Showing posts with label PNG Government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PNG Government. Show all posts

Papua New Guinea War: The Bougainville Crisis, Referendum and Independence

The Bougainville Crisis, also known as the Bougainville Conflict or Bougainville Rebellion, was a complex and protracted armed conflict that took place on the island of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea (PNG). 

It lasted from 1988 to 1998, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and significant social and economic disruptions. The conflict was characterized by a struggle for autonomy and independence by Bougainvilleans, who sought greater control over their land and resources, particularly the Panguna copper mine, which was a major source of revenue for PNG.


Historical Background

Bougainville, an island province in Papua New Guinea, has a history of cultural distinctiveness from the rest of PNG. Bougainvilleans have their own languages, customs, and traditions that set them apart from the mainland. 

In the 1960s, mining activities, particularly the establishment of the Panguna copper mine by a foreign company, sparked tensions between Bougainvilleans and the PNG government. 

The mine brought environmental degradation, social disruption, and land disputes, leading to grievances among Bougainvilleans.

Papua New Guinea War


The Crisis Unfolds

In 1988, a violent conflict erupted on Bougainville, sparked by a dispute over royalties and the environmental damage caused by the Panguna mine. 

The conflict escalated into a full-scale civil war, with various groups taking up arms against the PNG government forces. 

The Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA), led by Francis Ona, fought for Bougainville's independence, while the PNG government responded with a military blockade, imposing a state of emergency and deploying armed forces to quell the rebellion.


Peace Process and Referendum

After a decade of violence, a peace process was initiated in the late 1990s, leading to the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement in 2001. 

The Agreement provided for a phased autonomy for Bougainville and a commitment to hold a referendum on independence. 

In 2019, the historic Bougainville Referendum was conducted, allowing Bougainvilleans to vote on their political future. 

An overwhelming majority of 98% voted in favour of independence, reflecting the strong desire for self-determination among Bougainvilleans.


Push for Independence

The result of the Bougainville Referendum has reignited the push for independence among Bougainvilleans. 

However, the path to independence is complex and faces challenges, including negotiations with the PNG government on key issues such as the:

  • timing and process of independence,
  • sharing of revenues from natural resources, and
  • establishment of a viable and sustainable government structure in Bougainville.


Conclusion

The Bougainville Crisis has a complex history, rooted in cultural, environmental, and economic grievances. The conflict resulted in significant humanitarian impacts and loss of life. 

The Bougainville Referendum was a significant milestone in the peace process, reflecting the strong desire of Bougainvilleans for independence. 

All in all, many challenges remain on the path to independence, and sustained efforts are needed to ensure a peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable resolution to the Bougainville issue, taking into consideration the aspirations and interests of all stakeholders.

Revised Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Failed to Get MPs Support

Press Release 02/06/2016[Source: Legend FM News]


The Registry of Political Parties is gravely concern about the lack of interest by the Government to table the Revised Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC) in Parliament. The Revised OLIPPAC was approved by the National Executive Council (NEC) in March 2014 but still waiting to be tabled in Parliament. The Registry of Political Parties Dr Alphonse Gelu is concerned about the lack of interest and foresight to pass this law.

The Revised OLIPPAC was gazetted and distributed amongst the MPs since 2014 but this had somewhat failed to get any support from any MPs on the floor of Parliament. In 2015, the Registrar developed a survey question on the Revised OLIPPAC which was distributed to 52 MPs to answer and return to the Registry, out of this only 3 MPs responded. However from the questionnaire not all the questions were answered. This lack of interest shown in this survey by the MPs clearly show the lack of interest by our MPs in any issue and laws that are generated to address certain situations in the country.

MPs must know their responsibilities as MPs and Leaders. They do not only represent their electorates in Parliament but are also required to take part in important policy processes such as that initiated by the Registry of Political Parties. As MPs and Leaders they should be smart and knowledgeable about issues facing the country. As Leaders they are obliged to participate in many other activities and as responsible leaders they must accept such invitations and give all they have to such initiatives and not to act as irresponsible individuals.

The Registry has been awaiting any response or indication from the NEC, Acting Clerk of Parliament, Leader of Government Business and the Prime Minister to inform the Registry where the Revised OLIPPAC is now. When can the Registry get any indications from these responsible offices and individuals? It is so disheartening for the Registry to put all its efforts into the Revised OLIPPAC, get it twice to NEC and then to wait this long.

As the Registry has explained many times, the Revised OLIPPAC is very much influenced by two factors, the first is the Supreme Court decision of 2010 that nullified certain provisions of the law to be unconstitutional and secondly, the experiences of the Registry since 2002 in implementing the OLIPPAC. In other words the Revised OLIPPAC is an improvement to the current law by strengthening provisions that were weak and at the same time to patch the law from those provisions that were declared unconstitutional.

The focus of the Revised OLIPPAC is the political party. This is in sharp contrast to the current OLIPPAC who focuses on the behaviour of MPs but was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The activities of the Registry are now based on strengthening political parties in the country.

The Revised OLIPPAC comes with 6 constitutional amendments. These amendments have genuine justifications in improving democracy and the operations of Parliament as well as the political parties. Some critics have suggested that certain amendments are unconstitutional however if they look at the bigger picture and what the Registry wants to achieve then they would come to realise and appreciate what has been suggested to these amendments.

The Registry has started work on strengthening political parties by looking ahead to the 2017 national election. The Registry has identified various activities build around the concept of strengthening political parties. One of these activities which is based around the strengthening of political parties is the theme for 2016 and 2017 which is “Know Your Party” “Vote Your Party”.
The Registry has published posters that have been printed in the daily newspapers in the months of March and April 2016. The Registry would do a follow up of this with posters of parties with their party leaders and four of their main policies for the 2017 national election. A TV advertisement will be launched soon on promoting political parties in the country.

In promoting political parties, the Registry has even suggested to change the voting system and adopt one that would give prominence to parties rather than candidates. The Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission has been progressive enough to have taken this suggestion on and will put it on its agenda after the 2017 national elections.

From these activities the Registry has already started the process of promoting political parties but need the Revised OLIPPAC to be passed in order to give legitimacy to what it has started by promoting political parties.

It is therefore in the interest of everyone including the Registry and the MPs to respond to this urgently as the Registry needed the Revised OLIPPAC to support its activities. The Revised OLIPPAC is for Papua New Guinea and not for only one group or person or party. To suggest otherwise is irresponsible.

The Registrar Dr Gelu therefore call on all the MPs whether in government or the opposition to support this proposed law and have it tabled in Parliament. The Registrar even called upon those sensible and good thinking MPs to raise this matter on the floor of Parliament. At the moment the Registry is kept away from knowing where the Revised OLIPPAC is now and the important questions on when it will be tabled on the floor of Parliament and why it has not been tabled in Parliament.

2016 Budget Department Allocation | Top 10 Winners and Losers, IPBC Receiving an Increase of 67%

The National Government Departments got an increased budget of K24, 059.1 million in the 2016 National Budget compared to K23, 454.4 million in the 2015 budget - an increase of 3%. 

Some departments received increased budget allocations while others had cuts to their allocations. Office of Culture and Tourism, and National Housing Corporation came out the winners at 96% increase in funding for the year 2016. Whereas, the biggest loser is PNG National Fisheries Authority who received a funding of K20 million in 2015 down to just K1 million in 2016. 

The top 10 winners and losers in 2016 compared to 2015.
Health, Agriculture, Tourism Departments and State Own Enterprises (SOEs/IPBC) have been given prominence.
Of the 10 losers, it is interesting to note that the Electoral Commission received 61% less with the 2017 election just 18 months away.

Table below shows the total allocations for each national government department. [ Source: Post Courier, 06.11.2015 , adapted]


Sector
Appropriations
Appropriations
Difference
(+/-) in %
2015 (in Million K)
2016 (in Milion K)
(-) indicates CUT
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
23,454.40
24,059.10
604.70
3%
Economic sector
497.8
603.4
105.60
18%
Conservation and Environment Protection Authority
34.9
64.8
29.90
46%
Department of Agriculture and Livestock
38.7
43.3
4.60
11%
Department of Lands and Physical Planning
38.9
39.6
0.70
2%
Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management
9.7
11.7
2.00
17%
Department of Petroleum and Energy
21.9
47.5
25.60
54%
Department of Commerce and Industry
69.1
62.4
-6.70
-11%
Office of Tourism Arts and Culture
2.1
51.8
49.70
96%
Konebada Petroleum Park Authority
5.4
6.4
1.00
16%
Office of Climate Change and Development
9.2
15.1
5.90
39%
Investment Promotion Authority
4
3
-1.00
-33%
Small & Medium Enterprises Corporation
3.4
4.6
1.20
26%
Nat Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology
4.1
3.5
-0.60
-17%
Industrial Centres Development Corporation
3.4
2.6
-0.80
-31%
Mineral Resource Authority
54.3
26.4
-27.90
-106%
Kokonas Industry Kopration
1.2
6.5
5.30
82%
National Development Bank
50
61.5
11.50
19%
Office of Coastal Fisheries Development Agency
27.9
25.6
-2.30
-9%
Cocoa Coconut Institute
8.3
6.7
-1.60
-24%
PNG National Fisheries Authority
20
1
-19.00
-1900%
Fresh Produce Development Company
11.7
11.4
-0.30
-3%
PNG Coffee Industry Corporation
3.4
10
6.60
66%
PNG National Forest Authority
31.6
37.6
6.00
16%
Tourism Promotion Authority
11.6
9.8
-1.80
-18%
PNG Oil Palm Industry Corporation
0.00
0%
National Agriculture Research Institute
11.3
13.5
2.20
16%
National Agriculture Quarantine & Inspection Authority
5.1
10.4
5.30
51%
PNG Cocoa Board
4.7
16.8
12.10
72%
Independent Consumer & Competition Commission
11.8
9.8
-2.00
-20%
Infrastructure
1,944.30
1,639.30
-305.00
-19%
Department of Public Enterprises
8.3
7.8
-0.50
-6%
Department of Information and Communication
17.3
16.7
-0.60
-4%
Department of Transport
28.7
46.1
17.40
38%
Department of Works & Implementation
1,443.20
1,064.40
-378.80
-36%
Papua New Guinea Accidents InvestigationCommission
7.4
5.6
-1.80
-32%
Independent Public Business Corporation
58.6
178.7
120.10
67%
National Broadcasting Commission
43.4
25.2
-18.20
-72%
National Maritime Safety Authority
35.1
40.8
5.70
14%
National Airports Corporation
151
70.8
-80.20
-113%
National Housing Corporation
0.3
7.2
6.90
96%
Rural Airstrip Authority
5.9
4.5
-1.40
-31%
PNG Power Limited
115.9
149.5
33.60
22%
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
14.3
12.3
-2.00
-16%
National Road Authority
15
9.5
-5.50
-58%
Social Services
2,983.10
3,034.80
51.70
2%
Office of Censorship
3.7
3.7
0.00
0%
Department of Education
1,087.20
953.4
-133.80
-14%
Department of Higher Education
220
137.2
-82.80
-60%
PNG National Commission for UNESCO
4.4
3.1
-1.30
-42%
Milne  Bay Provincial Health Authority
28.5
29.8
1.30
4%
Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority
33.8
32.7
-1.10
-3%
Department of Health
597.9
620.8
22.90
4%
Hospital Management Services
670.1
715.8
45.70
6%
Department of Community Development
73.7
60
-13.70
-23%
National Volunteer Services
2.8
1.9
-0.90
-47%
Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority
31.6
35
3.40
10%
Office of Urbanization
2
1.8
-0.20
-11%
PNG Science & Technology Secretariat
4.2
4.2
0.00
0%
West New Britain Provincial Health Authority
36.2
36.20
100%
Manus Provincial Health Authority
17.7
17.70
100%
Enga Provincial Health Authority
29.7
29.70
100%
Sandaun Provincial Health Authority
27
27.00
100%
National Research Institute
5.4
7.2
1.80
25%
University of Papua New Guinea
52.9
77.5
24.60
32%
University of Technology
47
65.2
18.20
28%
University of Goroka
21.2
34.4
13.20
38%
University of Environment & Natural Resources
19
28.6
9.70
34%
PNG Sports Foundation
23
54.4
31.80
58%
PNG Maritime College
4.5
4.8
0.30
6%
National AIDS Council Secretariat
8.8
8.9
0.10
1%
Institute of Medical Research
10
12.4
2.30
19%
National Youth Development Authority
5
4.1
-0.90
-22%
National Museum & Art Gallery
22
22.9
1.20
5%
National Cultural Commission
5.1
4.7
-0.40
-9%
Law and Order
1,383.20
1,240.80
-142.40
-11%
Office of the Public Prosecutor
8.6
7.4
-1.20
-16%
Office of the Public Solicitor
14
12.6
-1.60
-13%
Judiciary Services
330
227.3
-102.70
-45%
Magisterial Services
40.3
38.3
-2.00
-5%
Department of Attorney-General
172.5
159.4
-13.10
-8%
Department of Corrective Institutional Services
139.2
139.7
0.50
0%
Department of Police
367.2
361.3
-5.90
-2%
National Intelligence Organisation
5.9
4.7
-1.20
-26%
Department of Defence
261.2
256.5
-4.70
-2%
Ombudsman Commission
22.2
20.4
-1.80
-9%
Legal Training Institute
13.6
4.9
-8.70
-178%
National Narcotics Bureau
4.6
4.4
-0.20
-5%
Constitutional & Law Reform Commission
3.7
4.1
0.40
10%
Administrative
13,022.20
13,878.60
856.40
6%
National Parliament
165.7
147.5
-18.20
-12%
Office of Governor-General
7.2
5.2
-2.00
-38%
Department of Prime Minister & NEC
125.9
165.6
39.70
24%
National Statistical Office
9.5
10.4
0.90
9%
Office of Bougainville Affairs
5
3.4
-1.60
-47%
Department of Finance
84.3
66
-18.30
-28%
Treasury & Finance Miscellaneous
1,196.00
1,051.60
-144.40
-14%
Department of Treasury
208.9
155.7
-53.20
-34%
Office of the Registrar for Political Parties
9.2
7.8
-1.40
-18%
PNG Customs Service
52.2
59.6
7.40
12%
Information Technology Division
20.5
18.3
-2.20
-12%
Fire Services
24.8
29
4.20
14%
PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services
12.9
10
-2.90
-29%
Internal Revenue Commission
76.6
75
-1.60
-2%
Department of Foreign Affairs
75.8
60.8
-15.00
-25%
PNG Institute of Public Administration
8.9
10.2
1.30
13%
Department of Personnel Management
184.5
146.6
-37.90
-26%
Public Service Commission
8.4
6.4
-2.00
-31%
Provincial Treasuries
48.3
45.2
-3.10
-7%
Department of National Planning and Monitoring
440.3
192.8
-247.50
-128%
Electoral Commission
36.2
22.5
-13.70
-61%
Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs
124
81.7
-42.30
-52%
Department of Industrial Relations
33.9
33.4
-0.50
-1%
National Tripartite Consultative Council
1
0.9
-0.10
-11%
Department of Implementation & Rural Development
68
65.6
-2.40
-4%
Central Supply & Tenders Board
2.8
2.7
-0.10
-4%
Treasury and Finance - Public Debt Charges
9,924.60
11,330.00
1,405.40
12%
Office of the Auditor General
29
23.9
-5.10
-21%
National Training Council
16.7
40.1
23.40
58%
National Economic & Fiscal Commission
4.2
3.5
-0.70
-20%
Border Development Authority
16.9
7.1
-9.80
-138%


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