Page 11 - IB JAN 2019

Political Brief - PNG

We’re referendum-ready

BOUGAINVILLEANS are to vote in June this year to decide
whether to remain part of Papua New Guinea or to be inde-
pendent.
The national government has tasked the Bougainville
Referendum Commission (BRC) to formulate and finalise the
questions that will be on the ballot paper and the tentative
dates for the referendum.
On the ground in Bougainville, there has been a lot of pre-
paratory work including public awareness programmes and
activities to help people understand the process.
Elected leaders in PNG’s three-tier government system on
Bougainville have helped in awareness works in the three
electorates of North, Central and South Bougainville.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has warned Bougainville to
be wary of possible outside interference in the lead up to the
referendum. He said such interferences could come in the form
of misinformation. PM Peter O’Neill (right).
The former prime minister of Ireland, Bertie Ahern has been
appointed by the Joint Supervisory Body as chair of the BRC. and Tok Pisin in brackets for voters to mark with an X:
During his term as prime minister, Ahern was involved in Greater Autonomy (Bikpela pawa long Autonomi); and
negotiations between parties to bring about peace in Northern Independence (Indipendens)
Ireland. The Ahern-led Commission has set tentative dates for the
He has since been involved in facilitating peace in other hot 2019 Bougainville Referendum:
spots around the world including Ukraine, Nigeria, Iran, Turkey
and the Basque Country. • Issue of writs: 4pm Monday April 15, 2019;
The preamble of the 2019 Bougainville referendum ballot • Start campaign: Tuesday April 16, 2019;
paper states that: “The outcome of the referendum on the fu- • End campaign: Midnight Friday June 14, 2019;
ture political status of Bougainville, will be discussed by both • First day of polling: Saturday June 15, 2019;
governments, and will be presented to the National Parliament
for final decision making in accordance with the Bougainville • Last day of polling: Friday June 28, 2019;
Peace Agreement and the National Constitution.” • Start count of vote: 6pm Friday June 28, 2019; and
On the ballot paper, there are only two questions in English • Return of writs: On or before Friday July 19, 2019.

Row over SG sacking refugee processing arrangements. “Up until now I haven’t had
Papua New Guinea Attorney General and Justice Minister Davis any discussion with Australia or the United States. And even the
Steven is disappointed with Chief secretary Isaac Lupari for Government of Papua New Guinea has not said much, except to
blocking the gazettal of an acting appointment he recently made say ‘We will be talking with you later on.’ We want to know what
regarding the position of solicitor-general. Steven said Lupari is happening. How soon will they come to us? How big will it
and other public servants should refrain from interfering with be? Will they use the airport? Will there be nuclear (weapons)
the government’s appointment process. Steven had sacked acting here? We just do not have any idea.” He said the lessons from
Solicitor-General Faith Barton last month, and appointed Tanovasi US bases in Okinawa (Japan) and Subic Bay (The Philippines)
Tauvasa to the position. But Lupari instructed the Government suggested Manus should “steer clear of being used as a base for
Printer in a letter not to facilitate the gazettal of the acting ap- the USA military.” But PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s office
pointment. Steven said only Prime Minister Peter O’Neill had the told The Australian newspaper that “the benefits for the people
powers to block such appointments. In response, Lupari told The of Manus are very clear,” and the national government was in
National newspaper that the matter was going to be addressed ongoing discussions with the provincial administration.
by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
Manus governor objects to US base Smoking ban will be enforced
Manus Governor Charlie Benjamin says he fears nuclear weapons Smoking in public places in Papua New Guinea is illegal and of-
could be brought to his province under Papua New Guinea’s deal fenders can be fined up to K500 (USD153), according to Minister
for a joint naval base on the island with the United States and for Health and HIV/AIDS Sir Puka Temu. He said the Tobacco
Australia, with “unimaginable consequences” for his people. Control Act 2016 outlawed smoking in public places, with of-
Benjamin said neither Australia nor the United States had ap- fenders facing fines not exceeding K500. Sir Puka said passive
proached him to discuss the Lombrum base redevelopment fol- or second-hand smoking could cause lung cancer. “All public
lowing a trilateral deal sealed late last year, leaving the Manus places are smoke-free by law including Parliament,” he said. “The
community in the dark over the plan. He said his constituents law is enforceable by police and agencies such as the Transport
were worried about what the base would mean for the island, Department and the National Capital District Commission. The
after the “negative effects” arising from Australia’s regional management of public places must cooperate with police.”

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