has been constant for them.

Walking long distances to access the most basic of services. 

Peaking high mountains, raging rivers to cross and the traversing valleys, rocky paths in the permeating humidity of PNGs pristine tropical rainforest.

Delta people of the Gulf Province get around on canoes.

Government services in rural PNG, despite the boastful rhetoric of government after government since Independence in 1975, are non existent.

No roads, except the perennial bush track since time immemorial, no schools, no aid posts, no airstrips, nothing, just nothing out here in the bushes of Papua New Guinea. 

The only life out here under the vast jungle canopy are the local people and the wild beasts, living in harmony with nature, as their forefathers have done for centuries.

This is why village people, especially those who are largely forgotten in the most remote areas of PNG, exercise a certain intolerance for national general elections.

A loyal and committed bush teacher tackling the bush track to his outback school in East Kambia, Jiwaka Province.

They've heard it before, they've seen it many times, helicopters, foot patrols, police, army, government kiaps, and the most sweet talking political wannabes, and their gimmicks - the poor bush kanakas, they remember all the promises.

The empty painful promises from election 2017 posters, that peek out from beyond the the thatch walls, are still unfulfilled.

Round 11. The nation is gearing up for another ferocious onslaught of verbal diarrhea from wannabe politicians as the issue of writs for NGE 2022 nears.

Round 11 is for the 11th life of the National Parliament. It will be from July 2022 to the next elections in June 2027.

Will this election change the lot for the long suffering people of the bush? Or will they be left as they have lived for the past 47 years and counting.

For now, the action is heating up. 

Huon Gulf MP Ross Seymour is one of the few MP's who walks bush track to visit his people. He is pictured at Yamap Primary School in Hote, Salamaua LLG.