Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has announced that the Government is on track to remove Goods and Services Tax (GST) on 13 essential household items, delivering a major cost-of-living relief measure for ordinary Papua New Guineans.
Speaking after attending the weekly Budget Management Committee (BMC) meeting today in Port Moresby, Prime Minister Marape commended the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) for its commitment and efficiency in implementing government policy.
“I commend the IRC,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Last year, we made a budget commitment to remove GST from essential household items by 1 June 2025. Today, I am pleased to confirm that this commitment is on course and we are ready to roll it out.”
He specifically acknowledged IRC Commissioner-General Sam Koim and his team for their proactive role in translating policy into real benefits for the people. “You don’t need the Prime Minister to speak to you 100 times to do the right thing,” Mr Marape stated. “Sam Koim and his team have shown that when a policy becomes law, departments must act.”
Prime Minister Marape emphasised that these tax reforms form part of a broader package of relief measures introduced by his government in recent years to support struggling families.
“These include removing project fees from schools, paying tuition fees for elementary to secondary education, supporting higher education through the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP), and offering scholarships for high-performing students to study overseas. We’ve also provided tax relief by raising the income threshold for non-taxable earnings to K20,000,” he said.
He added that next year, the Government will remove 10% GST from first-time home buyers
— whether purchasing land, a house, or both — building on previous reforms such as the removal of stamp duty for first-home purchases.
“These are not just statistics or numbers. They are about helping real people — especially those in the informal sector, in rural areas, and families earning subsistence or low incomes,” he said. “This is the class of Papua New Guineans I come from, and I will never forget that.”
Prime Minister Marape reiterated his call for citizens to uphold the rule of law and contribute productively to the nation.
“Government will continue to assist, but I ask every Papua New Guinean to respect the laws of our land and to work hard — whether in formal employment or through agriculture on your customary land. Grow coffee, cocoa, copra, vanilla. Build a good home from your earnings. Everyone must play their part,” he said.
He also noted that lawlessness has a significant economic cost. “The incidents of 10 January last year cost the economy nearly K2 billion. Lawlessness affects all of us,” he warned.
“We are doing our part as Government, but it’s a partnership. We need our people to also step up and take responsibility for their lives and their communities.”
The Prime Minister closed by reaffirming the Marape-Rosso Government’s commitment to inclusive development, ensuring that no community or citizen is left behind.