Page 11 - IB FEB 2019

Political Brief - PNG

Calls to postpone referendum in Bougainville

uNCeRTAINTy over the date of the Bougainville independence
referendum remains.
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is now
claiming that the poll date has not been finalised. Originally the
vote was scheduled for June, but the Bougainville Referendum
Commission, headed by former Irish Prime Minister Bertie
Ahern, has reportedly asked for a postponement until October.
The future of Bougainville’s political governance arrange-
ment will be determined by the referendum where the people
of Bougainville will choose between ‘greater autonomy’ and
‘independence’. under the terms of the Bougainville Peace
Agreement a referendum on the region’s political status must
be held by 15 June 2020.
O’Neill said his government and the Autonomous Bougain-
ville Government (ABG) will next discuss referendum prepara-
tions at a meeting of the Joint Supervisory Body on 1 March.
While the President of the ABG, John Momis has warned
media against speculating about the progress of referendum
preparations, PNG’s National Research Institute (NRI) has
expressed concerns about preparations to date.
“The referendum is an important milestone in the journey
of Papua New Guinea to peace and prosperity. The decade
long conflict in Bougainville cost thousands of lives and had
a negative impact in the development of the nation,” said NRI
Director, Dr Osborne Sanida while launching the Institute’s
Bougainville Referendum Research Project report in February.
“It is in the interest of every citizen of PNG that the Refer-
endum is well prepared and well administered, in a manner
that all parties respect the outcome, and results in continuing
peace for the people of Bougainville and PNG more broadly.”
Among the concerns expressed by the NRI were the absence
of complete electoral rolls on Bougainville, confusion over how Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill
Bougainvilleans living elsewhere will be able to register and
vote, a lack of information regarding the choices on offer, and
delays in releasing funds for the referendum. therefore imperative that we give it the attention and priority
“The referendum is a one-off event, and we all will live with that this very important national event deserves,” Dr Sanida
the effects of the referendum for a long time afterwards. It is said.

Continued controversy on Manus formally closed in October 2017 but hundreds of men remained
AuSTRALIA’S Department of Home Affairs has defended the in PNG. Those still on the island have since been moved to new
awarding of security and other contracts on Manus Island to a accommodation.
Singaporean-registered company, Paladin Holdings. The gov- In response to the controversy over its contract, Paladin has
ernment said it had to act quickly, enforcing a ‘special measure’ stated it has: “a proud history of providing discrete services to
provision, after the Papua New Guinea government pulled out. our clients in culturally sensitive ways since 2007, including in
The matter came to light during an Australian Senate estimates partnership with landowners on Manus Island since 2013. We
hearing, when it was revealed Paladian received contracts worth do not have any bad debts or failed contracts. We do not make
Au$422 million (uS$303m). payments that are not linked to a service. We reject the notion
Australia’s Home Affairs Secretary Michael Pezzullo told the in the media that any contract with a Papua New Guinea (PNG)
hearing that the PNG Government was planning to take over entity is tainted by corruption – we find this notion offensive. We
responsibility for the services in October 2017, but in July that take our responsibility in providing services incredibly seriously
year decided it could not proceed. The hearing was told the Aus- and our number one priority at all times is the safety, security and
tralian Government then awarded the contract under a so-called wellbeing of our staff, the local community and those in our care.”
“special measure” provision because there was not enough time The PNG Government has said amidst the controversy that it
for an open tender. has no say in who is awarded such contracts, or how much they
The Manus Island Regional Process Centre opened in 2001 are paid. Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Manus parliamentar-
as one of Australia’s offshore processing centres, established ian, Job Pomat say they would welcome an inquiry into the
to house asylum seekers. It was formally closed in 2008 after contract tender. Pomat’s family has been linked to Paladin by
falling into disuse, but then reopened in 2012. It was again the Australian media.

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