Stephen Pokawin discusses the National Alliance Party and political groupings in independent PNG. He discusses his election in 1997, and the move before the 2002 elections to form the National Alliance and to establish it in government after the election. He relates his involvement in the growth of the party for it to win the 2007 elections.
Charles Lepani discusses the role of Ross Garnaut in developing the budget suppport grant. He describes how Lepani, Tony Siaguru and others accompanied minister Sir Albert Maori Kiki to Sweden to meet Prime Minister Olof Palme. He discusses the process where Garnaut developed the policy and Mekere Moratau took it to Julius Chan who then asked Garnaut for his opinion before taking it to Cabinet.
Charles Lepani discusses the formation and naming of the so-called Gang of Four (Charles Lepani, Rabbie Namaliu, Tony Siaguru, and Mekere Morauta) and the level of control they wielded in finance and spending. He outlines the criteria for priority setting and the individuals involved in determining budget priorities. He discusses the beginnings of the Rural Development Fund.
Charles Lepani discusses mining issues in relation to Ok Tedi and Bougainville and his travel to Germany to look at investment. He discusses the formation of the National Investment and Development Authority in 1976-77 and the role of Treasury in investment, finance and borrowing issues prior to independence.
Charles Lepani discusses his high school education at Charters Towers, Queensland, which he completed in 1966, and becoming part of the second intake in 1967 into the University of Papua New Guinea where he met good friends Rabbie Namaliu, Tony Siaguru, and Mekere Morauta. He discusses the group's growing awareness regarding Independence and well as the sense of political awareness in the first generation of political leaders including Michael Somare, John Guise and his father Lepani Watson.
