Our closest neighbour on the brink of being a 'failed state' after deeply flawed national elections

Possibly the most effective contribution Australia could offer PNG would be to lend the PNG Government a number of judges capable of hearing the deluge of appeals that is now inevitable.

In recent elections appeals have dragged on for three years or more, a totally unsatisfactory situation.

Dealing with appeals is one problem, but an even more imminent one looms.

The Police Commissioner has threatened to declare as "failures" all electorates in the troubled Enga Province if lawlessness does not stop. There is no chance of lawlessness stopping in the current environment.

If an election in an individual sear is declared a "failure" then a byelection must be held. In addition, the regional seat covering the open electorate will also not be filled and a byelection held! That will leave the office of provincial Governor vacant for months.

But there is an even greater uncertainty caused by "failed" seat results.

The national parliament of PNG is at the very heart of the nation's democracy. It is where prime ministers are elected - and removed.

My sources tell me up to 10 seats might be declared "failures". In that event does the National Parliament proceed with electing the next Prime Minister?

It probably will, but the consequence will be a further erosion of the people's confidence in the democratic process - already at breaking point!

I really fear for the survival of parliamentary democracy in Papua New Guinea.

The level of lawlessness and a lack of respect for the rule of law are far worse than either the local or international media have reported, or probably fully comprehend.

These are dark and troubling times for PNG, coming on top of a pandemic that continues largely unchecked and an economy which has driven down already low and inadequate living standards for all but the privileged few.