This seminar introduces a new study on payday lending in PNG, sharing preliminary insights into borrower experiences, household financial wellbeing, and evidence-based policy alternatives.
Payday lending has expanded rapidly in Papua New Guinea (PNG), yet there is limited evidence on how these loans affect borrowers, households and financial wellbeing. This seminar presents a new research project examining the experiences of payday loan users in PNG, including why people borrow, how loans are accessed, the costs and repayment conditions involved, and the consequences for household budgets and wellbeing. The study combines a survey with semi-structured interviews to capture both broad patterns and borrowers’ personal experiences. It also explores perceptions of fairness, transparency and regulation, as well as whether payday lending provides short-term financial relief or contributes to longer-term financial stress and repeated borrowing.
The project aims to generate evidence that can inform public debate and support practical policy options, including stronger consumer protection, improved financial literacy, more transparent lending practices, and affordable alternatives for people facing urgent financial needs. The seminar will present the study design, preliminary insights and next steps.
The monthly ANU-UPNG seminar series is part of the partnership between the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and the UPNG, supported by the PNG-Australia Partnership.
Event Speakers
Nemat Bizhan
Nematullah Bizhan is a Senior Lecturer and the team leader for the ANU/UPNG partnership at the Development Policy Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University. He is also a Senior Research Associate with the Global Economic Governance Program, Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University.
Loretta Dilu
Loretta Dilu is a lecturer in the Strategic Management Division in the School of Business and Public Policy at the University of Papua New Guinea. Loretta was a recipient of the Master of Economics and Public Policy Scholarship through the ANU-UPNG Partnership.
Kenneth Baliwasa
Kenneth Baliwasa is a lecturer in the Strategic Management Division in the School of Business and Public Policy at the University of Papua New Guinea.
Issabelle Vilau
Issabelle Vilau is a Tutor within the Division of Public Policy Management at the University of Papua New Guinea's (UPNG) School of Business and Public Policy. Her research focuses on elections, political systems, and gender, with broader interests in international relations, security studies, and regional youth leadership.