The Papua New Guinea Treasurer says his 2018 Budget is not a "fake" and includes visions for the people despite challenges posed by the state of the economy.
Charles Abel Photo: UNDP
Charles Abel was reacting to strident criticism of last week's Budget from the opposition.
He said increases in tariffs on many commodities was protect PNG manufacturers.
The Post Courier reported the deputy prime minister had challenged the paper over its negative portrayal of the budget.
He said the paper needed to understand the issues the country was battling, such as its foreign exchange issue.
Mr Abel said the government wanted to encourage import substitution and support local businesses which will provide jobs to Papua New Guineans.
The opposition shadow finance minister Ian Ling-Stuckey was critical of the tariff increases, while former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta said the government was looking for an easy way out of a crisis it has created through waste, mismanagement and corruption.