CLRC Submits Report to Government on the Review of the From and System of Government: Election of the Prime Minister by The People.

The Constitutional and Law Reform (CLRC) achieved a major milestone this year when it successfully completed and submitted the report on the Review of the Form and System of Government: the Election of the Prime Minister, to the Prime Minister James Marape, on May 14, 2024.

CLRC Deputy Chairperson of CLRC Ms. Martha Kokiva submitted the report on behalf of CRLC Chairman Hon. Saki Soloma in the presence of CLRC Secretary Dr. Mange Matui and the CLRC management.

“The report provides important solutions and alternatives backed by very comprehensive research and sets a clear direction for the government and the Nation in terms of addressing concerns affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of our current system of government,” the Prime Minister said in receiving the report.

Prime Minister Marape thanked the CLRC lead by Chairman Hon. Saki Soloma and his Commissioners and Secretary Dr. Mange Matui for their outstanding efforts in successfully carrying out the Review and producing the final report for the country.

The report, in two volumes, provides a total of 7 key recommendations with their sub recommendations on fundamental areas of the system of government covering the Election of the Prime Minister, the three-tier system of government, the parliamentary system, Head of State, the women representation in Parliament, electoral system, and the political party system.

Prime Minister Marape said as the country is nearing its 50th Independence Anniversary, the Review was critical to evaluate the current from and system of government in PNG and identify the challenges and issues confronted in the development and growth of the country so that the government can introduce necessary reforms to fix the system to meet the expectations of the people.

“The Constitutional Planning Committee made its recommendations on the system of government at Independence that were fitting for a new country then, and has brought the country thus far but after nearly 50 years; it is time for a review to reflect current circumstances of PNG and its prospects for the next 50 years from 2025,” Prime Minister Marape said.

He said the circumstance of the country has changed rapidly over the years since Independence, adding this necessitated the need to evaluate the existing form and system of government to identify whether the changes are necessary.

He said the Government through NEC Decision No. 34 of 2021 issued a Constitutional Directive to CLRC on 16 December 2021, through the Head of State, to undertake the Review with the focus on seven terms of reference, which include:

  • Is the form and System of Government suitable for a modern Papua New Guinea, as it moves into its 50th Anniversary? If not, what are the alternatives?

  • Should the Prime Minister be elected by the people? Who should be elected to the lower and upper house?

  • Should we have a bi-cameral Parliament?

  • Should we keep the three-tier system of Government? If not, what are the alternatives?

  • How best should women be represented in Parliament;

  • What areas of the electoral system (i.e.; qualifications for election; criteria for nomination; election period; election disputes) should be improved for a modern Papua New Guinea? and

  • How best can we improve the political party system?

Commissioner Kokiva said the report is the best the CLRC could produce and recommendation.

“But I want to assure you that again that these recommendations are made with careful consideration to important factors such as the need for effective service delivery, stability of government, decentralisation, good governance and strong public institutions and systems that is relevant to the current circumstance of the country.

She also thanked the Prime Minister, giving us this directive and supporting us with the necessary funding that ensured the Review come to a successful completion leading to presentation of the report.

She also thanked other relevant government stakeholder agencies who were involved in the Review with CLRC. Those agencies, they are:

  1. Department for Justice and Attorney General;

  2. Department for Prime Minister and NEC;

  3. Department for Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs;

  4. The Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission;

  5. Department for National Planning and Monitoring;

  6. Department for Treasury;

  7. Department for Finance; and

  8. National Economic and Fiscal Commission.

Commissioner further thanked everyone around the who participated in the review and provided views that ultimately formed the recommendations in the report.

The review was launched by Prime Minister James Marape on 15 February 2023. Apart for from the nationwide consultation, the Review involved comprehensive data collection methods such as  Focus group discussions  with representatives from women, youth, Church and civil society organizations; written submission from stakeholder organizations and individuals; Technical  papers from experts; Seminar and panel discussions at higher learning institutions; Feedback from radio talkback shows; Feedback from social media (Facebook);Research papers; and International Study tour to several countries for comparison purposes.