Allan Bird Photo: Facobook / Allan Bird
Papua New Guinea's 2026 National Budget has drawn immediate criticism from East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, who says the government continues to overspend, overestimate revenue, and deliver few tangible results for ordinary citizens.
The K$30.9 billion spending plan, unveiled earlier this week, has been characterised by analysts as highly political and aligned with next year's election cycle.
Critics argue the Marape government has again prioritised high-visibility projects over long-term structural programs that would strengthen essential services.
Bird said this year's budget follows a familiar pattern: record allocations on paper, but limited real-world improvements.
He points to ongoing shortages in medicines, persistent law and order challenges, and what he views as a widening gap between spending announcements and service delivery outcomes.
He has also raised concerns about revenue assumptions, noting that last year's budget was short by K$2.5b and required significant mid-year corrections.
Bird believes similar risks exist in the 2026 plan, warning that overly optimistic revenue forecasts could again lead to financial strain.
Another key criticism centres on fiscal discipline. According to Bird, spending outside the formal budget framework remains common, with additional expenditures later reconciled in the Final Budget Outcome.
He said this practice undermines transparency and highlights deeper issues in the government's financial management.
While the government insists the budget focuses on infrastructure, job creation, and community development, public reaction online has been overwhelmingly sceptical.
Many Papua New Guineans are questioning why record-high spending has not translated into better healthcare, education, or security.
For Bird and many critics, the central measure of any budget is whether it improves the everyday lives of citizens. Based on recent years, they believe the benefits have been limited - and they see little in the 2026 budget to suggest that trend will change.
