A 6-point plan for better government in PNG
10 May 2010
IT’S UNFORTUNATE
that, since independence, PNG has lacked a progressive and transformational
government.
We desperately need to restore parliament to its rightful place as the people's house.
Papua New Guineans have unfortunately lost respect for a parliament that is supposed to make good laws for people and country.
This is because parliament and government have compromised PNG's national interest.
PNG needs a fresh new and uncompromising leadership to
make things right by and for the people.
The future leadership must aim to create an improved
system of government in which power is properly shared with the legislature,
and the people instead of being concentrated in the office of prime minister
and cabinet.
The PNG government must restore a significant, independent role to our parliament through this six-point plan:
1. Elect
an independent speaker, who will not sit in a party caucus during the term of the
legislature over which he presides.
2. Establish
legislative committees in key policy areas with the power to initiate legislation,
propose amendments to government legislation, and investigate and report on the
progress of government programs in their policy areas.
3. Appoint
a special legislative committee to ensure proper scrutiny and public discussion
of government proposals in areas of national and provincial concern.
4. Mandate
government to make comprehensive responses to parliamentary committee reports
within a fixed time, indicating acceptance or rejection of the committee
findings and giving reasons for acceptance or rejection.
5. Amend
the Elections Act to require a by-election to be called within 60 days of a
vacancy and held within 90 days of a vacancy.
6. Enable
real public dialogue that can have a genuine influence on government policies
and priorities.
It is time for the government to adopt an open legislative
process to allow maximum consultation and improve the quality of PNG’s
democracy.
Patriotic Nationalist: A very good 7th point and I fully support your good comments.
May I also ask our many readers on PNG Atitude to feel free to add other powerful points to build it up to maybe a 10 point-plan to really transform our country, and add a powerful clout to our Vision 2050.
Posted by: Reginald Renagi | 22 May 2010 at 02:13 PM
Mr. Renagi,
I like the 6-Point Plan.
Maybe, it's buried somewhere within those 6 points, but can I excuse you to add a single liner making it a 7-Point Plan? 7 is a perfect number, it wouldn't hurt?
Plan 7: Make Zero Tolerance on Corruption an Act and begin mopping from the people's house - by adopting Independent Commission Against Corruption
(ICAC)and setting an independent committee for the same.
Posted by: Patriotic Nationalist | 22 May 2010 at 09:11 AM
What a great short plan for PNG by Reginald. By the way, I love reading his comments on the 'PNG Attitude' blog. I admire his style of writing on the different issues, like Paul Oates and others to keep readers' interest going.
Frankly, I am sick and tired of reading about the same corruption stories daily in PNG, and always look forward to reading what Reginald has to say on other issues discussed in this blog.
Thank you Reginald for your refreshing comments, but keep talking about improving things in PNG. We need this kind of straight talking from as many people like you as possible to make the government stop for once, and do the right thing by our people.
I'm sure people in high places are reading this blog. Hopefully they do something about keeping PNG leaders on their toes from down under.
Posted by: Susan James | 12 May 2010 at 02:37 PM
Joe and Jaymz: Thank you both for your kind comments.
I can comment without fear or favour about PNG, as the country’s leaders still have a long way to go to get their act together to properly govern my country. But I think it would be unfair for me to do the same for Australia for several reasons.
The first being it should be Australians who are better placed to do that.
Secondly, Australia has had some 200 years after they adopted the English parliamentary democratic model to refine it to its present day version. It still is not perfect as it adjusts to changing times, and likewise for New Zealand.
Thirdly, it will also take a further 200 years for PNG to reach the present stage that Australia is in.
The political and government system in PNG will keep on getting fine-tuned with each new administration in between national elections, and so on. It will never stop for obvious reasons.
Fourth, and at the risk of annoying many good Aussie mates I have both in the military and in public service and business contacts who may be reading this blog, I will pass on with your suggestion.
Jaymz, the important thing to remember here is it does not matter what I think about Australia. Australia has one major advantage over PNG in that it has had over 200 years to still work at improving its government system as PNG will also be doing in future years.
I think we have some of our own Australian experts in Paul Oates, Phil Fitzpatrick, John Fowkes; and our popular blog publisher, Keith Jackson including many other good Aussie friends to comment on what Australia needs to further refine its own political and government system.
Thanks for both of your encouraging comments. There's more comment to follow in the next few months - the year is still long for better blog posts on the PNG Attitude.
Keep writing on anything that will greatly contribute to improving and strengthening our two countries relationship now and in the future.
Posted by: Reginald Renagi | 11 May 2010 at 11:52 PM
Renagi, I really agree with this article. It would be proper if we have all these points in place.
I thank Renagi, Keith Jacksons, Paul Oates and other regular writers to this site. Your contributions are very important and worth more. If it was in another country such ideas would cost a lot.
Thank you, keep up the good work.
Posted by: Joe Wasia | 10 May 2010 at 04:52 PM
Please, Reginald, can we have your points for Australia too? Your number three is partly covered by our Senate Committee system, but the others would be a dose of fresh air in Canberra
But, as in Waigani, how to get fixed-interest politicians to think of us, the people.
Keep up the good work - I always look forward to reading your contributions.
Posted by: Jaymz Dash | 10 May 2010 at 10:25 AM