# Parliament Sitting | Live | Tuesday 2nd June 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtPg9pFIR5g

[11:40] Honorable members, we have kurum member for Guyala will lead us in prayer.
[11:48] for our God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
[11:52] This morning we come to you as mere human beings with many shortcomings.
[11:58] We are not ready to be in your presence.
[12:00] So I ask that you us blood of Jesus.
[12:03] So we can't be acceptable in your presence if your presence is holy.
[12:10] This morning I want to talk to the prime minister, deputy leader and all members of his house.
[12:26] I want you to I want to ask you for your favors to be upon this house this morning as we preside.
[12:30] Also I want to pray for those who are on their knees day and night.
[12:33] So many goodness and blessings will flow on it on your people.
[12:38] Father, answer all their prayers
[12:43] that they pray every time.
[12:45] Father, this morning we are faced with the reality of deciding on Bogenville affairs and preciding over it.
[12:51] Father, you know what is it is to be yes and what are the consequences behind and what it is to be no and what are the cons cones behind the no.
[13:03] But for that I let it in your wisdom and your goodness.
[13:07] With that I ask all members of parliament to join me join me with the word of with the word with the prayer that the lord himself taught us.
[13:16] Our father who trespass against us.
[13:33] Lead us not into temptation.
[13:35] From evil is the kingdom, power, and glory forever and ever. Amen.
[13:50] Honorable members,
[14:00] I acknowledge the presence in the speakers of the public gallery,
[14:09] a delegation comprising a representative of the autonomous Bogenville government led by honorable legical Masad, MHR, vice President and Attorney General,
[14:22] a delegation comprising a representative of civil society organization in Bogenville who work in close partnership with the autonomous Bogenville government,
[14:34] a delegation comprising a representative of the Bogenville Panguna chiefs,
[14:41] the political science students from the social and humanities and social science at the University of Papa Newu Guini.
[14:50] and the grade 10 and 11 students and
[14:52] their teachers from the Northeast Academic Secondary School in the National Capital District.
[14:59] On behalf of the National Parliament, I extend a warm welcome to you all.
[15:09] Glad Pettison notices honorable members question time.
[15:18] The honorable member for Kunda member for Kunda.
[15:26] Thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker people.
[15:32] My question this morning is directed to the good treasurer.
[15:36] Mr. Deputy Speaker, as part of the IFM economic reform program, Dina has been allowed to free float and as a result has depreciated to alltime low against major trading currencies.
[15:55] As a result, we can already see obvious signs of important inflation in this country.
[16:01] It's eating away our household income and profits.
[16:07] And it's also expensive to buy Aussie dollars and the US dollars.
[16:16] Now the cost of Australian dollar and US dollar are expensive have doubled.
[16:20] Mr. Speaker, as we are told, the theory behind this policy is for a a change rate to find a market clearing rate and consequently for the export sector to increase its exports.
[16:39] Hence, Mr. Speaker, my deputy speaker, my questions are can a good treasurer name examples of developing country in Africa and Asia who have seen success in their economy.
[16:58] Exports have increased, businesses have drived and employment has doubled or increased who have similar economic structure to us in this country and who have implemented similar IMF reform policies.
[17:15] Mr. Speaker, any policy must be evidence-based.
[17:22] Number two question, Mr. Deputy Speaker, can the treasurer inform as how much quantity of exports have gone up as a result of this IMF program where the kina has been allowed to depreciate and find a market clearing rate.
[17:41] The increase we see now is from the higher prices of the commodities.
[17:47] But can the treasurer inform his house and the country has the quantity of exports gone up?
[17:58] Number three question Mr. Speaker.
[18:00] Speaker can you confirm the state of the balance of payments?
[18:03] Particularly in the capital accounts.
[18:05] How much capital from existing businesses, existing businesses and investors in PNG have divested in this country and have shifted their capital offshore because they doubt the potential consequences of the IMF economic reform in this country.
[18:28] Number four question Mr. Speaker,
[18:30] Speaker, can you confirm that the value and the frequency of currency trading has increased because existing investors and businesses in the country do not have confidence to reinvest to grow their businesses and investment in the country and thereby have sifted the excess capital offshore and then they buy back the kina to gain from the depreciation?
[19:00] Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[19:03] My questions may be long.
[19:06] He can answer now.
[19:07] If he cannot, he can respond in writing a writing later in the interest of the country.
[19:09] Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
[19:12] The honorable treasurer.
[19:16] Thank you.
[19:19] Thank you, Miss Mr. uh acting speaker.
[19:24] And I want to thank the uh honorable member for his questions on depreciations and some of its effect um on balance of payments, current account um and his questions on whether exports have increased.
[19:44] Uh on his first question, can I give examples of African countries?
[19:46] Um I can't right now.
[19:50] So I'd be happy to uh provide that.
[19:55] uh example um before the end of this parliamentary session uh like most of us inside here I
[20:02] Don't think many of us are experts with the uh African economy so I'll get back to you on that one uh on that question uh uh on whether exports have increased as a result of our depreciation and this government's um plan to uh fix the foreign exchange problem.
[20:27] Uh I'm pleased to say that export earnings uh back when we formed this government uh in 2022 achieved a then record of 51 billion kina.
[20:42] Then in 2023 46 billion um reduced a little bit to 46 billion.
[20:50] Than in uh 2024 dropped again to 51.7.
[20:56] Um but we do expect record levels for last year when those figures become
[21:02] available.
[21:04] Um our balance of payments uh when we form government reached uh 2.8 8 billion kina in 2022.
[21:16] Um and then dropped to 199 million in 23 and then increased to 238 million back in 2024.
[21:26] Um and on current account the same in 226.1 billion 23 10.1 and 24 a record of 18.4 billion.
[21:37] But the good news Mr. Mr. Speaker, is that in the meantime, foreign exchange reserves uh have grown and for um at the end of 2024, were in excess of 14 um.6 billion kina.
[21:57] Um as to the fourth questions, I'll ask him to um shoot that over to me and I'll give him a a very detailed prepared
[22:04] Answer. Thank you governor for uh thank you Mr. Deputy speaker.
[22:20] And this is on behalf of the mostly the people of West Coast in ECP who are suffering at the moment including the people of Itabe as a result of a serious wash out um that occurred some years ago.
[22:36] Um by way of background Mr. Speaker, some time ago, a company called China Shen Yang International, it was given a contract of 68 million to redevelop uh the Borum airport after it completed the job.
[22:55] Uh as we know now, Borum airport has serious flooding issues and is affecting flights in and out of uh Wiiweek.
[23:04] Recently, I think in 2024, the national government gave the same company at the expense of a local contractor in its wisdom the Pasanto Mapri highway for 83 million kina.
[23:17] Since the massive announcement in the papers in 2024, I can confirm that there is no work occurring from the Pasaman to Mabri highway because I travel on it at the Param Kalvet wash out the previous works secretary and I understand this this all happened before your time uh uh Mr. Minister but I wanted to document this for you so you you have an understanding.
[23:48] 1.5 million kina was paid also around 2024 to the same contractor to fix the param kalvet to date it hasn't done so.
[24:00] There was a serious lands slip just above kin village which could affect the entire civic highway.
[24:06] and I understand China Shenyang was also paid to fix that slip.
[24:10] it hasn't done so to date.
[24:17] my first question is that for small jobs that are less than uh 10 million kina.
[24:27] I am sure there are many local CPI contractors who could have done this job.
[24:32] because they also get oaid contracts so they qualify for ozade contracts somehow.
[24:39] they don't qualify for department of works contracts.
[24:43] so I want to ask my first question as follows.
[24:47] Why were local contractors not considered for such a small contract especially for for param and for for Kin.
[24:57] and given to this company that has so far failed to to deliver in some of its obligations to the people of the state of Papony Guini.
[25:04] Secondly,
[25:07] Prime Minister Morra proudly announces that all contracts below 10 million kina should go exclusively to local contractors.
[25:19] So again, can the minister explain why and I know this happened when the there was a previous secretary these contracts were given to a foreign company who still is unable to deliver and in in the case of the significant uh 80 3 million kina from Pasam to Mapri is the minister willing to review that contract?
[25:48] and retender it because as I understand it the Australian government put down a hundred million for that road.
[25:55] A local contractor was recommended to do that road and the NC in its wisdom decided to give it to a Chinese company and the Australian government withdrew the 100 million.
[26:07] If the good minister could provide an
[26:10] explanation to the people of Isipic, I would be very grateful.
[26:13] Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the honorable minister for works and highway.
[26:21] Uh thank you deputy speaker and I want to thank my good governor for ACIC for bringing this very important uh query uh in regards to your roads and it is a very important question and as you highlighted it occurred uh before my time so I would appreciate if I can get your full question in writing so that that I'll be able to answer in full properly to the people of his cipic and to the people of Papini.
[26:58] Thank you governor member for Samurua.
[27:04] Thank you uh deputy speaker look people but before me can directing question I'd
[27:13] I'd like to take this time to acknowledge and thank the government for the support in the u the Mila cyclone disaster that actually devastated my my the people of Samarai Murwa the islands of Samurai Murwa.
[27:31] And I thank the prime minister and also the uh minister for uh dis uh national disaster and emergency for taking time out to actually visit the islands that were devastated.
[27:45] And I'm truly grateful that the government through the prime minister to take time off and to visit islands like Rosel, visit Jingo and see for himself what Son had done and the people of Mimatu.
[28:01] Thankful for his visit on Bim Island and even Budibi Guasopa on Woodlath Islands.
[28:07] We are very very grateful to have the presence of the government to the prime minister and as well as the minister for.
[28:14] Uh national disaster and emergency for taking time out.
[28:17] We're also grateful for the support from our uh partners like the Australian government through uh ADF the support and also the New Zealand government for providing that much needed support at a time.
[28:30] So and also me taking thanking this house for allowing that support from the government giving support to all people me and the minim province in that time of need.
[28:45] Mr. directoruty prime minister and also minister lens.
[28:58] Me by way of background information woodlock island and we got three proposals of land 138 portion 139 and also 140 m much of woodluck land.
[29:16] and stuff inside of this portion and that portion of land is taken up by a foreign company.
[29:25] walk agriculture up to date agriculture in 2020.
[29:36] lens officers from the national lands department plus province you go down walking inspection.
[29:44] And which they did and based on an inspection a report was produced and out of the report find him out that big come up.
[30:00] and recommendations were been given in the report and recommendation were straightforward asking minister go back all $5 million SLA retaining his t for government purposes and use.
[30:20] Today district is very fortunate.
[30:23] And we make problem long and running.
[30:25] Right now we thank him national government for giving us echourism.
[30:32] Now walk off walking this walk and two people are working too walking carbon trade.
[30:39] Now this work who is running?
[30:46] Okay. Thank you.
[30:46] Today's program Woodlock Island people and my question now minister one time it's almost 6 years now one time recommendation from local customer land owners and also long government so that MLA can work the district in terms of its economic program running echurism mining and also carbon trade time recommendation minister lens.
[31:19] Thank you.
[31:23] Honorable deputy prime minister.
[31:26] Uh thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker.
[31:28] I'd like to uh appreciate the question from uh the honorable Henry Leonard the member for Samar Mura.
[31:39] The landing question, as he posed a question, the landing question is an agricultural lease, alienated land that was granted a long time ago to uh prior to this government's term to a uh private company for agricultural development purposes.
[31:58] And as he quite rightfully pointed out that land has not been developed uh for its uh proper primary purpose on the lease covenants as a uh agricultural uh development lease.
[32:10] The good uh member has approached uh my good office and I thank him for that and we discussed the matter and uh I shared the same concerns.
[32:23] We then uh between the two of us worked
[32:26] in conjunction and I summoned the
[32:30] uh company that was holding it to
[32:32] explain to myself why they had not
[32:35] developed that lease. The explanation
[32:38] was not satisfactory. So I at that time
[32:42] at that point in time actually forfeited
[32:45] that particular portion of land as uh as
[32:48] a good member is aware of the land in
[32:52] question was then forfeited.
[32:55] However, as like everything else we are
[32:57] open to uh court. So the uh company in
[33:01] question took the lands department
[33:03] including myself to court uh deputy
[33:05] speaker and uh quash the forfeiture
[33:08] edition. However the case has not ended.
[33:12] We have now reinstigated
[33:15] another forefection to ensure that we
[33:18] able to uh get this land and grant it as
[33:23] we agreed granted to the district so
[33:25] that they can be able to pursue their
[33:28] ambitions. Uh Mr. Deputy Speaker,
[33:31] government land as always when you for
[33:34] do for feature actions uh the tenant in
[33:37] question runs to the court and the court
[33:40] at the time granted that the addition
[33:43] made by me as a minister at the time was
[33:46] not uh proper but it has not closed had
[33:50] not closed the subject Mr. Deputy
[33:53] Speaker. So I'd like to assure the good
[33:55] minister that we will continue working
[33:57] in consultation with himself to ensure
[34:00] this is done. It has taken a long time
[34:04] uh Mr. Deputy Speaker but such is our
[34:06] court processes in Papu Nigini which
[34:09] sometimes take quite a while before the
[34:11] end uh uh end event. So I'd like to
[34:15] assure Mr. Deputy Speaker showed the
[34:18] good member and the people of Woodlock
[34:19] that we have not forgotten the issue and
[34:22] we're continuing to uh attend to the
[34:25] issue to ensure that for feature takes
[34:28] place over this portion of land and
[34:32] given to the DDA for their development
[34:35] as per their agenda. Thank you Mr.
[34:36] Deputy Speaker.
[34:41] >> The honorable uh opposition leader.
[34:44] >> Uh thank you deputy speaker. My question
[34:45] without notice uh goes to the honorable
[34:49] uh minister uh Maru, the minister for
[34:51] international uh trade and investments.
[34:54] Uh deputy speaker uh since uh last week
[34:58] uh we have been asking a lot of
[35:00] questions about the new uh special
[35:02] purpose vehicle Croton and the 4.2%
[35:04] equity uh investment into this vehicle.
[35:07] Now the opposition uh on behalf of the
[35:10] people of Papa Nigini, Mr. Deputy
[35:11] Speaker would like the good minister to
[35:14] elaborate on what is the role of the
[35:17] MRDC as the corporate fund manager for
[35:21] all petroleum gas uh uh petroleum and
[35:24] gas projects uh under the MRDC act.
[35:27] What's its role with respect to uh
[35:29] Croton SPV? And we were under the
[35:32] impression uh Mr. Deputy Speaker uh from
[35:35] sources that the matter was taken to
[35:37] court between MRDC and um KPHL and this
[35:42] matter has yet to uh go to trial. So by
[35:46] creating the Croton SPV is it contempt
[35:48] of court or is it subjudice because the
[35:52] matter is still in court? And uh the
[35:54] third question Mr. Deputy Speaker to uh
[35:57] the astute minister is from his uh vast
[36:01] experience and background uh in
[36:03] investments and in uh international
[36:06] finance. How how how did he uh allow
[36:10] this to come to cabinet knowing full
[36:12] well that the implications uh of of uh
[36:16] the quote on SPV uh encroached on
[36:19] existing legislation.
[36:21] Now, we'd ask the good uh minister to
[36:24] clearly elaborate to the honorable house
[36:26] and the people of Papa Nigini so he can
[36:29] allay some of these concerns and if it
[36:31] is subjudice and if it is contempt of
[36:34] court then to stop this arrangement
[36:36] immediately. Thank you deputy speaker.
[36:39] >> The honorable minister for international
[36:41] trade investment.
[36:50] I thank you Mr. Speaker and I'd like to
[36:53] thank the opposition leader for this
[36:55] very important question.
[36:57] Let me start by saying
[37:00] I did not sponsor that paper. So I was
[37:03] not part of the decision to bring that
[37:05] paper
[37:07] >> to cabinet.
[37:30] Thank you again deputies speaker and I'd
[37:32] like to thank the opposition leader for
[37:34] this very important uh question.
[37:37] Uh I think this question is in the the
[37:39] public interest and uh I'll give you my
[37:41] very honest answer. Firstly, I was not
[37:44] the sponsoring minister for that paper.
[37:47] So I'm not able to to I I did not allow
[37:50] this paper to come to government. It
[37:52] didn't come through me. I wanted to be
[37:54] very clear of that one. That's my first
[37:58] answer. Secondly, I'm quite aware
[38:02] now that
[38:04] under section 176
[38:07] of the MDC act that function is the sole
[38:10] responsibility of MRC.
[38:12] There is clear and emotional aware
[38:16] after this question were raised on the
[38:18] floor that this matter has been in court
[38:19] now for two years and will shortly
[38:23] come to trial.
[38:26] So as minister responsible for the
[38:29] capital market of this country, it will
[38:32] be prudent for us to wait until this
[38:34] matter is fully dealt with by the
[38:36] courts.
[38:37] >> It's a very sensitive matter.
[38:44] So
[38:46] I also want to further clarify that
[38:50] only
[38:52] monies for land owners and provincial
[38:55] governments investing in oil and gas
[38:57] projects are governed by that
[38:59] legislation not those in mining areas
[39:03] because the mining act does not provide
[39:05] a similar provision.
[39:08] That is why in 2009
[39:11] the Lehi land owners were able to get
[39:14] their money out of MDC and establish
[39:17] their own trust fund fully licensed by
[39:21] the Securities Commission of Papu Guini.
[39:23] It's called MRL Capital
[39:28] Land owners have been able to manage
[39:29] their own fund independently
[39:31] and it's now grown from 60 million to
[39:34] 600 million. It's probably the best
[39:36] managed land owner investment fund in
[39:38] the country.
[39:41] So my view as the minister responsible
[39:44] for capital markets and also
[39:46] responsibility over preserving the
[39:48] interest of land owners and promal
[39:49] governments with equity funds. The
[39:51] matter is now in court and I'm very
[39:53] careful not to say anymore. I'd like to
[39:55] see the court fully decide whether
[39:59] Kum Petroleum or special purpose vehicle
[40:03] or MRC should be responsible for the
[40:06] corporate management of these funds
[40:08] under license from the security
[40:10] commission of Papa Guini. Thank you Mr.
[40:12] Speaker.
[40:15] The honorable governor for
[40:19] speaker opportunity asking some question
[40:24] like direo
[40:25] minister I'm responsible national
[40:27] emergency disaster
[40:34] prime minister take note
[40:38] minister education health to take note
[40:41] uh sorry minister police take note
[40:47] I want to uh draw attention to the an
[40:50] issue that is going to be of serious
[40:52] concern to the rest of this country
[40:53] indeed the world
[40:56] in the very not too distant future and
[40:58] that's the issue of the El Nino event
[41:01] and its potential consequences for our
[41:03] communities throughout Papa Nigini
[41:05] including the people of Oro province a
[41:07] disasterprone province
[41:10] so according to the meteorological
[41:12] agencies and climate monitoring
[41:14] institutions. They have indicated that
[41:15] the high probability of a significant
[41:17] Elnino cycle
[41:19] will commence this year and extend
[41:21] potentially into early 2027.
[41:24] Now from our history and from our
[41:27] experience, previous El Nino events,
[41:29] particularly that of the 2015 to 2016
[41:32] period resulted in severe drought
[41:35] conditions, crop failures, insecurity,
[41:37] shortages of safe drinking water and
[41:39] increased public health challenges
[41:41] across many parts of our country. We saw
[41:44] a snapshot or a preview of this just
[41:45] recently with the cyclone cyclone Malia
[41:50] uh whereby a lot of our people were
[41:52] affected and they were indeed not just
[41:54] destruction to property and gardens and
[41:58] food sources but also to the loss of
[42:01] lives and uh I'd like to pass my
[42:03] condolence to the families who lost
[42:06] their loved ones during this period of
[42:08] time.
[42:12] Now the National Disaster Center has
[42:14] activated early preparedness measures
[42:16] and I commend the government for this
[42:17] including also I must thank the
[42:19] government for their efforts to react
[42:21] promptly. Ora province also received a
[42:24] portion of funding and we were able to
[42:26] deploy our provincial disaster teams to
[42:29] areas affected by this particular
[42:31] situation.
[42:34] But my questions are this.
[42:36] Will the minister advise the house
[42:41] of the total amount of funding allocated
[42:43] by the national government for the El
[42:44] Nino preparedness and response
[42:45] activities and specify how much of these
[42:48] funds have been released or committed to
[42:50] provincial administrations and
[42:52] provincial disaster committees to date?
[42:56] Second, will the minister outline the
[42:58] government's operational preparedness
[43:00] plan including timelines for the
[43:02] procurement, transportation,
[43:04] prepositioning of emergency food
[43:06] supplies, droughtresistant planting
[43:08] materials, water storage facilities,
[43:11] water purification equipment in
[43:13] vulnerable districts and communities.
[43:17] Thirdly, given the logistical challenges
[43:19] associated with service servicing remote
[43:22] and isolated communities, what
[43:24] arrangements have been put in place with
[43:26] government agencies, the private sector,
[43:29] transport providers, and development
[43:31] partners to ensure the timely delivery
[43:33] of emergency supplies and humanitarian
[43:36] assistance should conditions
[43:38] deteriorate.
[43:40] Fourth, what measures are being
[43:43] undertaken in collaboration with the
[43:44] Ministry of Health, provincial health
[43:47] authorities and provincial
[43:48] administrations to ensure that aid
[43:50] posts, health centers, and district
[43:52] hospitals are adequately stocked with
[43:55] essential medicines, medical supplies,
[43:57] and emergency resources to respond to
[43:59] any increase in malnutrition,
[44:02] dehydration, waterborn diseases, and
[44:04] other El Nino related health impacts.
[44:09] Fifth, will the minister inform this
[44:11] house whether the government has
[44:13] completed provincial vulnerability
[44:15] vulnerability assessments and risk
[44:17] mapping? And if so, which provinces and
[44:20] districts have been identified as
[44:22] priorities for immediate intervention
[44:24] and support? Finally, Mr. Mr. Speaker,
[44:27] what mechanisms are in place to ensure
[44:29] regular public reporting and
[44:30] communication to affected communities
[44:33] regarding preparedness measures,
[44:35] emergency response activities, and the
[44:37] availability of assistance during the El
[44:39] Nino period. Mr. Speaker, the people of
[44:43] Oral Province and Papa Guina deserve
[44:45] assurance that government preparations
[44:47] are commensurate with the scale of the
[44:50] threat and that all necessary measures
[44:52] are being taken to protect lives,
[44:54] livelihoods and essential services. And
[44:57] Mr. Speaker, I prepared this into a
[44:59] document that I forwarded to the good
[45:00] minister so that perhaps he can
[45:02] construct a report to present to the
[45:04] house if he cannot answer all these
[45:06] questions today, which I believe would
[45:08] be quite difficult. Thank you very much.
[45:11] The honorable minister
[45:14] national emergency and disaster.
[45:18] Uh
[45:18] >> thank you deputy speaker. I thank the
[45:21] governor the good governor for oral
[45:22] points for asking this very important
[45:25] questions. I also want to thank him for
[45:28] being one of the governors
[45:32] in our parliament who has been working
[45:33] very closely with the national disaster
[45:35] center with me on many occasions raising
[45:38] issues relating to disaster.
[45:43] Mr. Deputy Speaker, the our national
[45:46] government's
[45:49] how we deal with disaster is guided by
[45:51] the 1984
[45:53] disaster management act and it provides
[45:56] in section three
[45:59] the committee a committee set up in to
[46:03] deal with any disaster of great
[46:07] importance like the El Nino that we are
[46:11] faced do it
[46:13] like the governor said and as I
[46:14] presented on Friday last week scientists
[46:18] around the world are saying that there
[46:20] is an 82% chance that we will have a
[46:23] super alino
[46:25] uh s we have never seen
[46:28] probably in the last 100 years
[46:32] and so it is very important that as a
[46:34] government and as a country we have to
[46:36] prepare
[46:38] for disaster uh disaster management
[46:43] framework uh Mr. Deputy Speaker
[46:46] is a cycle.
[46:48] Many of times we
[46:51] react
[46:53] to disasters but the management of
[46:56] disaster is a cycle
[46:59] uh that leads from one to another. The
[47:02] first one is mitigation and prevention.
[47:06] This is where proactive measures are
[47:08] taken to reduce vulnerability
[47:11] and prevent hazards from becoming
[47:14] disasters.
[47:17] The second and most important is
[47:18] preparedness.
[47:21] This is where governments
[47:24] from the national to subnational
[47:25] governments plan
[47:28] to respond to disaster if there is such
[47:30] a disaster.
[47:33] And the third one is response
[47:35] and this is where we have been good at
[47:39] but we also need to improve on this one.
[47:42] And the fourth step is recovery. Mr.
[47:44] Deputy Speaker, I'll come to the
[47:46] questions but I have to say this because
[47:48] it's very important.
[47:52] The fourth step is recovery. After a
[47:54] disaster,
[47:56] the national disaster center, provincial
[47:58] government's districts and the national
[48:00] government with our development partners
[48:02] and UN agencies need to work together as
[48:05] we have done in the past to recover from
[48:07] disaster.
[48:09] And so
[48:11] this is something that we as a
[48:13] government need to work on. And uh we
[48:15] are now presented with this
[48:17] unprecedented uh national disaster event
[48:20] that is being predicted. And as I speak
[48:23] uh Mr. Deputy Speaker uh an inter agency
[48:26] assessment team comprising uh technical
[48:29] offices from the National Weather
[48:30] Service, WASH, UNDP, the National Dece
[48:34] center and M have been deployed already
[48:39] to conduct assessments in provinces that
[48:42] are currently under El Nino watch and
[48:44] these are basically the seven highlands
[48:46] provinces Eastern highlands, Chimu,
[48:49] Chihuaha, Western Highlands, Enga, Hela
[48:51] and Southern Highlands. That does not
[48:53] mean that the other provinces in the
[48:56] country including the autonomous region
[48:58] of Bogenville are not vulnerable. But
[49:00] these early assessments are being
[49:02] carried out and once once a report comes
[49:05] to me I will formulate an NC information
[49:08] paper to NC cabinet and then uh we will
[49:12] look at how we can respond to this one.
[49:14] uh but uh with regards to the six
[49:16] questions that he has asked, there are
[49:18] very important questions and I will
[49:20] respond uh in this sitting of parliament
[49:23] on these important questions. Uh so I
[49:25] thank the governor for sending his uh
[49:27] questions with a notice to me uh just
[49:30] now. So I got it and I'll respond uh
[49:33] within the sitting of parliament. Thank
[49:34] you uh Mr. Speaker,
[49:37] honorable member for Okapa.
[49:41] Uh thank you. Thank you speaker
[49:45] time
[49:48] asking question without notice.
[49:51] Uh Mr. Dep speaker, my question would
[49:53] not this is directed to the good uh
[49:56] minister for health
[49:58] uh question in the social media space
[50:06] across the country uh video
[50:11] man it's a
[50:13] big gap
[50:15] uh big issue across the country so uh
[50:19] Mr. speaker question
[50:21] health minister every time
[50:24] broken money country money
[50:33] debate speaker
[50:45] national government
[50:54] report Australian journalist interview
[50:57] Dr. But mostly general hospital. Uh let
[51:01] me look. Let me ask him uh
[51:04] uh a professional a medical doctor why
[51:08] man sleep
[51:11] hospital
[51:20] district just imagine what's happening
[51:22] around the country. So in health
[51:25] minister he explaining people.
[51:28] Where is what is the problem?
[51:47] system
[51:55] provinces district. So I'm Christian
[51:58] blowing without notice minister also.
[52:00] Thank you deputy speaker
[52:03] >> uh minister for oil.
[52:07] >> Thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker. Thank you.
[52:12] Important question.
[52:17] First one,
[52:22] social media.
[52:34] It's it's against infringes on patients
[52:36] rights and responsibilities.
[52:40] time.
[52:54] Number one, PMC last two years. 2024 MXL
[53:00] 173 million kina most hospital 2024
[53:06] budget go on top of 257 million kina 20
[53:10] that's 2025
[53:12] 2026
[53:14] go
[53:17] >> honorable minister we have a point of
[53:19] order
[53:20] >> point of order of order
[53:22] >> honorable minister we have a point of
[53:24] order member for what's your point of
[53:27] Order.
[53:27] >> My point of order, Mr. Speaker, is every
[53:29] time the minister is asked about health
[53:31] issues, he keeps quoting budget figures.
[53:36] Question is not about how much. Question
[53:38] is
[53:42] answer the question.
[53:44] Budget budget budget fig
[53:47] does it work.
[53:49] >> Honorable
[53:50] >> seven years government is seven years.
[53:53] What are they addressing the floor
[53:54] sleeping of patients? Honor honorable uh
[53:57] honorable member for about
[54:00] order
[54:02] honorable member for about your point of
[54:04] order is in order in the importance of
[54:06] our country but I think the minister is
[54:09] responding to the answer and he is a
[54:11] prerogative of what he respond to the
[54:13] answers being made. So I'll allow the
[54:15] minister to respond to this uh uh
[54:19] question. It is a very important
[54:21] question for our nation to know about
[54:24] the status of the health.
[54:26] >> Okay. Let's allow the minister to
[54:28] respond. Minister.
[54:30] >> Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
[54:42] 272 million budget.
[54:45] So why
[54:49] departments
[54:55] question him now?
[54:59] >> We have another point of order. Minister
[55:02] Governor for
[55:05] what's your point of order?
[55:06] >> Mr. Deputy Speaker, it is common
[55:08] knowledge that uh in 2024 and 2025
[55:12] provinces and a lot of agencies had
[55:14] significant budget cuts and for 2024
[55:19] final budget outcome report.
[55:25] Yes,
[55:28] but
[55:34] honorable governor for easy peak
[55:39] I will not allow you to make a statement
[55:41] on the question that is read
[55:44] if there's anything that uh minister
[55:47] have said it's not correct but for you
[55:50] to make a statement to tell him and
[55:52] correct him on what he's making let the
[55:54] minister
[55:56] speaker
[56:04] talk out what was the cash component
[56:05] that actually arrived at the facility.
[56:08] Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
[56:11] >> Thank you. I think I've made the ruling
[56:13] already. I'll allow the minister to make
[56:15] the statement. Um the minister is just
[56:19] beginning to make an reply on the
[56:21] question. So allow him to make the
[56:23] question. We cannot put a question
[56:26] before him ask uh replying to the
[56:29] question. So allow the minister to make
[56:31] the question. Minister.
[56:33] >> Thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker. Uh PFJ at
[56:37] the moment is governed by public
[56:38] hospital act 1994
[56:44] act of 2007.
[56:47] uh at the moment only got uh 1,291
[56:50] workman PMGs
[56:53] only got uh 255 positions vacant at the
[56:56] moment which at the moment as I speak
[56:58] recruitment now
[57:00] also
[57:04] maternity world PMJ that's 60 every
[57:06] month 17,000 every year and plan through
[57:10] 24D
[57:17] Doctor stop now underutilized.
[57:21] Okay. Something like actually meeting at
[57:25] the moment address him how he can work
[57:27] one time.
[57:33] system
[57:39] PMG level six country
[57:42] national referral super specialist
[57:44] training research hospital level one the
[57:47] primary health level two moment post
[57:50] level three health center level four
[57:52] district hospital M level primary health
[57:54] level five provincial hospitals level
[57:56] six you don't need to look at the line
[57:58] way
[58:00] supposed private health level at the
[58:03] moment
[58:05] today they undergoing renovation we're
[58:07] going to improve the number of bed space
[58:08] in our hospital
[58:13] now clinic must be northwest
[58:17] must be northwest must be northeast
[58:22] for the first time for the first deliver
[58:30] clinic underutilized two delivery beds
[58:46] specialist areas like kidney transplants
[58:49] heart specialist now kidney cancer
[58:52] facilities we are doing a 200 100
[58:54] million can cancer facility the PMJS for
[58:56] the first time in our country. So we
[58:58] need to allow PMJs to actually deliver
[59:00] at that level while we improve the
[59:01] primary health level. So what we're
[59:04] doing at central province
[59:08] becomes the interim hospital central
[59:10] province only got six doctors now for
[59:13] the first time in the history. Mr. Abau
[59:16] you can go and confirm with me but there
[59:19] we have a point for
[59:20] >> six doctors now.
[59:23] Honorable minister, we have a point of
[59:24] order. Member for about what's your
[59:26] point of order?
[59:27] >> Point of order, Mr. Speaker. You know
[59:29] the current minister
[59:32] during COVID, he declared quila which
[59:35] was a health center status to a
[59:38] provincial hospital status
[59:41] and
[59:44] you cannot turn a health center into and
[59:47] declare it for nothing into honorable
[59:50] minister. Issue me a seat. I'll make a
[59:52] decision.
[59:52] >> Therefore, the minister has to make a
[59:55] commitment to build a hospital for
[59:58] central province people.
[01:00:00] >> That deal it's never been built
[01:00:05] 10 years ago. Let me talk about talk
[01:00:08] about the central provincial.
[01:00:09] >> Let me interrupt you honorable member.
[01:00:11] Your point of order is out of order.
[01:00:13] It's not in line with what the minister
[01:00:15] is saying. Uh minister I think the
[01:00:18] honorable member for Kapa is asking you
[01:00:21] a question to know why we have those
[01:00:24] problem and it's not being addressed
[01:00:27] what what's your plan on it so I think
[01:00:30] respond to the minister in that regard
[01:00:33] uh member for kapa
[01:00:34] >> speaker uh la
[01:00:38] I went there announce at announcing or
[01:00:42] central becomes the inter mosik central
[01:00:45] province we won't be able to have
[01:00:47] doctors there today. You got six
[01:00:48] doctors. I went there three weeks ago
[01:00:52] w got six doctors for the first time got
[01:00:55] X-ray department X-ray pathology got
[01:00:58] dental got maternity wads are now
[01:01:01] delivering at for the first time in the
[01:01:02] history of that place
[01:01:08] all of these things are in place while
[01:01:09] we fix the central provincial hospital
[01:01:11] that was delayed because of a lot of
[01:01:12] reasons suppose me talk by taking one
[01:01:15] old test and talking about these things
[01:01:17] >> we actually improving kamama as well.
[01:01:20] Last week I was in Kama for the first
[01:01:22] time Kama got all of these mater the
[01:01:24] word kamabl
[01:01:26] service kabla dental x-ray all of these
[01:01:28] are I acknowledge the mayor for ka and
[01:01:32] golf pha for all of these things
[01:01:33] happening ph must be supported by the
[01:01:36] governors
[01:01:38] members
[01:01:40] service level agreement on the ph make
[01:01:42] work minister health prime minister
[01:01:45] committee money establishing health laws
[01:01:47] standards
[01:01:49] >> honorable minister we have a point of
[01:01:51] order
[01:01:52] point of order Uh,
[01:01:54] >> Mr. Deputy Speaker, we we don't want to
[01:01:57] know about all his accomplishments or
[01:01:58] perverted accomplishments. We want to
[01:02:01] know whether the PHA is working or it's
[01:02:03] not working and what's his solution.
[01:02:05] Thank you
[01:02:08] >> honorable uh honorable minister
[01:02:11] honorable minister our question time
[01:02:15] labs I would ask you to sum up your
[01:02:18] question uh your reply and as you know
[01:02:22] minister it this is a very important
[01:02:24] issue in regard on that if you can sum
[01:02:27] up your uh reply and maybe you can make
[01:02:32] a statement in a coming session for the
[01:02:34] importance of the members of parliament
[01:02:37] in regard to that issue. Honorable
[01:02:39] minister,
[01:02:40] >> thank you to Mr. Deputy Speaker
[01:02:45] like
[01:02:46] >> honorable minister we have another point
[01:02:48] of order. What's your point of order?
[01:02:52] >> You know present time run out minister
[01:02:55] in minister explain po
[01:02:59] under pressure too because it saves our
[01:03:01] capital city
[01:03:03] central province. It serves G province
[01:03:07] context honorable governor.
[01:03:13] >> Honorable governor receive a seat.
[01:03:16] >> Honorable governor receive a seat. Thank
[01:03:18] you. You know that there's you know that
[01:03:21] there's nothing in the there's nothing
[01:03:23] in the standing order that you can help
[01:03:25] another person to answer the question.
[01:03:27] So your point of order is out of order.
[01:03:30] Honorable minister. Thank you, Mr.
[01:03:32] Speaker.
[01:03:40] KPIM
[01:03:44] ask question
[01:03:47] what is the future 2020 2030 or 2031 our
[01:03:52] health facilities again and system the
[01:03:53] country we know what we're doing and
[01:03:55] we'll improve the system by 2030 come
[01:03:57] back and check us again. Thank you Mr.
[01:03:58] Speaker. Honorable members, our question
[01:04:01] time is laps.
[01:04:08] Clark papers.
[01:04:14] The chairman of the Bogenville Affairs
[01:04:18] Matter
[01:04:20] Biparis Committee.
[01:04:29] Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
[01:04:34] Honorable members,
[01:04:36] pursuant to statute,
[01:04:39] I present the report of the bipartisan
[01:04:41] parliamentary committee on Bogenville
[01:04:43] matters
[01:04:45] relating to the nationwide public
[01:04:47] consultations
[01:04:49] conducted regarding the Bogenville
[01:04:51] referendum 2026.
[01:04:59] make your speech.
[01:05:02] Uh honorable uh chairman, you will ask
[01:05:05] leave of the parliament.
[01:05:06] >> Mr. Speaker,
[01:05:08] I ask leave of the parliament to make a
[01:05:12] statement in connection with the report.
[01:05:16] >> Mr. Le granted,
[01:05:18] >> leave granted.
[01:05:20] Mr. Chairman, make your speech.
[01:05:25] Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
[01:05:28] I rise today to present the report of
[01:05:31] the bipartisan parliamentary committee
[01:05:34] on Bogenville matters on the nationwide
[01:05:37] public consultations
[01:05:39] conducted regarding the Bogenville
[01:05:42] referendum.
[01:05:44] This report presents the views
[01:05:50] and perspectives expressed by citizens
[01:05:53] during consultations held across Papu
[01:05:56] Guinea
[01:05:58] and in the autonomous region of
[01:06:01] Bogenville.
[01:06:03] These views and perspectives were
[01:06:06] recorded and subsequently transcribed
[01:06:10] verbatim.
[01:06:13] The purpose of the committee report
[01:06:17] is not to determine or advocate for a
[01:06:21] particular outcome, but to uphold
[01:06:24] Parliament's duty to listen to and
[01:06:28] represent the views of citizens as
[01:06:32] this house considers
[01:06:34] matters arising from the 2019 referendum
[01:06:39] within the constitutional framework of
[01:06:42] Papu. New Guinea.
[01:06:44] The consultations
[01:06:46] were undertaken as part of Parliament's
[01:06:48] continuing responsibility
[01:06:51] under the Bogenville peace agreement and
[01:06:54] the constitution of Papua New Guinea.
[01:07:04] Mr. Deputy Speaker,
[01:07:07] the committee approached this task with
[01:07:10] a clear understanding that the question
[01:07:12] of Bogenville's future political status
[01:07:16] is among the most important
[01:07:18] constitutional and political issues
[01:07:21] facing our nation.
[01:07:23] It is an issue shaped by a by a complex
[01:07:28] history.
[01:07:32] A history
[01:07:34] from early human settlement
[01:07:40] through the times of early explorers,
[01:07:43] the period of German and British
[01:07:45] colonization,
[01:07:47] the Australian pre-independence rule,
[01:07:50] early PNG self-governance and
[01:07:52] independence,
[01:07:54] an issue
[01:07:56] shaped by the experiences of conflict
[01:07:59] and reconciliation
[01:08:01] and by the commitment ments made in the
[01:08:03] Bogna peace agreement that restored
[01:08:06] peace and stability after a difficult
[01:08:11] period in our country's history.
[01:08:15] As members of this house are aware,
[01:08:19] the Bogenville peace agreement,
[01:08:24] born out of conflict and heartaches,
[01:08:27] established a carefully balanced
[01:08:29] framework for resolving longstanding
[01:08:33] political questions through peaceful and
[01:08:37] constitutional means.
[01:08:39] It recognized Bogenville's unique
[01:08:42] historical experience while also
[01:08:46] reaffirming the role of the national
[01:08:48] parliament in considering the outcome of
[01:08:50] the referendum within the constitutional
[01:08:53] framework of Papo Nug Guina. In this
[01:08:56] context,
[01:08:58] the bipartisan parliamentary committee
[01:09:00] on bogenville matters was tasked with
[01:09:03] supporting parliamentary engagement and
[01:09:06] ensuring that the views of citizens
[01:09:08] across the country could be heard as
[01:09:11] part of this important national
[01:09:14] conversation.
[01:09:17] Mr. Deputy Speaker, the consultations
[01:09:20] conducted by the committee
[01:09:29] pursuant to its terms of reference
[01:09:33] provided an opportunity for citizens
[01:09:36] from all regions of Papo Nug Guina to
[01:09:38] express their views and perspectives.
[01:09:42] Consultations were held in provincial
[01:09:44] centers across the highlands, Mamas,
[01:09:47] Southern, and New Guinea Islands regions
[01:09:50] as well as in the autonomous region of
[01:09:52] Bogenville.
[01:09:55] Participants represented a broad
[01:09:57] cross-section of society including
[01:10:00] community leaders,
[01:10:02] church representatives,
[01:10:04] women and youth groups, civil society
[01:10:07] organizations,
[01:10:09] academics,
[01:10:10] legal practitioners, former and current
[01:10:13] public officials, and members of the
[01:10:16] general public.
[01:10:18] The committee also received written
[01:10:21] submissions from individuals and
[01:10:24] organizations from Bogenville and from
[01:10:26] other parts of the country.
[01:10:29] Through these engagements,
[01:10:31] the committee heard a broad range of
[01:10:33] perspectives from participants across
[01:10:36] the country. contributors reflected on
[01:10:39] the significance of the referendum and
[01:10:42] the aspirations expressed by the people
[01:10:44] of Bogenville while also highlighting
[01:10:47] the importance of constitutional
[01:10:49] processes, national unity and careful
[01:10:53] consideration of future arrangements.
[01:11:03] Overall, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the
[01:11:06] discussions demonstrated
[01:11:08] a strong awareness of the importance of
[01:11:12] the issue and a shared commitment to
[01:11:16] addressing it thoughtfully,
[01:11:19] responsibly,
[01:11:21] and in a manner that upholds peace,
[01:11:25] stability, and the principles of our
[01:11:27] constitution.
[01:11:30] Mr. Deputy Speaker, although
[01:11:32] participants expressed a variety of
[01:11:34] views, several important themes emerged
[01:11:37] consistently across consultations
[01:11:40] in all regions.
[01:11:43] First, there was a strong recognition
[01:11:46] across all consultations of the
[01:11:49] importance of maintaining peace and
[01:11:52] stability.
[01:11:54] Participants frequently referred to the
[01:11:57] legacy of the Bogenville conflict and
[01:11:59] emphasized the need for parliament to
[01:12:02] approach its consideration with care,
[01:12:06] responsibility,
[01:12:08] and a clear commitment to preserving the
[01:12:11] peace achieved through years of dialogue
[01:12:14] and reconciliation.
[01:12:17] Second, Mr. Deputy Speaker, many
[01:12:21] participants highlighted the importance
[01:12:24] of constitutional process.
[01:12:26] There was a strong emphasis on the
[01:12:29] expectation that Parliament's
[01:12:30] consideration of the referendum outcome
[01:12:33] will proceed transparently
[01:12:36] and in accordance with the constitution
[01:12:39] and the Bogenville peace agreement
[01:12:41] recognizing that clarity and openness in
[01:12:45] the process can help foster public
[01:12:47] understanding and confidence.
[01:12:50] Thirdly, Mr. Deputy Speaker,
[01:12:53] consultations highlighted the need for
[01:12:56] careful planning in considering future
[01:12:59] arrangements.
[01:13:01] Participants raised issues relating to
[01:13:03] governance capacity, economic stability,
[01:13:07] and institutional development,
[01:13:09] emphasizing the importance of managing
[01:13:12] any transition in an orderly and
[01:13:16] responsible manner. Mr. Deputy Speaker,
[01:13:21] another theme that emerged
[01:13:27] during the consultations was the
[01:13:30] importance of continued dialogue
[01:13:36] and constructive engagement between
[01:13:38] Bonville and the rest of Papo Nu Guina.
[01:13:42] Many participants emphasized that
[01:13:45] regardless of the eventual outcome, the
[01:13:49] future relationship should continue to
[01:13:51] be guided by cooperation,
[01:13:54] mutual respect, and a shared commitment
[01:13:58] to peace and stability.
[01:14:03] reflected in especially the sequencing
[01:14:07] of peace efforts and negotiations with
[01:14:10] the support of regional and
[01:14:12] international partners in the 1990s
[01:14:14] resulting in dialogues declaration and
[01:14:18] truses. Then the Bogenville peace
[01:14:20] agreement signed on the 30th day of
[01:14:22] August 2001
[01:14:25] part 14 of the constitution of the
[01:14:27] independent state of papu guini. the
[01:14:30] Bogenville Constitution, the conduct of
[01:14:32] the referendum, the consultations
[01:14:35] producing the sharp agreement, the
[01:14:37] Kokopo consultations, then the Wbeg road
[01:14:40] map followed by the Era covenant and the
[01:14:43] peace efforts and negotiations resulting
[01:14:46] in the most recent joint commitments and
[01:14:48] principles inside the Melanesian
[01:14:51] agreement signed by the prime minister
[01:14:52] and the president of the ABG on the 26th
[01:14:56] of June 2005
[01:14:58] 2020. 2025.
[01:15:03] Mr. Deputy Speaker, this report
[01:15:06] therefore provides Parliament with a
[01:15:08] balanced and comprehensive account of
[01:15:11] the views expressed by citizens during
[01:15:14] the consultation process.
[01:15:18] Its purpose is to support informed
[01:15:21] deliberation by this house as it
[01:15:25] considers matters arising from the
[01:15:27] Bogenville referendum.
[01:15:29] The perspectives captured in the report
[01:15:31] reflect both the aspirations and
[01:15:34] concerns expressed by citizens across
[01:15:37] the country. They highlight the
[01:15:39] complexity of the issues before
[01:15:41] parliament and undermine the importance
[01:15:44] underline the importance of careful
[01:15:47] responsible and inclusive decision
[01:15:50] making. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Deputy Speaker,
[01:15:54] I recognize that these complexities and
[01:15:58] the need for careful and responsible
[01:16:00] decision making are also being addressed
[01:16:04] through ongoing discussions between the
[01:16:06] government of Papu Nugini and the
[01:16:08] autonomous Bogenville government as well
[01:16:10] as through the engagement the national
[01:16:13] parliament and the Bogenville House of
[01:16:15] Representatives under the terms of the
[01:16:19] Melanian agreement alluded Two, the
[01:16:23] Melanesian agreement signed in June 2025
[01:16:27] encompasses a set of agreed joint
[01:16:30] commitments and agreed principles
[01:16:33] between Papo New Guinea and Bogenville,
[01:16:36] including maintaining a close peaceful
[01:16:39] and enduring relationship and the the
[01:16:42] co-design of a melanisian framework to
[01:16:46] guide the pathway forward. And in this
[01:16:49] regard, I would urge each and every
[01:16:51] member of parliament
[01:16:54] to carefully read the Melanian
[01:16:56] agreement.
[01:16:58] Mr. Deputy Speaker,
[01:17:01] the committee believes that these
[01:17:04] consultations have contributed to a
[01:17:06] broader national understanding of the
[01:17:09] issues surrounding Bogenville's
[01:17:11] political future.
[01:17:13] They demonstrate that Papua and New
[01:17:15] Guinians remain committed to resolving
[01:17:18] important national questions through
[01:17:20] peaceful dialogue and constitutional
[01:17:23] processes.
[01:17:25] In closing, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wish
[01:17:28] to acknowledge the members of the
[01:17:31] Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee on
[01:17:33] Bogenville Matters for their
[01:17:35] constructive and bipartisan engagement
[01:17:38] throughout this process.
[01:17:41] I also extend appreciation to the staff
[01:17:43] of the national parliament for their
[01:17:45] support and to all individuals and
[01:17:48] organizations
[01:17:51] throughout the country
[01:17:53] who participated in the consultations
[01:17:56] and provided written submissions.
[01:18:02] Mr. Deputy Speaker, their contributions
[01:18:05] demonstrate the strength of democratic
[01:18:08] engagement in our country and the shared
[01:18:11] commitment of Papu uninions to
[01:18:13] addressing difficult national questions
[01:18:16] through dialogue, consultation, and
[01:18:19] respect for constitutional principles.
[01:18:22] Mr. Deputy Speaker, I commend this
[01:18:25] report to Parliament. Thank you.
[01:18:31] the honorable member for Senator Yang. U
[01:18:34] Mr. Speaker,
[01:18:36] I would like to u ask for leave of
[01:18:39] parliament that to take note of this
[01:18:43] paper and to defer
[01:18:46] a request debate to a later date so that
[01:18:51] we can read this report. It's a very
[01:18:53] important report. We just received it.
[01:18:56] We don't want to speak off the cuff. So
[01:18:58] we want to read it, understand it
[01:19:00] carefully so we can make meaningful uh
[01:19:02] contributions to the important debate
[01:19:04] that's in our hands. So we ask for leave
[01:19:07] of parliament that debate be deferred to
[01:19:10] u maybe tomorrow or Thursday, Friday and
[01:19:17] we debate this uh meaningfully otherwise
[01:19:20] we'll do a rush job and
[01:19:23] it's a sensitive matter. Mr. Speaker,
[01:19:25] thank you.
[01:19:48] Um, honorable member for Senator Sangul
[01:19:51] on the advice I got. Uh, this debate now
[01:19:54] is before the parliament. Uh, there will
[01:19:57] be no question put to the end of this
[01:20:00] uh, uh, debate. it will be still open
[01:20:04] for uh debate agenda for the debate in
[01:20:08] the next uh coming day of session. So uh
[01:20:12] if you don't have any brief information
[01:20:14] of reading the papers there will be
[01:20:16] still time for you to read and get
[01:20:18] yourself familiar and uh uh debate will
[01:20:21] still continue for others too. So uh
[01:20:24] honorable member I will still allow the
[01:20:26] uh debate to go on the floor of
[01:20:28] parliament.
[01:20:30] the Minister for Bogenville Affairs.
[01:20:37] >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[01:20:45] Before I
[01:20:56] >> I move that uh parliament take note of
[01:20:58] the uh the statement the report
[01:21:01] presented by the uh chairman of uh
[01:21:04] bipartisan parliamentary commu committee
[01:21:07] and I'd like to uh debate
[01:21:12] >> minister.
[01:21:13] >> Thank you Mr. Speaker.
[01:21:23] I'd like to uh
[01:21:26] make a few uh uh offer a few debates in
[01:21:30] support of the statement and a report uh
[01:21:33] presented by the chairman of the uh
[01:21:38] bipartisan parliamentary committee on
[01:21:40] Bogenville.
[01:21:42] Honorable uh Dr. Alan Meritt,
[01:21:47] before I offer my debate in support of
[01:21:50] the statement and the report, um I'd
[01:21:53] like to take this moment to acknowledge
[01:21:56] um the vice president of uh
[01:22:00] Autonomous Bogenville
[01:22:03] government, Honorable Ezekiel Met, and
[01:22:06] the members of the ABG who are presented
[01:22:09] up in the gallery as well as other
[01:22:12] visitors.
[01:22:14] and in the house.
[01:22:25] As part of my uh debate in support of
[01:22:27] the statement that I report given, I
[01:22:30] wish to offer a short update
[01:22:36] on the national government and the ABG's
[01:22:38] uh
[01:22:40] work on the ongoing uh Bogenville peace
[01:22:43] process. Uh before I do that,
[01:22:47] I'd like to offer a brief uh comment on
[01:22:50] the statement
[01:22:53] uh presented by the chairman of the
[01:22:56] parliamentary committee, honorable Dr.
[01:22:58] Mer.
[01:23:02] I want to offer my sincere accommodation
[01:23:05] to the do this important work done by
[01:23:07] the uh parliamentary committee.
[01:23:13] Uh this report is very important.
[01:23:25] The Boneville issues is the single most
[01:23:28] important uh issue that's uh facing our
[01:23:31] country at a moment.
[01:23:35] We must we must understand that uh at
[01:23:38] this point in time,
[01:23:44] we as leaders
[01:23:47] are placed in a very significant point
[01:23:50] in time in the history of our country to
[01:23:53] decide on the future political
[01:23:55] settlement of Bogenville
[01:23:58] and at the same time
[01:24:01] save the course of our country going
[01:24:04] forward. for it.
[01:24:11] The referendum result that is before us
[01:24:16] is part of the ongoing uh Bogenville
[01:24:18] peace process. Uh we must understand
[01:24:21] that uh three main pillars in the
[01:24:23] Bogenville the long-standing Bogenville
[01:24:25] peace process.
[01:24:27] We are now at the
[01:24:30] at the close of the last process of the
[01:24:33] Bogenville peace process.
[01:24:35] The phase process
[01:24:38] was autonomy
[01:24:42] which was completed by the establishment
[01:24:44] of the autonomous Bogenville government
[01:24:46] which is which has been in existence for
[01:24:48] over 20 years now.
[01:24:50] The second process
[01:24:54] was uh the weapons disposal program that
[01:24:58] was uh completed. And the third and the
[01:24:59] last process is the referendum process
[01:25:02] which we are
[01:25:07] close to
[01:25:09] coming to a conclusion of the referendum
[01:25:12] process.
[01:25:24] I must uh emphasize at this juncture the
[01:25:27] importance of the
[01:25:30] the work of the parliamentary committee.
[01:25:32] This report is very important and I
[01:25:35] would urge all members of parliament to
[01:25:36] take your time and go through and have a
[01:25:39] read of it.
[01:25:40] The reason why I say the work of the
[01:25:43] bipartisan parliamentary committee is
[01:25:45] very important and this report is
[01:25:46] important. We must understand that in
[01:25:49] this last process under the Bogenville
[01:25:52] peace agreement and the the constitution
[01:25:55] in particular
[01:25:56] part 14 of the constitution.
[01:26:02] The referendum for Bogenville
[01:26:05] was sanctioned by our constitution and
[01:26:08] Malawya.
[01:26:10] The the constitution allowed
[01:26:13] We must understand that the the
[01:26:15] constitution
[01:26:17] only allowed for the referendum
[01:26:21] to be had
[01:26:23] for the people of Bogenville only.
[01:26:29] If you read the constitution uh division
[01:26:32] seven of the part 14
[01:26:34] and the bogenville peace agreement,
[01:26:40] the referendum was only allowed to be
[01:26:42] had
[01:26:44] by the people of Bogenville.
[01:26:48] The constitution the rest of the country
[01:26:52] have referendum desired
[01:26:55] political settlement
[01:26:59] peace agreement
[01:27:01] constitution allowing people
[01:27:07] settlement
[01:27:13] and that is the reason why the work of
[01:27:15] the parliamentary committee I'm
[01:27:16] important Because the purpose of the
[01:27:19] work of the parliamentary committee and
[01:27:21] blow go around all over the country
[01:27:24] location view people because the the
[01:27:27] rest of the country
[01:27:29] did not have a referendum to have a
[01:27:31] share on the future of Bogenville
[01:27:39] one settlement political settlement.
[01:27:43] That is why
[01:27:49] parliamentary committee members
[01:27:55] view people only one long referendum
[01:27:58] result where Mr. where 97.97
[01:28:04] in favor independence boenville
[01:28:09] something
[01:28:11] decision independence
[01:28:14] bogenville
[01:28:17] this is very important
[01:28:20] that is why
[01:28:24] parliamentary committee all around
[01:28:28] country people Because all people
[01:28:32] country
[01:28:35] have referendum have a say. It was only
[01:28:38] allowed to the people of Bogenville.
[01:28:40] But under the same constitution of
[01:28:42] section 34
[01:28:44] 342
[01:28:47] because of this law
[01:28:53] this referend
[01:28:56] the national parliament
[01:28:58] leaders representing the rest of the
[01:29:01] country
[01:29:02] to make a final decision.
[01:29:06] That is why you got the leaders stop 11
[01:29:10] parliament. We are now placed in a very
[01:29:13] important period in the history of our
[01:29:16] country
[01:29:17] to make a very critical decision
[01:29:20] settle
[01:29:22] political future belong boenville where
[01:29:25] people yet only express in referendum
[01:29:29] and sanctioned by the constitution
[01:29:31] itself.
[01:29:32] And you must also know that while you
[01:29:35] make that decision,
[01:29:37] you are also reshaping the cost of the
[01:29:39] country as we know it. And that is a
[01:29:42] critical decision. That's not an easy
[01:29:43] decision to make. That's why I encourage
[01:29:45] all members of parliament to take time
[01:29:48] to read
[01:29:51] the communist report
[01:29:54] that was presented.
[01:29:57] Uh with that uh I am going to give a
[01:29:59] short update on the process that the
[01:30:01] government has undertaken
[01:30:03] in consultation with ABG to bring the
[01:30:06] referendum result into parliament for
[01:30:10] this parliament to make a final
[01:30:12] decision.
[01:30:17] I must also advise the house that uh the
[01:30:20] process
[01:30:22] that is to be established to bring the
[01:30:24] referendum result into parliament for
[01:30:25] that decision to be taken is ready. Now
[01:30:27] I must inform that uh I am in receipt of
[01:30:31] the uh uh sessional order which is the
[01:30:34] process that the parliament will adopt
[01:30:36] to make that decision.
[01:30:40] I am in receipt of the draft session
[01:30:42] order uh forwarded by the speaker
[01:30:51] and that sessional order will be uh
[01:30:55] will be presented here
[01:30:58] once it's cleared by the NC to be
[01:31:02] presented.
[01:31:07] Mr. Speaker,
[01:31:12] I now would like to provide a brief
[01:31:14] update to this honorable house on the
[01:31:16] progress
[01:31:18] of the Bogenville peace process and the
[01:31:20] preparations that is attended for the
[01:31:21] next stage of parliamentary uh
[01:31:24] consideration.
[01:31:26] Ed, once again I acknowledge and then
[01:31:29] and thank the uh chairman of the
[01:31:32] parliamentary committee
[01:31:35] honorable Mar for presenting the
[01:31:37] communist report on its regional
[01:31:39] consultations conducted throughout Papen
[01:31:40] Guini and Bogenville. The committee's
[01:31:43] work has made an important contribution
[01:31:46] to
[01:31:47] raising awareness, fostering informed
[01:31:50] discussion and gathering the views of
[01:31:52] Papinians on one of the most significant
[01:31:55] national issue before us. Mr. Speaker,
[01:31:58] since the signing of the melanation
[01:32:00] agreement in June 2025,
[01:32:04] the national government and the
[01:32:05] autonomous Bokenville government have
[01:32:08] continued to engage constructively
[01:32:09] through the joint moderation
[01:32:11] consultation process.
[01:32:13] These discussions have focused on the
[01:32:16] development of a mutually agreed
[01:32:19] melanation framework which remains one
[01:32:20] of the most important pieces of work
[01:32:22] currently underway between the two
[01:32:25] governments, the national government and
[01:32:26] ABJ.
[01:32:32] The purpose of the melanination
[01:32:34] framework is to provide a structured and
[01:32:36] a practical road map to guide future
[01:32:38] relations between Paponi and Bogenville.
[01:32:41] It is intended to identify the key
[01:32:43] political, constitutional governance,
[01:32:46] governance, economic and fiscal issues
[01:32:48] that would need to be addressed under
[01:32:50] any future political settlement while
[01:32:53] ensuring that peace, stability and all
[01:32:55] implementation remain at the center of
[01:32:57] the process.
[01:33:00] The the melanation framework reflects a
[01:33:02] melanation approach to dialogue,
[01:33:04] consensus building and reconciliation,
[01:33:07] recognizing the importance of
[01:33:08] maintaining peaceful and cooperative
[01:33:11] relations between Papini and Bogenville
[01:33:13] regardless of the ultimate
[01:33:16] constitutional outcome. It seeks to
[01:33:18] provide a pathway that is respectful of
[01:33:20] the aspirations of the people of
[01:33:22] Bogenville while safeguarding the
[01:33:23] broader interest of all Papainians.
[01:33:26] The framework is currently considering a
[01:33:28] range of methods including governance
[01:33:31] and institutional arrangements that the
[01:33:33] progressive transfer of powers and
[01:33:35] functions, physical and economic uh
[01:33:37] sustainability, citizenship,
[01:33:40] nationality, nationality issues,
[01:33:41] constitutional and legislative
[01:33:43] requirements, transitional arrangements
[01:33:46] and other practical methods that may be
[01:33:48] required to support the implementation
[01:33:50] of any future settlement agreed by the
[01:33:53] parties and considered by parliament.
[01:33:55] Importantly, the framework is not
[01:33:58] intended to predetermine any decision of
[01:34:02] parliament.
[01:34:04] Rather, it is being developed to assist
[01:34:07] members of this house by providing
[01:34:09] greater clarity regarding the
[01:34:10] implications, opportunities,
[01:34:13] challenges, and implementations
[01:34:14] requirements that may arise from future
[01:34:17] decisions concerning Bogenville's
[01:34:20] political future. Discussions on the
[01:34:21] framework have been progressing in a
[01:34:23] constructive and respectful manner and
[01:34:26] officers from both governments continue
[01:34:28] to work together to identify areas of
[01:34:32] common understanding and agreement.
[01:34:34] While some methods remain the subject of
[01:34:36] ongoing consultation,
[01:34:39] I am encouraged by the progress that has
[01:34:42] been made to date. Work is also
[01:34:44] continuing on the joint consultation
[01:34:46] report which will be which will bring
[01:34:49] together the outcome of the
[01:34:51] postreferenderum consultations
[01:34:53] undertaken since 2019.
[01:34:55] The report will provide parliament with
[01:34:57] a comprehensive record of discussions
[01:34:59] between the national government and the
[01:35:02] autonomous Bogenville government
[01:35:05] and is intended to incorporate the
[01:35:07] progress achieved through the joint
[01:35:10] moderated consultations and development
[01:35:12] of the Melanian framework.
[01:35:16] While important progress has been made,
[01:35:18] a number of matters remain under active
[01:35:20] consideration by government.
[01:35:23] This include the ongoing development of
[01:35:25] melanination framework, finalization of
[01:35:27] the joint consultation report and
[01:35:30] consideration of the legal
[01:35:31] constitutional and procedural pathways
[01:35:34] available to government and parliament
[01:35:36] in relation to boenville referendum
[01:35:37] process. Accordingly, the National
[01:35:40] Executive Council will meet prior to the
[01:35:43] next sitting week to consider these
[01:35:46] matters and provide direction on the
[01:35:48] appropriate way forward
[01:35:52] for the referendum result to be brought
[01:35:54] into the house.
[01:35:58] I therefore intend to return to this
[01:36:00] house next week to make a more
[01:36:02] comprehensive statement on the
[01:36:03] Bogenville peace process
[01:36:05] including an update on the outcomes of
[01:36:07] the national auxiliary council's
[01:36:10] deliberations progress on the melanation
[01:36:12] framework and the joint consultation
[01:36:14] report and the next steps arising from
[01:36:17] government's consideration of the
[01:36:19] available constitutional and
[01:36:21] parliamentary process.
[01:36:24] Mr. Speaker,
[01:36:26] the government remains committed to
[01:36:28] ensuring this process this process
[01:36:30] proceeds in a lawful, orderly, and
[01:36:32] peaceful manner consistent with the
[01:36:34] Bogenville peace agreement, the
[01:36:36] constitution, and our shared commitment
[01:36:40] to lasting peace, national unity, and
[01:36:43] stability.
[01:36:48] With that, uh, I thank the House, Mr.
[01:36:51] Speaker.
[01:36:55] the honorable uh governor for East.
[01:36:59] >> Uh thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker and I'd
[01:37:01] like to acknowledge the leaders of uh
[01:37:04] the autonomous region of Bogenville who
[01:37:06] are present in the house with us today.
[01:37:10] Uh Mr. Deputy Speaker seriousness issue
[01:37:16] by debate agree also and by taking some
[01:37:20] time I mean for us leaders to be
[01:37:24] uh fully
[01:37:26] I guess understanding of the
[01:37:27] consequences of whatever decisions that
[01:37:29] are eventually taken. I want to say that
[01:37:31] I'm thankful to the minister that uh we
[01:37:34] will not be dealing with the sessional
[01:37:36] order today
[01:37:38] and in that regard I I want to speak to
[01:37:40] the uh people of the autonomous region
[01:37:42] of Bogenville by saying that
[01:37:46] plenty of people
[01:37:48] grieven
[01:37:50] and I I would like the people of
[01:37:52] Bogenville to understand that there are
[01:37:53] many papinians who feel
[01:37:57] uh hard done by under oppressive
[01:37:59] successive oppressive governments
[01:38:02] at the central level. And so
[01:38:05] got plenty old papinians where by one
[01:38:08] bill
[01:38:10] heavy.
[01:38:12] At the same time too, I think there are
[01:38:13] many papinians
[01:38:15] who at the same time
[01:38:19] would not like to see the people of
[01:38:21] Bogenville leave the union of Papa
[01:38:24] Nigini. And I think those are the
[01:38:26] difficult questions that I think this
[01:38:28] house will have to confront at some
[01:38:29] point.
[01:38:31] Mr. Speaker,
[01:38:33] me feel qualify
[01:38:36] as a member of parliament to give my own
[01:38:38] opinion on whether the Bogen villian
[01:38:40] should stay or go even though my own
[01:38:43] opinions are strongly
[01:38:45] leaning one way as this house have had
[01:38:48] me speak on many occasions.
[01:38:51] So what we have done in Civic Mr.
[01:38:53] speaker is to I have asked all my local
[01:38:56] level government uh presidents to
[01:39:00] conduct their own hearings in all of the
[01:39:02] 28 local level governments of ECPIC
[01:39:05] province
[01:39:07] and to bring
[01:39:10] the result of those discussions with our
[01:39:13] people of ECip to the provincial
[01:39:15] assembly
[01:39:17] so that we can discuss it there and then
[01:39:20] we can have a fair
[01:39:24] decision on where the people of ECB are
[01:39:27] leaning on this issue and when that
[01:39:30] happens sir
[01:39:32] Mr. Speaker,
[01:39:34] I will then present that result on the
[01:39:36] floor which I think would be a fair way
[01:39:39] of gauging where the people of ECP stand
[01:39:42] on this matter. taking into
[01:39:44] consideration the fact that uh there was
[01:39:47] a high level delegation from the
[01:39:50] autonomous region of Bogenville
[01:39:51] including the honorable president is
[01:39:54] Toroama
[01:39:55] who visited the province and paid their
[01:39:58] respects to the founding father the
[01:39:59] grand chief uh the right honorable sir
[01:40:02] Michael Thomas Somare
[01:40:04] and they had their own conversations uh
[01:40:08] with the grand chief uh at his resting
[01:40:11] place. So Mr. speaker. Uh in
[01:40:15] consideration of all of that, uh me like
[01:40:17] to while we thank the committee for the
[01:40:21] work it has done and for bringing the
[01:40:24] report here today uh for us to study and
[01:40:29] I also thank the minister responsible
[01:40:31] for informing the house that the
[01:40:34] sessional order will come later.
[01:40:36] The request I'd like to make uh of the
[01:40:38] of the government through you as the
[01:40:40] chair, Mr. speaker is that a proper
[01:40:43] timetable be drawn up for all of these
[01:40:46] uh subsequent matters to take place so
[01:40:49] that member of parliament we can be
[01:40:52] better informed as to and I I suppose
[01:40:55] also the people of the autonomous region
[01:40:57] of Boenville and their leaders can be
[01:40:59] properly informed as to what is going to
[01:41:02] take place. I mean, for myself in the
[01:41:04] opposition, I only found out last week
[01:41:09] that this report would be presented
[01:41:12] and I had no idea it would be presented
[01:41:14] today, Mr. Speaker.
[01:41:16] So
[01:41:24] I think is unbecoming of leaders
[01:41:26] especially for a conversation that is
[01:41:29] this important and this critical not
[01:41:31] just to the people of Bogenville but to
[01:41:33] the country. So me like requesting
[01:41:36] through you Mr. Speaker Mr. Deputy
[01:41:38] Speaker, that a timetable on all of
[01:41:42] these matters on when they're going to
[01:41:44] be discussed, when is the sessional
[01:41:46] order coming be prepared and given to
[01:41:49] all of us, Mr. Speaker. So, one final
[01:41:53] asking me
[01:41:55] thank you. You giving me this
[01:41:56] opportunity.
[01:42:00] Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
[01:42:04] the honorable uh governor of the
[01:42:06] southern highlands
[01:42:09] >> Mr. Deputy Speaker, me too like
[01:42:16] leaders boenville
[01:42:19] parliament debate long this important
[01:42:23] report where chairman gim but I uh speak
[01:42:28] my mind similar to
[01:42:32] uh parliament
[01:42:34] and honorable members of parliament
[01:42:36] having full understanding of the issues
[01:42:41] surrounding Borgenville because uh as we
[01:42:45] all know Mr. Deputy Speaker, Bogenville
[01:42:48] is singly the most important matter
[01:42:51] facing this country today.
[01:42:58] Members
[01:43:00] members during our consultation
[01:43:06] participate debate. It's a very
[01:43:09] important matter. You need to be
[01:43:10] present. It's not about being absent.
[01:43:14] It's not about upstanding.
[01:43:18] It is a important matter facing the
[01:43:20] country today.
[01:43:23] Uh on that note, me like uh commending
[01:43:27] chairman
[01:43:29] on a very good report and
[01:43:32] consultation with Yumi Wim.
[01:43:35] Also on this note, I want to commend the
[01:43:39] minister
[01:43:42] as
[01:43:44] you know, young and capable, energetic,
[01:43:48] but it's being handled very well in a
[01:43:51] very mature way. You would all agree
[01:43:53] with me. The minister has, in my view,
[01:43:58] competently,
[01:44:00] professionally dealt with
[01:44:03] one of PNG's sensitive and very
[01:44:06] important matter. So, I commend the
[01:44:08] minister
[01:44:10] for dealing with this. thus far
[01:44:16] uh among others if you can relate to
[01:44:20] read the Melanian agreement.
[01:44:24] This Melanian agreement among others it
[01:44:27] talks about one of these uh provisions.
[01:44:32] It says the parties are committed to
[01:44:35] maintaining a close, peaceful and
[01:44:39] enduring
[01:44:41] relationship between PNG and Bogenville.
[01:44:44] This must be respected and upholded by
[01:44:48] both ABG and the national government.
[01:44:52] This is a fundamental matter. ABG and
[01:44:56] the national government must set the
[01:44:59] pathway
[01:45:02] for parliament to reach a peaceful
[01:45:05] agreement
[01:45:06] on where we will head
[01:45:09] the future of this settlement.
[01:45:13] Uh Austin, I'm not afraid to say this,
[01:45:16] but in the social media, the president
[01:45:20] is saying at some stage some months ago
[01:45:27] consider him independence September
[01:45:30] declared him independence.
[01:45:33] You know, responsible governments,
[01:45:34] responsible leaders, we should not be
[01:45:36] holding each other at ransom.
[01:45:41] Even
[01:45:46] the Panguled government
[01:45:49] as government must provide the framework
[01:45:53] as to where we want to go
[01:45:57] for the future of this country.
[01:46:01] Well, think again. who whichever
[01:46:04] government has conducted a full
[01:46:06] assessment
[01:46:08] audit of all the money that has been
[01:46:10] spent in Bogenville for autonomous
[01:46:14] government.
[01:46:17] Whether the autonomous transfer of
[01:46:18] powers has been fully implemented,
[01:46:22] whether the gun surrender has been fully
[01:46:24] surrendered
[01:46:28] and now the referendum results that we
[01:46:30] want to bring into parliamentary
[01:46:32] sessional order. So we need a assessment
[01:46:36] direct assessment from government to
[01:46:39] determine how well have we s succeeded
[01:46:42] including failures and also strengths in
[01:46:48] implementing the autonomous government
[01:46:52] you know activities that we have had
[01:46:54] over the past years. We need to know as
[01:46:57] a country have we done well in
[01:46:58] implementing the autonomy
[01:47:02] How much money go? What about district
[01:47:04] capacities? What about revenue uh
[01:47:07] generating capacities? What about
[01:47:09] implementation capacities at the
[01:47:11] districts at the provincial level? And
[01:47:13] of course all this.
[01:47:17] So we can appreciate
[01:47:19] that the peace agreement pillars of
[01:47:22] transfer of the functions the gun
[01:47:25] surrender and now bringing the
[01:47:28] referendum results to parliament.
[01:47:34] Maybe I'll also contribute in my debate
[01:47:37] as to what is critical for me. But for
[01:47:42] now
[01:47:43] I think we should point ABG and we
[01:47:48] should point to national government for
[01:47:51] the agreed pathway peaceful pathway that
[01:47:56] will bring peace to both the autonomous
[01:48:00] region and the independent state of PNG.
[01:48:03] What is the framework?
[01:48:05] What timelines?
[01:48:09] So that's my view of how we should deal
[01:48:14] with the referendum results. Let's not
[01:48:16] be scamming and fearing this. We can
[01:48:18] deal with this referendum results that
[01:48:23] is uh
[01:48:25] challenging the the people of Bogenville
[01:48:28] and also to parliament and PNG as a
[01:48:32] whole. So I want to encourage I want to
[01:48:34] encourage the members of parliament to
[01:48:38] read and understand this thing get out
[01:48:41] of this fear scaming thing in our mind
[01:48:45] appreciate the issues and parliament can
[01:48:48] deal with it in terms of the way forward
[01:48:50] for this country. So I concur with the
[01:48:54] honorable Kangakua and Dr. and bed
[01:48:57] reading this world information
[01:48:59] understanding good now where are we
[01:49:01] going in terms of the future so it's an
[01:49:04] important matter for this country to
[01:49:05] debate and you know provide the support
[01:49:08] to government as to what would be
[01:49:11] important for both Bogenville and and
[01:49:14] Papuini so on this note you may not hold
[01:49:17] him the governor of PNG or the uh
[01:49:21] president uh people of Bogenville should
[01:49:23] not hold each other at ransom because
[01:49:26] it's a very important matter for this
[01:49:27] country and I want to encourage the
[01:49:30] leaders of this country to take this
[01:49:33] thing openly and understand the issues
[01:49:35] and let's debate as our people are
[01:49:37] watching. Thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker.
[01:49:40] >> Governor for NC City. Uh thank you
[01:49:44] deputy speaker to give me a privilege to
[01:49:48] contribute to this uh very important uh
[01:49:51] discussion
[01:49:52] uh and um debate.
[01:49:57] I want to uh firstly acknowledge uh
[01:50:00] other leaders from ABG who are here with
[01:50:02] us to uh hear our our views on this uh
[01:50:06] very important uh discussion that uh
[01:50:10] will define both our own journey as the
[01:50:14] rest of Papa and also for our people of
[01:50:17] Bogenville. I want to acknowledge too
[01:50:19] Mr. Deputy speaker, all the speakers who
[01:50:21] have spoken uh ahead of me very
[01:50:24] important uh contribution and points
[01:50:27] that they they've raised. I want to
[01:50:29] acknowledge to last week our two leaders
[01:50:31] from Bogenville equally of PNG2
[01:50:34] uh leader of government business,
[01:50:35] Minister for Works and um highway uh
[01:50:40] really giving us a very um
[01:50:43] contextualized uh you know uh debate on
[01:50:48] how we can think about this very
[01:50:50] important issue
[01:50:52] uh defining the future of Bogenville
[01:50:55] which will equally define our own
[01:50:57] journey.
[01:50:58] as a nation. It's a people and equally
[01:51:01] member for uh North Bogenville uh
[01:51:04] honorable Samoso
[01:51:07] our sister and
[01:51:09] you know leader in in her own right
[01:51:11] representative uh representing our
[01:51:13] people of North Bogenville giving a very
[01:51:16] uh compassionate or passionate you know
[01:51:19] uh appeal to all of us to uh use our
[01:51:23] wisdom. Think about Bogenville, think
[01:51:25] about PNGs,
[01:51:27] think about the past, think about
[01:51:28] present and the future.
[01:51:31] So uh Mr. Deputy Speaker, I can see that
[01:51:33] uh members of parliament, we are perhaps
[01:51:36] a bit hesitant or want to be given a bit
[01:51:39] more time and that's understandable.
[01:51:42] This as we have uh all acknowledged is a
[01:51:44] very sensitive uh
[01:51:47] you know subject matter. We are very
[01:51:50] passionate about our country papiri. our
[01:51:53] journey for the 50 years
[01:51:55] uh how we get emerged together Mr.
[01:51:58] Deputy Speaker, it's not easy and you
[01:52:02] know the future of our country will it
[01:52:05] remain intact or will this uh act of
[01:52:09] releasing Bogenville go if we go that
[01:52:11] way will uh have a domino effect of
[01:52:15] so uh this really you know emotions and
[01:52:20] uh mind you know things that are going
[01:52:22] through our minds that we must
[01:52:24] acknowledge but nevertheless Mr. Deputy
[01:52:26] Speaker and members of parliament,
[01:52:30] we are leaders. We are elected by our
[01:52:33] people.
[01:52:35] We must see this as a privilege and
[01:52:38] opportunity.
[01:52:39] It's a great privilege to be here in
[01:52:41] parliament and even even greater to be
[01:52:46] contributing to a will define
[01:52:50] the future of our nation and our people.
[01:52:53] So we should uh embrace this opportunity
[01:52:57] of course with all the challenges and
[01:52:59] all the fears
[01:53:01] all the emotions
[01:53:03] but equally thinking about our people of
[01:53:05] Bogenville.
[01:53:07] What would be they thinking about and
[01:53:09] what is in their mind and how we can
[01:53:11] contribute to a better future a greater
[01:53:14] future for all our people and for the
[01:53:17] people of Bogenville and you know
[01:53:20] thinking about the past Mr. Mr. Deputy
[01:53:22] Speaker,
[01:53:24] the past full of pain and agony,
[01:53:29] loss of life.
[01:53:31] People have, you know, witness
[01:53:34] tragedies in their life
[01:53:38] both for Bogenville and
[01:53:41] other publicans, our fellow citizens
[01:53:44] too.
[01:53:46] We have achieved a great
[01:53:48] unprecedented u outcome since then in
[01:53:51] 2001. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we should be
[01:53:54] proud of it. It's uh you know a outcome
[01:53:59] that u is unprecedented in the world.
[01:54:02] Mr. Deputy Speaker, we've achieved peace
[01:54:06] and we have respected the peace fully.
[01:54:09] That is exceptional
[01:54:11] and we should be proud of it and we
[01:54:14] should take courage from it that for the
[01:54:16] future we can define it so that
[01:54:20] it becomes exceptional to the world too.
[01:54:23] Something that is exceptional to the
[01:54:25] world. I believe we can do it and the
[01:54:28] spirit is there in the melanisian
[01:54:30] agreement and in all the dialogues that
[01:54:33] is been taking place and in the peace
[01:54:37] that we have maintained up to now Mr.
[01:54:39] Deputy Speaker. So while we are hesitant
[01:54:43] and you know thinking a lot I think Mr.
[01:54:47] Deputy Speaker too we should uh
[01:54:50] have courage and seize this opportunity
[01:54:53] too.
[01:54:55] Mr. Mr. Deputy Speaker and uh honorable
[01:54:57] members, we have the benefits of
[01:54:59] hindsight
[01:55:01] 50 years trying to forge and put this
[01:55:04] nation together.
[01:55:06] Our leaders grand chief and his uh peers
[01:55:10] at that time in 1968
[01:55:12] and um early '7s they had all the same
[01:55:16] sort of thought process going into their
[01:55:18] mind.
[01:55:20] Will this uh union or project work
[01:55:21] called papa nugo?
[01:55:23] Will all our people agree to come
[01:55:25] together as one nation, one people, one
[01:55:27] country? Some of the leaders at the time
[01:55:30] were not ready. They had doubts. They
[01:55:33] probably hesitant to.
[01:55:37] But through leadership, grand chief and
[01:55:40] his uh colleagues in Pangu, they were
[01:55:43] able to craft this nation together.
[01:55:46] And it's not it's not never been easy.
[01:55:49] It's not easy to keep it as one nation,
[01:55:52] one people, one country. But we have
[01:55:55] come 50 years and we must recognize
[01:55:58] that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as we think
[01:56:01] about the referendum coming for us for
[01:56:05] ratification or whatever decision that
[01:56:08] we make.
[01:56:10] It is this parliament that must make
[01:56:12] this decision. We cannot defer it to the
[01:56:15] next parliament, the 12th parliament.
[01:56:17] We are given this opportunity.
[01:56:20] But Mr. Deputy Speaker, honorable
[01:56:22] members, our people too are listening.
[01:56:26] Building nations is not easy
[01:56:30] and it's never perfect
[01:56:32] and it's never completed to. You see the
[01:56:37] one of the early union out there called
[01:56:40] United Kingdom.
[01:56:42] It's not perfect and it's still going
[01:56:45] through processes and challenges. Even
[01:56:48] Scotland had a referendum to leave the
[01:56:51] union.
[01:56:53] So all this nation building exercise
[01:57:00] and for us in Papa 1,000 tribes 860
[01:57:04] languages so many cultures and tradition
[01:57:06] and kind it's not
[01:57:11] was not
[01:57:12] going to be easy from the beginning
[01:57:16] but we have held it together for 50
[01:57:19] years
[01:57:22] and in this process the ideal was that
[01:57:24] we'll keep it together but that's the
[01:57:27] ideal
[01:57:29] so wanted it to be together Albert
[01:57:32] Mukiki and everybody wanted Thomas
[01:57:34] Kavali wanted it to be to together but
[01:57:39] some things maybe we will have control
[01:57:41] of it might not have control of it, Mr.
[01:57:43] Deputy Speaker. And that's where we are
[01:57:45] now.
[01:57:48] So, we've got all this emotion with our
[01:57:51] country blending it together. 1,000
[01:57:54] tribes, 860 languages, we've come 50
[01:57:57] years.
[01:58:00] We can still keep it together. What if
[01:58:02] Bogenville goes by?
[01:58:06] So I want to acknowledge uh my brother
[01:58:09] governor of southern islands and to
[01:58:11] human fred and I want to encourage us to
[01:58:15] not to be afraid of the future as I said
[01:58:18] Mr. Deputy speak speaker in the nation
[01:58:20] too. You you look and look at one of the
[01:58:24] maybe if we say I'm not sure it's
[01:58:27] perfect but the people's republic of
[01:58:29] China
[01:58:32] communist system. Yeah.
[01:58:35] It's a bit like authoritarian or kosm
[01:58:38] one party one government but still they
[01:58:41] are still going through the same
[01:58:42] process. Taiwan Goya
[01:58:45] it emerged out of that 194746
[01:58:49] you know
[01:58:51] civil war so one party succeeded
[01:58:55] people's republic of China come up all
[01:58:57] this line all loose all go Taiwan and
[01:59:00] they want to be a different country so
[01:59:02] even in China they still going through
[01:59:04] the agony of making their country become
[01:59:07] real by China and Taiwan it comeo
[01:59:11] okay Hong Kong come back
[01:59:14] But Taiwan is still insisting that it
[01:59:16] want to be separate. So it's not
[01:59:18] something unique to us.
[01:59:22] Honorable leaders,
[01:59:24] it's not something unique to us. So that
[01:59:26] you mean by fret,
[01:59:28] we should think about how we can define
[01:59:32] the future like Somalia and his
[01:59:35] colleagues in 1968 and 1970s
[01:59:39] coming to 75. They're thinking about
[01:59:42] this nation. Can we bring it together as
[01:59:46] one, one nation?
[01:59:48] And they didn't,
[01:59:50] you know, have everybody's agreement at
[01:59:54] that time.
[01:59:56] Papa region wants to go and become the
[01:59:58] seventh state of Australia.
[02:00:02] while I go but with leadership and
[02:00:05] reaching out using Malaian system he was
[02:00:09] able to bring everybody together and I
[02:00:12] think we are at that you know time too
[02:00:16] that we must think about how we can
[02:00:19] shape this and so the most important
[02:00:21] thing Mr. Deputy Speaker and honorable
[02:00:24] members is to think about making the
[02:00:26] future better than the past.
[02:00:30] That's what we should be addressing our
[02:00:32] mind to. I would like to appeal to
[02:00:34] everyone.
[02:00:35] So on this note, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I
[02:00:37] want to commend the chairman Dr. Marat
[02:00:40] member for Rabbal and his committee.
[02:00:42] Um it's an important exercise to go out
[02:00:45] and get the views of our people.
[02:00:47] Governor of East is uh undergoing a
[02:00:50] process to to consult our people in his
[02:00:53] civic which we should encourage.
[02:00:56] think all our leaders to all of us peace
[02:00:58] if we want to go the way uh governor of
[02:01:00] his district want to do too it would be
[02:01:03] good but the the uh committee has in
[02:01:07] this report has given us a strong
[02:01:09] direction from our people and I just
[02:01:12] want to repeat some of it that how we go
[02:01:15] forward thinking uh thinking about the
[02:01:18] ratification of the uh referendum result
[02:01:22] uh 97%
[02:01:24] first Mr. uh Deputy Speaker, our people
[02:01:28] says that uh whatever we do,
[02:01:32] we the important we must maintain
[02:01:36] uh importance of maintaining peace and
[02:01:38] stability.
[02:01:40] This the first important point. So
[02:01:42] whatever we do between national
[02:01:45] government, us as parliament and uh our
[02:01:48] people in ABG, people of Bogenville, we
[02:01:51] maintain peace and stability and I think
[02:01:53] we are committed to that.
[02:01:55] I can see there's goodwill in the
[02:01:57] leadership in IBG. President uh Toama is
[02:02:01] uh committed to that. He has shown it
[02:02:04] and there's good will and um the their
[02:02:07] commitment to u peace by peaceful means.
[02:02:12] I think it's an indication of that and
[02:02:14] we can have courage and confidence in
[02:02:16] that in that regard. Secondly, the
[02:02:19] committee says that uh there must be
[02:02:23] um
[02:02:25] importance of constitutional process. So
[02:02:28] our people are indicating to us Mr.
[02:02:30] Deputy Speaker that as long as we are in
[02:02:32] the constitution.
[02:02:34] So I want to remind us in this respect
[02:02:36] that the constitution in 2001 it was
[02:02:39] amended by the ABG agreement, the peace
[02:02:42] agreement.
[02:02:44] So when we are addressing this, we must
[02:02:47] explain to our people that the original
[02:02:49] constitution adopted in 1974 when time
[02:02:53] and uh become a formality in 1975
[02:02:58] and the ABG agreement resulting in the
[02:03:01] amendment to the constitution. So as
[02:03:04] long as we are in that framework because
[02:03:06] our people are indicating that it's
[02:03:08] important to maintain the you know
[02:03:12] constitutional process and as long as
[02:03:14] things are done within the
[02:03:15] constitutional process and by your right
[02:03:18] so I think we are doing it now and we
[02:03:21] should commend ourselves too uh Mr.
[02:03:24] Deputy Speaker, leaders past and present
[02:03:27] since 2001. We have honored also the
[02:03:31] people of uh Bogenville the leadership
[02:03:33] there. We have all honored the spirit of
[02:03:36] the agreement, the constitution both in
[02:03:39] terms of the original constitution and
[02:03:41] the amendment that was brought in by the
[02:03:43] peace agreement. We have honored it and
[02:03:47] um as I said it's uh unprecedented in
[02:03:50] the world not blah blah world only
[02:03:52] signing peace agreement tomorrow will
[02:03:55] breaching but we
[02:03:58] with our people in Bogenville we have
[02:04:00] shown greatest exception unprecedented
[02:04:04] and it's we should be commended for this
[02:04:07] and we should Mr. Deputy Speaker take
[02:04:10] courage from that to assure ourel that
[02:04:14] whatever decision we make it will be a
[02:04:18] good decision. It will be a decision
[02:04:20] that everybody will agree to. I believe
[02:04:23] I would like us to believe.
[02:04:26] I think that consideration the
[02:04:28] committees uh you know um reminding us
[02:04:31] from our people in the you know
[02:04:33] consultation around the country uh
[02:04:37] highlight the need for careful planning
[02:04:38] in considering the future arrangements.
[02:04:41] So our people have given us the clear
[02:04:44] guide guidelines already the important
[02:04:47] consideration and I can see that the
[02:04:50] speed of that you know pointers or
[02:04:53] values are already exist in this 20
[02:04:56] years that we have going been going
[02:04:58] through this peace process. So I would
[02:05:01] like to encourage us to think about it
[02:05:04] that way and have the courage to make
[02:05:06] the decision so that uh minister for
[02:05:09] boenville affairs can bring the you know
[02:05:13] result of the referendum to parliament
[02:05:16] and we can uh debate it and if we need
[02:05:18] to vote we should vote and I I'm
[02:05:22] confident that whether we vote to allow
[02:05:24] them for full independence
[02:05:26] not go there will be a process they
[02:05:29] might agree to say okay uh parliament
[02:05:33] has ratified but we will allow maybe 15
[02:05:35] years or 20 years or all by can go and
[02:05:39] everything will be good or if we decide
[02:05:41] that the we won't ratify it we want to
[02:05:45] keep it together think about something
[02:05:47] else please boenville will think about
[02:05:49] something else
[02:05:51] I think there's good will for us to
[02:05:55] reach that outcome too both in the wider
[02:05:58] PNG and also in Bogenville So with that
[02:06:01] I think we should uh have confidence to
[02:06:04] go ahead debate this. Let's debate this.
[02:06:06] Our people have given us the indication
[02:06:08] already. This is a wide consultation.
[02:06:11] The committee has went all over the
[02:06:13] country. So in the provinces governors
[02:06:15] you play working play yet you plug and
[02:06:17] walk otherwise this is how the processes
[02:06:21] is allowed by the constitution for us to
[02:06:23] have the committees. The committees go
[02:06:25] and go consultation report come to us.
[02:06:28] we help us to make a decision. Uh I'm
[02:06:32] ready for
[02:06:33] uh the uh the parliament to make a
[02:06:37] decision on this whether we vote as a
[02:06:38] party or we vote as a as a you know um
[02:06:43] what is it on on our own conscious I
[02:06:47] think I would like to uh suggest to us
[02:06:50] Mr. Deputy Speaker that maybe government
[02:06:52] should have a position and give us
[02:06:54] guidance. You may support him or you may
[02:06:56] like
[02:06:59] we have to take leadership prime
[02:07:01] minister grand chief like independence
[02:07:05] now like but make him his responsibility
[02:07:09] to appeal to teabal and whoever else got
[02:07:12] hesitation we go for independence.
[02:07:15] Last time when we were debating about
[02:07:18] you know whether we should have a
[02:07:19] president system or this west minister
[02:07:21] system I reminded all of us that in my
[02:07:23] conversation with grand chief I asked
[02:07:26] him why you wanted this uh you know
[02:07:29] English system that we don't understand
[02:07:31] and said beginning this time we must
[02:07:35] straighten
[02:07:37] I had a preference go but I have
[02:07:40] strengthen to give them comfort so you
[02:07:44] mean
[02:07:45] system loinia and then I think that
[02:07:48] contributed to the set abal agreeing to
[02:07:52] us going to independence in 1975.
[02:07:55] So it needs leadership
[02:07:59] I believe to uh you know everybody to
[02:08:03] vote on their conscious
[02:08:06] let's be leaders let's be government
[02:08:08] let's think about our country let's
[02:08:09] think about our people let's think about
[02:08:11] Bogenville too
[02:08:14] you know not all
[02:08:16] they've been advocating for independence
[02:08:18] well before 1975
[02:08:20] they nearly did a UDI2 in 1974
[02:08:24] they had their own referendum to before
[02:08:26] 16th September 1975 the referendum
[02:08:31] obviously failed. So come up but nation
[02:08:35] building even
[02:08:42] United Kingdom is still going through
[02:08:43] the agony of nation building countries
[02:08:46] like Ethiopia
[02:08:48] come up
[02:08:52] South Sudan come up out of Sudan so it's
[02:08:56] not unique to Papa New Guinea so let's
[02:08:59] have the courage let's think about our
[02:09:02] Bogen Williams and think about the rest
[02:09:04] of Papa let's go ahead and make
[02:09:08] addition. Thank you very much Mr. Deputy
[02:09:09] Speaker. The honorable member for South
[02:09:13] Bergenville and Minister Masu.
[02:09:17] Thank you uh deputy speaker
[02:09:25] debate
[02:09:27] especially
[02:09:37] You may debate more long behind time
[02:09:42] report
[02:09:44] Mr. Speaker,
[02:09:49] Vice President Autonomous Region
[02:09:52] Boenville, Honorable Ezekiel Masim,
[02:09:56] Honorable Ministers, Senior Officers,
[02:10:00] Longer,
[02:10:04] Speak Gallery,
[02:10:08] People
[02:10:14] One very very important
[02:10:17] situation
[02:10:19] very important
[02:10:21] happening in country
[02:10:28] founding father country
[02:10:36] now
[02:10:42] let's
[02:10:44] Grand Chief Sir Honorable Right
[02:10:48] Honorable Sir Thomas Michael Somare
[02:10:54] look grandch
[02:11:02] long honorable prime ministers
[02:11:06] also honorable Pice Winty
[02:11:09] Honorable Bill Skate
[02:11:12] Honorable S Rabi Namalu
[02:11:15] Honorable Ser Morata
[02:11:20] Mr. Peter O'Neal.
[02:11:23] Honorable Peter O'Neal.
[02:11:25] Now, honorable James Marong now today
[02:11:29] prime minister countrys
[02:11:35] prime ministers
[02:11:39] country.
[02:11:47] today.
[02:11:55] Firstly, als
[02:12:03] this this issue and and make a decision.
[02:12:08] Make a decision.
[02:12:14] Now tight
[02:12:17] tight
[02:12:20] report by come
[02:12:23] by
[02:12:26] now
[02:12:35] but 97.7
[02:12:37] decide
[02:12:40] any decision
[02:12:42] Okay.
[02:12:48] Me com people belong Borenville.
[02:12:52] All people meong South Borenville, North
[02:12:54] Borenville,
[02:12:56] Central Borenville.
[02:12:59] Maintaining peace
[02:13:01] by peaceful means.
[02:13:04] You missed.
[02:13:24] But again,
[02:13:26] it is important that we come to a
[02:13:29] decision.
[02:13:31] Members of this honorable house,
[02:13:35] you me must knock and borrow the one
[02:13:37] plus something.
[02:13:39] Let us not fear
[02:13:42] because
[02:13:44] God is on something come up
[02:13:48] something come up in
[02:13:51] time make decision
[02:14:04] like reading poem writing
[02:14:07] long again.
[02:14:11] Bogenville, look at the sea tonight.
[02:14:16] The moon draws a path across our waters.
[02:14:21] The path is not for outsiders.
[02:14:24] It is ours,
[02:14:27] the brave,
[02:14:29] the free.
[02:14:31] Waves crash hand.
[02:14:35] Waves crashed hard and pull away.
[02:14:39] Others came like that, took left.
[02:14:45] But the tide always returns
[02:14:49] and so do we.
[02:14:51] Tides do not quit.
[02:14:55] They renew.
[02:14:58] Neither do we.
[02:15:02] Whose tide is this? Our tide.
[02:15:06] Whose time is this? Our time.
[02:15:10] Who writes Bogenville's future?
[02:15:13] Borgganian hands.
[02:15:16] The tide is ours.
[02:15:19] The time is now.
[02:15:22] Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
[02:15:28] >> The honorable member for Senator.
[02:15:30] >> Thank you, Mr. speaker opportunity say a
[02:15:34] few things
[02:15:48] outcome final outcome
[02:15:52] in time. So past time through may I
[02:15:55] recognize him? Honorable Timote Masu who
[02:15:58] just spoke uh for leaders Bogenville
[02:16:03] Chamber. Honorable Timotei Masu,
[02:16:06] honorable uh Petali,
[02:16:09] honorable Francesca Samoso,
[02:16:12] honorable Jim Mirin Toro,
[02:16:15] all this leaders
[02:16:19] mandate
[02:16:21] delivering
[02:16:23] people all
[02:16:26] campaign
[02:16:28] platform
[02:16:33] and they kept the issue. to our life
[02:16:34] both in this chamber also
[02:16:39] bureaucrats
[02:16:42] and then come walkers
[02:16:47] country
[02:16:50] this it's not easy subject matter plug
[02:17:00] reminding me
[02:17:01] late honorable Governor
[02:17:04] Southern Highlands Anderson
[02:17:08] one time not many years ago.
[02:17:20] LG guest project
[02:17:23] on the one hand
[02:17:25] mandate blame.
[02:17:27] How and why people
[02:17:37] on the other hand
[02:17:39] islands
[02:17:55] in one place position
[02:17:57] But to his credit,
[02:18:00] late honorable Anderson Aguru Msing
[02:18:05] this blood delicate pathway with the
[02:18:08] ultimate statesmanship
[02:18:13] late how he's able to speak and keep the
[02:18:18] two sides together without opening the
[02:18:20] other.
[02:18:22] And when I look at the current crop of
[02:18:25] Bogan Williamian leaders, Paul Pablo Nan
[02:18:28] inside of this chamber, every time they
[02:18:30] stand up and speak, I see them
[02:18:34] behave, speak, articulate issues in the
[02:18:38] very same way. Also talk them integrity,
[02:18:42] talk dignity. Not they try to keep
[02:18:45] everybody together whilst at the same
[02:18:47] time being the condute. for
[02:18:50] communicating, thinking I wish people
[02:18:53] blow all without compromise. Come inside
[02:18:57] chamber.
[02:19:08] poem
[02:19:16] blame
[02:19:18] and that's the kind of difficulty they
[02:19:20] are in as they try to bring a final
[02:19:23] outcome to the uh debate we are having.
[02:19:26] So me me give him credit l for their
[02:19:29] astute statesmanship in the way they
[02:19:31] navigate this issue keeping us all
[02:19:34] together as we together work to a final
[02:19:36] outcome. So big
[02:19:43] chamber. Thank you.
[02:19:48] M
[02:19:50] president of Bogenville is is
[02:19:53] uh
[02:19:55] toama
[02:19:58] mandate blame too and he steadf
[02:20:01] steadfastly
[02:20:02] stood to the mandate
[02:20:05] the faith that the people had invested
[02:20:07] him even time very stressful and take
[02:20:11] him too long to reach him want the final
[02:20:14] outcome he stuck to his guns to make en
[02:20:17] sure that this process reaches its
[02:20:20] finality according to the process that
[02:20:22] we have agreed to.
[02:20:25] So me give him big
[02:20:29] uh parliament law abg
[02:20:34] make sure that we follow our agreed
[02:20:37] processes and procedures. So big respect
[02:20:40] me honorable president ABG
[02:20:44] Milaw vice president of Bogenville
[02:20:48] is Marat
[02:20:50] um Mati
[02:21:02] Grade 11 grade 12
[02:21:13] Parliament
[02:21:19] shoulder display immense responsibility.
[02:21:22] Lord bring him this issue again in
[02:21:24] fulfillment with his mandate from his
[02:21:27] people. Lord make sure that we bring it
[02:21:29] as far as we have come
[02:21:32] play a responsibility but he's managed
[02:21:34] it so well.
[02:21:37] newspaper minister
[02:21:40] parliament pay my attention
[02:21:44] blog vice president
[02:21:47] honorable
[02:21:49] matri
[02:22:05] honor
[02:22:08] As it is difficult for the other side,
[02:22:11] it is equals equally difficult on this
[02:22:13] side
[02:22:15] like minister but many of us are careful
[02:22:18] not to take that job
[02:22:20] because it is a hard job. However,
[02:22:26] Mr. Makiba honorable man Makiba that on
[02:22:31] this very delicate task he's walked
[02:22:34] straight down the middle can and like
[02:22:36] his counterparts on the Bogenville side
[02:22:38] is kept the two sides of the coin
[02:22:40] together up to this point in time. So
[02:22:44] thank you my thank you and my gratitude
[02:22:46] is extended to the honorable minister
[02:22:50] one kind by me Dr. CL Dr. Alan Marat
[02:22:57] um Lord paper and present him
[02:23:01] paper and present him give me some
[02:23:04] clarity on what our people are thinking
[02:23:06] the rest of the people in this country
[02:23:08] are thinking so at least I'm giving
[02:23:10] people some uh understanding know what
[02:23:15] the rest of the people in this country
[02:23:16] are thinking about what we are doing on
[02:23:19] the floor almost exclusively so for the
[02:23:21] first time there's a some sort proof of
[02:23:24] a process that enables the greater wider
[02:23:28] community of Papa Nigini to participate
[02:23:30] and have a say uh in what's going to
[02:23:33] leading towards some form of a final
[02:23:35] outcome. So Lord Dr.
[02:23:38] expressing gratitude, appreciation,
[02:23:40] leadership, wisdom, guidance, blame
[02:23:43] committee.
[02:23:45] Finally, tableing display report
[02:23:48] law parliament.
[02:23:52] Um like plenty old talk,
[02:23:56] display human delicate matter,
[02:23:59] but
[02:24:01] we take our queue from the people of
[02:24:03] Bogenville.
[02:24:06] The main message they are signaling is
[02:24:08] they are tired of this long winded
[02:24:10] process. They want an outcome
[02:24:15] and
[02:24:17] it is our duty
[02:24:19] obligation bloomi as members of this
[02:24:22] current parliament. Lord give them an
[02:24:24] outcome
[02:24:27] whether we agree to support the outcome
[02:24:29] of the uh vote for I independence as
[02:24:33] reflected in the referendum or no
[02:24:36] whichever outcome already
[02:24:44] decision
[02:24:46] and what comes we will deal with it in
[02:24:50] the normal melanation way. set up the
[02:24:52] agreed procedures and go forward.
[02:24:57] So they are giving us the confidence to
[02:24:59] go ahead and make that decision. We want
[02:25:02] to make the decision, Mr. Speaker. We
[02:25:04] really owe it to them to make a
[02:25:06] decision. They are tired of it and
[02:25:09] Papini too is probably getting tired of
[02:25:12] it too
[02:25:14] and we need to give everybody the peace
[02:25:15] of mind now making one decision one way
[02:25:17] or another so people can carry on with
[02:25:19] their lives. However, in order to
[02:25:22] achieve an informed
[02:25:25] and universally acceptable decision, you
[02:25:28] must give him opportunity law.
[02:25:40] after presentation the paper from Dr.
[02:25:48] debate
[02:25:51] because frustrating process
[02:25:54] understanding gravity issues
[02:25:58] talk
[02:26:00] where both sides must give me
[02:26:04] important true because whatever the
[02:26:08] outcome we still going to live together
[02:26:09] transect with one another that's a
[02:26:12] subject matter I'll talk about later
[02:26:14] tibla
[02:26:17] Referendum report
[02:26:25] but
[02:26:27] giving me opportunity
[02:26:29] give me time giving me plan how you you
[02:26:33] like bring me kind of final point where
[02:26:35] me can vote uh I think me like asking
[02:26:39] minister I think need pay attention to
[02:26:43] what governor Alen B and talk
[02:26:46] Set him out. Procedures blow you good.
[02:26:49] Now give him this time
[02:26:54] so that prepare law
[02:26:59] talk good here. All same late honorable
[02:27:04] Anderson.
[02:27:05] All same
[02:27:13] balancing both sides must talk but we
[02:27:16] can't do that if government side
[02:27:20] something
[02:27:22] opportunity what
[02:27:28] government can rush him good opportunity
[02:27:32] Mr. Speaker
[02:27:35] >> I think we withdraw him this bit
[02:27:37] >> honorable member
[02:27:38] >> we part Mr. not helping me.
[02:27:41] >> Honorable member, Mr. Point of order,
[02:27:43] I'll allow Prime Minister to raise point
[02:27:45] of order.
[02:27:46] >> Prime Minister,
[02:27:47] >> just point of order, my apologies to uh
[02:27:51] the learned member for senior city. I
[02:27:54] want just to make a point of order to
[02:27:57] point that this matter under discussion
[02:28:01] is not government business. This is
[02:28:04] parliament business under discussion. So
[02:28:07] that's a point over let's let's not
[02:28:09] confuse pointing to government business
[02:28:11] and parliament business. Parliament as a
[02:28:13] important arm the foundational arm in
[02:28:17] which all laws sit as a right to
[02:28:20] construct its own opinion and it's a
[02:28:22] special parliamentary committee on
[02:28:23] Bugenville sitting.
[02:28:25] I just want to point out don't say this
[02:28:27] is government business while government
[02:28:28] has taken care of the minister has made
[02:28:30] reference to government's point and I
[02:28:32] will make certain clearance this is a
[02:28:35] parliamentary bipartisan committee
[02:28:37] report opposition constitutes that
[02:28:40] committee as well as government side
[02:28:42] conit committee Mr.
[02:28:43] Can you make it a point of reference
[02:28:46] that parliamentary committee is a
[02:28:48] parliament business matter not a
[02:28:49] government?
[02:28:51] >> Minister, thank you for your clearance
[02:28:53] on the point of your point of order is
[02:28:55] in order. allow the member to
[02:28:59] >> deputy speaker like clarity.
[02:29:04] So
[02:29:16] now
[02:29:20] Dr.
[02:29:22] You go page 24.
[02:29:25] Bottom page 24 subheading and talk.
[02:29:29] Managing expectations through clarity,
[02:29:32] communication, and sequencing.
[02:29:35] Subtitle.
[02:29:39] Senator in this context participants
[02:29:44] consistently emphasized the importance
[02:29:46] of clear timely communication regarding
[02:29:51] parliamentary processes
[02:29:54] been looking report
[02:29:56] but this idea
[02:30:01] put him clarity give him good timing
[02:30:04] too
[02:30:06] part of this report is calling for
[02:30:08] clarity and call for timely
[02:30:11] opportunities. So what we opposition
[02:30:14] talk I think any report so you need
[02:30:18] behind him now ask him for
[02:30:22] one week two week 3 months
[02:30:25] you walk tomorrow tomorrow
[02:30:30] but at least give me time I can report
[02:30:33] him important report digest
[02:30:37] help
[02:30:47] by one bell. Now final decision
[02:30:53] for
[02:30:59] him next step. What's the next step?
[02:31:05] He already gave us a clue.
[02:31:09] And relating the wave wave by come now
[02:31:15] half a day later
[02:31:18] keep coming yet you still have to deal
[02:31:20] with that tide
[02:31:24] pay attention.
[02:31:26] So this is one tide we are dealing with
[02:31:30] tomorrow.
[02:31:31] We have to deal with that too.
[02:31:35] They have to deal with that too.
[02:31:41] So I'm asking for some process some
[02:31:44] timing now putting clear table
[02:31:49] talk on the whole Mr. Deputy Speaker me
[02:31:52] one below
[02:31:56] cooperation law to due process
[02:31:58] corporation lawenville government
[02:32:01] cooperation law this government
[02:32:06] on everybody's side all corporate go
[02:32:08] through bring this point in time me
[02:32:11] expressing my appreciation gratitude
[02:32:14] encouraging
[02:32:15] this process he must continue
[02:32:19] thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker,
[02:32:23] >> uh, honorable member for North
[02:32:25] Bogenville.
[02:32:27] Before me asking you to talk to uh,
[02:32:30] honorable member parliament, I just want
[02:32:32] to make a a clarification on uh,
[02:32:35] statements raised by the honorable
[02:32:38] members in importance of giving time for
[02:32:40] you to uh, read the paper and debate on
[02:32:44] it. Honorable
[02:32:49] statement
[02:32:52] honorable members
[02:32:54] clarification earlier. If you no redeem
[02:32:58] good statement and you are not ready to
[02:33:00] make any statement in regard to the
[02:33:02] statement made by the chairman uh you
[02:33:05] know can sign up now talk you can hold
[02:33:08] that because this is not the final uh
[02:33:10] debate of this this debate will still be
[02:33:12] open there will be no question put to
[02:33:14] it. It will the motion will be moved
[02:33:16] that uh the debate will still continue
[02:33:18] in the next day of session maybe
[02:33:20] tomorrow and onwards. So uh if you think
[02:33:23] you not ready to debate on this and the
[02:33:26] chair will see from here if there's not
[02:33:29] enough member
[02:33:31] talk then it shows an indication that we
[02:33:34] move to the next day to continue on the
[02:33:36] debate. But if you all would want to
[02:33:39] stand and say the same say sh say sh say
[02:33:41] sh say sh say sh say sh say sh say sh say sh say sh say sh say
[02:33:41] share the same uh sentiment
[02:33:43] say sh say share the same uh sentiment
[02:33:43] of giving you time then you still
[02:33:45] holding us another extra 20 minutes to
[02:33:47] wait for you to finish your uh debate so
[02:33:51] making this house will help him um the
[02:33:54] clerks are here and as the prime
[02:33:56] minister have made clear this is a
[02:33:58] parliamentary business and your um your
[02:34:02] voice of giving you time and timetable
[02:34:05] of that the cler here and the is here.
[02:34:07] We'll take that into account and we'll
[02:34:09] see what we can do in the days to come
[02:34:12] on how we deal with this matter. But for
[02:34:14] us to debate on this, it is not the
[02:34:16] final debate. It give chance to whoever
[02:34:19] that is ready to make a statement. You
[02:34:20] stand and make a statement in regard to
[02:34:23] the statement made by the chairman. And
[02:34:25] if you think you are not ready now to
[02:34:27] say anything then uh we'll the chair
[02:34:30] will see from here if plenty of or talk
[02:34:33] we will make a motion to defer to the
[02:34:35] next days to make a debate. Honorable
[02:34:39] member for not boen will allow you to
[02:34:43] um thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker
[02:34:48] me like thank you parliament I want to
[02:34:50] say thank you. It's taken almost 25
[02:34:53] years time peace process come. It's
[02:34:56] taken about six years
[02:34:59] vote from 2019
[02:35:02] that came out to be 98.7.
[02:35:05] Thank you government.
[02:35:07] Thank you that you make him time
[02:35:11] parliament.
[02:35:15] Thank you
[02:35:16] brother.
[02:35:18] Honorable Masu, honorable chali,
[02:35:22] honorable metoro
[02:35:25] that we able to hold together when
[02:35:28] something come up. I'm I'm I'm really
[02:35:30] thankful that finally you give me bring
[02:35:32] him this le
[02:35:35] parliament
[02:35:38] over last Friday talk today I feel
[02:35:43] there is peace peace by peaceful means
[02:35:48] come up inside parliament
[02:35:52] thank you all members of parliament
[02:35:56] thank you for your love thank Thank you
[02:35:59] for your understanding.
[02:36:00] Thank you for feeling that you are part
[02:36:03] of Bogenville that mel part of papu
[02:36:06] guini. There's going to be a new
[02:36:09] narrative.
[02:36:13] Thank you.
[02:36:15] Thank you for the poem.
[02:36:27] You can
[02:36:29] honorable
[02:36:32] it speaks a thousand words.
[02:36:36] Thank you, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime
[02:36:39] Minister, cabinet. Thank you for making
[02:36:43] that issue
[02:36:45] the Bogenville issue.
[02:36:47] It comes down
[02:36:50] parliament from the speaker to the
[02:36:52] deputy speaker to the assistant
[02:36:55] speakers.
[02:36:56] Thank you to the effort
[02:36:59] walk
[02:37:07] by
[02:37:09] hand.
[02:37:17] I just want to say congratulations to
[02:37:19] this government the 11th parliament of
[02:37:22] papun guinea. Thank you. You take him
[02:37:26] time. It was not an easy task. Mr.
[02:37:28] Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Prime
[02:37:30] Minister know talk you may bring him
[02:37:33] come inside long floor long parliament
[02:37:36] belong this nation a beautiful nation a
[02:37:39] caring nation. I want to say thank you
[02:37:42] to
[02:37:44] deputy prime min deputy speaker that
[02:37:46] this parliament me feeling WHEN I WALKED
[02:37:49] IN this morning
[02:37:56] people.
[02:38:01] I feel in this chamber
[02:38:07] big man
[02:38:11] a bit more time for us to deal with one
[02:38:14] estab report and I agree with that.
[02:38:19] me just want to make sure that before
[02:38:23] this government this parliament
[02:38:27] that we would have made the decision
[02:38:30] long session or w
[02:38:34] I have faith in this parliament I have
[02:38:38] faith in this government that I'm part
[02:38:39] of that we are able to bring a closure
[02:38:44] to one
[02:38:47] vote
[02:38:50] me
[02:38:52] social media weekend
[02:38:55] big man
[02:38:59] and I'm I'm feeling there starting there
[02:39:02] is the feeling of acceptance
[02:39:06] amongst people that don't sit here but
[02:39:09] they watch everything that transpires
[02:39:13] long government long social media even
[02:39:16] in this chamber Today Tammy come sit
[02:39:18] down.
[02:39:20] I am starting to feel that acceptance
[02:39:22] that we are able to
[02:39:25] walk him report
[02:39:28] people
[02:39:30] inside
[02:39:32] me feeling Mr. Prime Minister, thank
[02:39:34] you.
[02:39:36] People of Bogenville,
[02:39:38] thank you for that emotional attachment
[02:39:40] that you have for the people of
[02:39:41] Bogenville. Thank you to this
[02:39:43] parliament. We've been talking last week
[02:39:45] Friday every member of parliament you
[02:39:48] all big man Mary
[02:39:51] you play
[02:39:53] family inside Logenville either through
[02:39:56] marriage
[02:39:58] either through long friendship
[02:40:02] relationship
[02:40:04] thank you that you are starting to
[02:40:06] accept that Bergenville story has to be
[02:40:08] tabled
[02:40:10] on the floor of parliament
[02:40:14] I can remember
[02:40:16] time you go inside longus
[02:40:20] and I remember I met with you one time
[02:40:24] rest.
[02:40:28] Thank you for standing up for my people.
[02:40:32] Thank you that you made that decision.
[02:40:34] Honorable
[02:40:36] you made that decision.
[02:40:40] uh won't allow sand into Bogenville. Sir
[02:40:44] from the people of Bogenville.
[02:40:48] Thank you that you tumble maniplot
[02:40:52] attachment
[02:40:54] now.
[02:40:57] And this is and this is the kind of
[02:40:59] thing that I'm talking about that I
[02:41:01] continue to say there is no way but you
[02:41:03] losing me now you losing me totally. How
[02:41:06] about you put it ALL OUT IN BOGENVILLE
[02:41:08] AND GO WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY attached to
[02:41:10] Bogenville?
[02:41:11] You're already attached to Bogenville.
[02:41:14] Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, thank you for
[02:41:16] that time you come fly me. And that was
[02:41:18] the first time that Nissan Island is
[02:41:21] looking you. And that was the first time
[02:41:24] that Nissan Island look member of the
[02:41:27] national parliament. YOU KNOW, MAN, THE
[02:41:30] DEPUTY PRIME minister of this nation.
[02:41:33] You fly now. You go
[02:41:39] Mr. Deputy Prime Minister I thank you
[02:41:41] for that.
[02:41:43] The people of Papu Guinea love Burger.
[02:41:48] Even supposed to vote when
[02:41:51] even supposed vote he go. Yes. Let our
[02:41:54] people go. You'll still BE PART OF ME.
[02:41:57] YOU'LL STILL BE PART OF THAT BEAUTIFUL
[02:41:58] ISLAND. YOU'RE ALREADY PART OF IT
[02:42:01] through marriage, through friendship,
[02:42:04] through through family ties.
[02:42:07] Blessing for Boenville.
[02:42:09] Thank you for that smile.
[02:42:14] Now true. From the moment I walk into
[02:42:17] this chamber
[02:42:19] MTO
[02:42:24] like brotherto
[02:42:27] I I say thank you while my vice
[02:42:30] president is sitting up here gallery
[02:42:34] me come inside me not go inside long uh
[02:42:38] caucus.
[02:42:39] When I walked underneath building, the
[02:42:42] first thing I saw was
[02:42:45] a human being.
[02:43:02] one stickable
[02:43:06] vice president.
[02:43:09] Thank you. Even though
[02:43:12] we are still going to push that last
[02:43:16] strength to make sure that
[02:43:21] friendship
[02:43:24] and bogenville
[02:43:26] let's not be afraid to make that
[02:43:27] decision and I know now as we here as we
[02:43:30] massage this together as leaders of this
[02:43:33] nation there won't be any fear by
[02:43:35] tomorrow there won't be any fear by the
[02:43:37] next day if we have to debate this
[02:43:40] issue. Honorable Mas, honorable minister
[02:43:44] health,
[02:43:49] thank you simil
[02:43:56] talk.
[02:43:58] There's never been any hate.
[02:44:00] I love what has transpired the last
[02:44:06] from 2005 to now that we were able to
[02:44:09] talk about this issue meaningfully
[02:44:12] transparently
[02:44:14] accountably
[02:44:15] we have not shied away from it and I
[02:44:18] know you understand why Dr. Yeah, I
[02:44:21] think especially mama look Bogenville
[02:44:25] 95% of Bogenville is metron except for
[02:44:29] pockets in Nissan and pockets in South
[02:44:31] Benville.
[02:44:41] Thank you.
[02:44:51] Bogenville people that are here to
[02:44:53] witness what we're saying today.
[02:44:56] Thank you.
[02:45:01] I think this is the first time since me
[02:45:02] coming two years ago that me looking
[02:45:07] standing up there. Thank you.
[02:45:12] Thank you again to this parliament all
[02:45:18] elected members of parliament in Sala
[02:45:20] chamber.
[02:45:22] Thank you
[02:45:24] prime minister, deputy prime minister,
[02:45:26] cabinet blu me thank you. I know it was
[02:45:29] one of the hardest things to actually
[02:45:30] bring to the floor parliament because I
[02:45:33] know you don't want to see Benville go
[02:45:35] away
[02:45:38] but if you have to vote in favor to
[02:45:40] support mela
[02:45:42] I won't be taking my matt eolong venus
[02:45:48] see that is something positive
[02:45:51] me not forcing me to vote but I would
[02:45:54] love you to vote my way when it comes my
[02:45:58] This is a parliamentary
[02:46:00] issue
[02:46:05] and something
[02:46:07] we are all parliamentarians from the
[02:46:09] opposition to the government.
[02:46:13] Thank you. That's all that is taking
[02:46:14] this long. You are in
[02:46:17] um honorable masto.
[02:46:20] It's a long long time but thank you that
[02:46:24] we've arrived today.
[02:46:35] We've lost strong advocate for peace.
[02:46:39] We've lost strong advocate for this
[02:46:46] in the government that started in 2005.
[02:46:50] Honorable Masat
[02:46:54] Vice President Gallery. Not a lot of us
[02:46:57] anymore. Honorable Parliament. Not a lot
[02:47:00] of us anymore.
[02:47:02] Mist
[02:47:04] we started the government of 2005 and
[02:47:07] every time I see just a few of us
[02:47:12] because it's not an easy task.
[02:47:26] talk whether I sound stupid whether me
[02:47:29] look somebody said why you cry
[02:47:32] parliament
[02:47:34] parliament
[02:47:35] cry and I said my son you don't even
[02:47:38] know what a woman feels you don't even
[02:47:41] know what a mother feels
[02:47:46] we We give birth to nations after
[02:47:48] nations. We give birth to the ones that
[02:47:52] will make a decision.
[02:47:56] My parliament here.
[02:48:04] Let's take it onto
[02:48:09] mama
[02:48:12] again to the prime minister
[02:48:14] James
[02:48:16] 2018
[02:48:18] number two government you come
[02:48:22] independence overall you talk
[02:48:24] independenceville
[02:48:32] thank you Deputy speaker was parliament
[02:48:35] at that time. Time you make him talk
[02:48:37] talk. Prime Minister
[02:48:39] talk
[02:48:42] independence independence vote.
[02:48:47] Prime Minister
[02:48:54] which is already in the
[02:48:59] meant something. I thank you for taking
[02:49:00] me on parliament also you endorsing me
[02:49:04] as A LEADER
[02:49:07] WHY YOU lose pangu I had people very
[02:49:09] close to ME THAT SAID WHY YOU lo it took
[02:49:12] me three years to explain to them what I
[02:49:14] did
[02:49:17] a strong supporter
[02:49:20] I had to make that decision
[02:49:23] because I felt it was the right decision
[02:49:25] to make at that time
[02:49:28] independence
[02:49:30] Bogenville. It had to take a woman to go
[02:49:32] to the other side without fear of favor
[02:49:37] six months later me come back. I'm
[02:49:39] supporting you again. I'm your buffer.
[02:49:41] Me buffer.
[02:49:44] Thank you.
[02:49:50] Suppose you like him but you may
[02:49:53] look good for us to come and make
[02:49:59] me feel like
[02:50:04] I know you're starting to feel that we
[02:50:06] should take this on
[02:50:12] a nation. Um the world is watching us. I
[02:50:15] think prime minister
[02:50:19] uh these are as well. Some people came
[02:50:23] about how many hundred years ago to draw
[02:50:25] a line and say you don't belong to this
[02:50:27] pub of this of this land mass you belong
[02:50:30] to the part of that land mass. It really
[02:50:32] angers me even Solomon Islands somebody
[02:50:34] from where he comes
[02:50:38] align to because you belong to the other
[02:50:39] side and we belong to the other side
[02:50:41] that's an issue that has been going
[02:50:43] almost like almost 100 years on the
[02:50:45] other side.
[02:50:46] It's an issue where I'm online bringing
[02:50:48] Mr. Pass in custom but me talk again.
[02:50:52] Thank you bringing me to this is the
[02:50:55] first time in 25 years. This is the
[02:50:58] first time in seven years that the
[02:51:00] results
[02:51:02] referendum that we able to come here.
[02:51:06] Thank you for your understanding.
[02:51:08] Thank you for your love. Thank you.
[02:51:11] You can look at me
[02:51:20] parliament sitting now. You can you can
[02:51:21] talk maybe tomorrow.
[02:51:25] The whole of Bogenville watches the four
[02:51:27] of us
[02:51:30] and they watch what we do. English.
[02:51:36] But thank you deputy prime minister.
[02:51:38] Thank you prime minister. Thank you
[02:51:40] cabinet.
[02:51:42] Thank you.
[02:51:50] members of parliament.
[02:51:57] um speaker when the prime minister
[02:52:01] we can have a debate and open debate
[02:52:03] again but me talk
[02:52:12] after debate and but again my challenge
[02:52:16] is let this 11 parliament go down in
[02:52:19] history as the parliament as the prime
[02:52:22] minister as the deputy prime minister as
[02:52:24] the opposition decision as the
[02:52:25] government that made that decision for
[02:52:28] your brothers and sisters, for your
[02:52:30] loved ones, for your families in
[02:52:32] Bogenville. Thank you, Tomas. I thank
[02:52:35] God for letting this come upon
[02:52:38] and I thank each and everyone for your
[02:52:40] understanding one more time. Now, God
[02:52:42] will continue to bless this nation and
[02:52:44] its leadership. Thank you to Mr.
[02:52:47] Assistant Speaker.
[02:52:52] Thank you member for North Bogenville
[02:52:53] for your contributions towards this
[02:52:55] debate
[02:52:57] member for regional member for
[02:52:59] Bogenville and minister of works and
[02:53:00] highways.
[02:53:03] Uh thank you then speaker.
[02:53:06] Uh before me debate too, I want to take
[02:53:09] this opportunity to appreciate our
[02:53:11] chairman for parliamentary committee
[02:53:13] bipartition parliamentary committee for
[02:53:16] uh bringing forward this this this
[02:53:18] report
[02:53:20] and I just want to qualify
[02:53:23] my statement this afternoon.
[02:53:27] Mr. Speaker, I stand here
[02:53:31] as a second generation
[02:53:36] parliamentarian
[02:53:40] predating 1975. My grandfather
[02:53:44] sir Paul Lapun
[02:53:46] was in
[02:53:48] self-government 1964 to 1987.
[02:53:54] So I make this statement
[02:53:58] to just highlight to this honorable
[02:54:00] house
[02:54:02] that this journey did not start in ' 89.
[02:54:07] But as we all know from the reports and
[02:54:11] from many many engagements,
[02:54:16] we know that
[02:54:18] there is a long deep history of the
[02:54:22] people of Bogenville
[02:54:26] in their aspirations.
[02:54:29] before me. Give him talk to talk measi
[02:54:35] honorable SK Masat with all my honorable
[02:54:38] leaders of the autonomous Bogenville
[02:54:39] government who are in the house. I also
[02:54:43] acknowledge all my chiefs from central
[02:54:46] Bogenville,
[02:54:48] including my chiefs from Bana who are
[02:54:51] here, all Papainians that are listening
[02:54:55] and watching,
[02:54:58] and all my people of Bogenville
[02:55:00] that have had their ears on today's
[02:55:03] session and this debate.
[02:55:07] Good day.
[02:55:11] Uh, as speaker,
[02:55:15] I rise not merely as the regional member
[02:55:18] for Bogenville.
[02:55:20] I rise as a son of Bogenville.
[02:55:23] I rise as a citizen of Papigini.
[02:55:28] I rise as a Melanesian leader in this
[02:55:31] honorable Melanesian house.
[02:55:35] And I rise conscious that what we do in
[02:55:39] this chamber today will be remembered
[02:55:42] long after every one of us have left
[02:55:46] this public life.
[02:55:50] Future generations will study this
[02:55:51] moment as speaker. They will ask what
[02:55:55] kind of leaders we were.
[02:55:58] They will ask whether we honored our
[02:56:02] constitution.
[02:56:04] They will ask whether we honored our
[02:56:08] word. And as the speaker, I would like
[02:56:10] to remind our honorable house
[02:56:13] that what we're all doing today is
[02:56:16] merely following the constitution,
[02:56:21] the process that prescribes
[02:56:25] the peace agreement
[02:56:28] to follow the process
[02:56:30] constitutionally.
[02:56:36] I would like to remind this house that
[02:56:39] it was also in 1989
[02:56:42] that's that this house also declared
[02:56:44] state of emergency on Bogenville.
[02:56:50] We were very young back then. We were
[02:56:51] only fourth. It was only the fourth term
[02:56:54] of parliament in 89 as speaker.
[02:56:59] But it was this house that invoked the
[02:57:02] state of emergency on Bogenville
[02:57:06] that saw us
[02:57:09] distant,
[02:57:11] that saw us disclosed from humanity
[02:57:16] in a dark age that lasted for almost 10
[02:57:19] years.
[02:57:23] Now many generations from now they will
[02:57:24] ask whether we had the courage
[02:57:28] to com to complete the journey that our
[02:57:32] predecessors began.
[02:57:35] And why I say our predecessors is that
[02:57:37] it was this house
[02:57:40] the sixth parliament
[02:57:42] as leaders in this house that they
[02:57:44] started
[02:57:46] brokering the peace agreement in 2001.
[02:57:50] It was this house following the
[02:57:53] constitutional process.
[02:57:57] Mr. Speaker,
[02:58:00] let us clear
[02:58:04] away from fear.
[02:58:06] Let us clear away from misunderstanding.
[02:58:10] Let us clear away from politics.
[02:58:14] This debate is not about whether
[02:58:15] Bogenville should break Papuini.
[02:58:18] That de that debate occurred more than
[02:58:21] 20 years ago.
[02:58:23] That debate was settled when the leaders
[02:58:26] of Papuini
[02:58:27] chose peace over conflict.
[02:58:32] Ask the Cy and the sixth parliament.
[02:58:34] They chose peace over conflict and they
[02:58:38] invoked a peace agreement.
[02:58:47] The matter before us today is much
[02:58:49] simpler.
[02:58:51] The matter before us today is whether
[02:58:53] this parliament will faithfully
[02:58:55] discharge the constitutional
[02:58:56] responsibility entrusted to it by
[02:59:01] leaders who came before us.
[02:59:04] As speaker,
[02:59:07] on 23rd January 2002, let me remind this
[02:59:11] house, the national parliament took the
[02:59:14] first constitutional vote.
[02:59:16] Out of 109 seats,
[02:59:19] 85 members vote in favor.
[02:59:25] None voted against.
[02:59:29] And it was overwhelming
[02:59:33] to invoke part 14
[02:59:36] which is the peace agreement.
[02:59:40] That was on January to January 2002.
[02:59:45] On that mass 27th of March,
[02:59:49] a second vote took effect
[02:59:53] on the final constitution vote and 87
[02:59:58] voted in favor.
[03:00:00] None voted against, not one.
[03:00:05] No division,
[03:00:07] no opposition, no uncertainty. The
[03:00:11] leaders of that generation spoke with
[03:00:13] one voice.
[03:00:17] The speaker presiding over those
[03:00:19] historic votes was Sir John Punary
[03:00:24] who today sits among us and has the rare
[03:00:27] privilege of witnessing both the
[03:00:29] beginning and the conclusion of this
[03:00:32] constitutional journey.
[03:00:35] Prime Minister Sar Morata, Minister of
[03:00:37] Boganville Affairs Seo A, Speaker then
[03:00:40] Sir John Pulari and the members of that
[03:00:44] parliament together they embedded the
[03:00:47] peace agreement into the supreme law of
[03:00:50] Papuini.
[03:00:52] not into an ordinary act,
[03:00:55] not into a policy document,
[03:00:58] not into a political agreement,
[03:01:02] into the constitution itself.
[03:01:05] As speaker, section two declares that
[03:01:08] the sovereignty of Papa Nigini over its
[03:01:11] territory and natural resources is
[03:01:14] absolute
[03:01:16] correct.
[03:01:18] That principle remains sacred. As in
[03:01:20] Speaker,
[03:01:24] that principle remains fundamental.
[03:01:27] However, Asent speaker, exercising that
[03:01:30] same sovereignty of authority, this
[03:01:33] parliament deliberately
[03:01:36] created a special constitutional
[03:01:38] framework for Bogenville.
[03:01:42] Section 276 provides that part 14
[03:01:45] applies only to Bogenville.
[03:01:48] My honorable leaders,
[03:01:50] if you are questioning yourself if this
[03:01:53] decision will fragment papini, it will
[03:01:56] not.
[03:01:57] The constitution says so. It protects,
[03:02:00] it quarantines.
[03:02:04] More importantly, it provides that where
[03:02:07] there is any inconsistency between part
[03:02:10] 14 and any other provision of the
[03:02:13] constitution, part 14 prevails.
[03:02:18] Those words were not inserted
[03:02:21] accidentally, as in speaker. They were
[03:02:23] inserted deliberately.
[03:02:26] They were inserted because Bogenville
[03:02:28] was not an ordinary political
[03:02:32] issue.
[03:02:35] Bogenville was a peace issue. Bogenville
[03:02:39] was a reconciliation issue.
[03:02:43] Bogenville was a nationbuilding issue.
[03:02:48] Now, there were four constitutional
[03:02:50] steps as the speaker.
[03:02:52] Step one was the referendum. Section 338
[03:02:55] required that a referendum be conducted
[03:02:58] on Bogenville's future political status.
[03:03:00] As we all know,
[03:03:03] the referendum occurred.
[03:03:07] The constitution was obeyed.
[03:03:11] Step two, the people were asked to vote
[03:03:14] freely.
[03:03:16] The process was internationally
[03:03:18] observed.
[03:03:19] The process was accepted by both
[03:03:23] governments.
[03:03:24] As the speaker,
[03:03:27] the people answered.
[03:03:30] As speaker,
[03:03:33] section 342 required consultation
[03:03:36] between the national government and the
[03:03:37] autonomous Bogenville government.
[03:03:40] That consultation as the speaker it
[03:03:43] occurred
[03:03:45] government after government, prime
[03:03:47] minister after prime minister,
[03:03:50] president after president.
[03:03:53] Section 342
[03:03:55] section two requires that the final
[03:03:57] consideration by this national
[03:03:59] parliament which is where we are today.
[03:04:03] So in the constitutional process,
[03:04:07] this is why this matter before us today
[03:04:10] matters.
[03:04:12] Not because Bogenville demanded it, not
[03:04:15] because a prime minister demanded it,
[03:04:19] not because an individual leader
[03:04:20] demanded it, but because the
[03:04:23] constitution requires it as it is a
[03:04:26] constitutional process.
[03:04:30] Mr. Speaker, the result was clear. The
[03:04:34] result was overwhelming. The result was
[03:04:37] unequivocal.
[03:04:38] 97.7
[03:04:40] voted for independence.
[03:04:42] Whether one agrees with the result or
[03:04:44] not, it is not a matter of personal
[03:04:46] opinion. But no one can honestly dispute
[03:04:49] its clarity. No one can honestly dispute
[03:04:52] its legitimacy. Legitimacy. No one can
[03:04:55] honestly dispute that it emerged from
[03:04:57] the very constitutional process the
[03:04:59] parliament itself created.
[03:05:01] Therefore, Western speaker and my fellow
[03:05:03] leaders, the question before us is not
[03:05:06] whether we love Papa Nigini. We do
[03:05:09] Western speaker, the question before us
[03:05:11] is not whether we value national unity.
[03:05:14] We do Western speaker. The question
[03:05:16] before us is not whether peace matters.
[03:05:20] It does. Asan speaker, peace does
[03:05:24] matter.
[03:05:26] The real question is this.
[03:05:28] Will Papa Guini honor the constitutional
[03:05:30] covenant it made with Bogenville?
[03:05:34] As speaker, will this parliament
[03:05:38] complete the journey that another
[03:05:40] parliament began? Do not feel burdened,
[03:05:43] my honorable leaders. You all have been
[03:05:46] part and parcel of a constitutional
[03:05:48] process. It started in the sixth
[03:05:51] parliament. We're now at the 11th
[03:05:53] parliament. We are just executing the
[03:05:56] last process of what is required by us
[03:05:59] through the constitutional process.
[03:06:04] We will demonstrate that the word of
[03:06:06] papernigini sorry will this parliament
[03:06:10] complete the journey that another
[03:06:11] parliament began. As the speaker will we
[03:06:14] demonstrate that the word of papini is
[03:06:16] sacred as the speaker. Will we prove
[03:06:19] that agreements entered into good faith
[03:06:21] are honored? As the speaker, will we
[03:06:24] show that the world that Melanesian
[03:06:25] leadership is founded upon integrity?
[03:06:28] As the speaker, history will not
[03:06:30] remember how loudly we spoke. History
[03:06:33] will not remember which side of politics
[03:06:35] we belong to. History will not remember
[03:06:38] our titles.
[03:06:40] History will remember only one thing.
[03:06:43] Whether we honored our word, Aan
[03:06:45] Speaker, the generation before us choose
[03:06:49] dialogue instead of war. Aston, they
[03:06:52] choose reconciliation instead of
[03:06:55] division. Aston, they choose
[03:06:58] constitutionalism instead of violence.
[03:07:00] Aston, and they entrusted that that
[03:07:04] legacy to us.
[03:07:07] Today we honor every peacemaker,
[03:07:11] every mother, every church leader, every
[03:07:13] chief, every former ex-combatant,
[03:07:17] every leader who believed that peace was
[03:07:18] possible. Today we honor the wisdom of
[03:07:21] those who embedded that promise into our
[03:07:24] constitution. And today we have an
[03:07:26] opportunity to demonstrate that the word
[03:07:29] of papuini remains unbroken.
[03:07:33] For peace was the purpose. For peace was
[03:07:36] the promise, for peace was the process.
[03:07:40] And peace must remain the legacy. May
[03:07:44] God bless Boville. May God bless Papu
[03:07:46] Nigini. And may future generations say
[03:07:48] that when history call upon us, we
[03:07:51] honored our covenant.
[03:07:54] The Bible says in 519, "Blessed are the
[03:07:57] peacemakers for for they shall be called
[03:08:00] sons and daughters of God."
[03:08:04] I finish by saying I commend the
[03:08:07] chairman of the bipartition committee of
[03:08:09] bringing this report
[03:08:12] to the floor and allows all of us to
[03:08:16] discuss and as we highlighted it is not
[03:08:20] the end. We will have opportunity to
[03:08:23] debate thereafter. But hopefully what I
[03:08:26] have been able to amplify this afternoon
[03:08:29] will help guide you when you read
[03:08:31] through the bipartition committee's
[03:08:34] report. Thank you. Western speaker
[03:08:47] in support of uh
[03:08:50] my chairman's uh report as part of the
[03:08:53] parliamentary committee. I wish to speak
[03:08:56] in support of the my chairman's report
[03:08:59] very briefly. But before I do that, I
[03:09:02] wish to acknowledge like everyone else
[03:09:06] the presence of the vice president of
[03:09:09] the autonomous Bogenville government,
[03:09:11] honorable Ezekiel Masad, his leaders,
[03:09:14] the chiefs and also I note in particular
[03:09:16] there are many women from Boganville who
[03:09:20] are also sitting at the gallery and I
[03:09:23] want to acknowledge them because as you
[03:09:26] know in this uh Boganville crisis and
[03:09:29] peace process it was the women of
[03:09:32] Boganville
[03:09:33] that took the the most important stance
[03:09:37] to bring back the process of uh
[03:09:41] reconciliation. So I want to pay a
[03:09:44] special tribute to all the women leaders
[03:09:46] in Boanville during that crisis at the
[03:09:49] beginnings of the crisis time and their
[03:09:52] presence in the gallery in big numbers
[03:09:54] is an acknowledgment of their greater
[03:09:57] role that they continue to play in this
[03:10:00] uh entire process. So like
[03:10:07] talk
[03:10:10] >> I also want to say and acknowledge the
[03:10:14] leadership under Prime Minister Marappe.
[03:10:18] We have many many differences on either
[03:10:21] side of the chamber. We argue with each
[03:10:24] other. But today in this in this uh
[03:10:28] debate of the report of the bipartisan
[03:10:31] parliamentary committee, I want to say
[03:10:34] thank you to the honorable prime
[03:10:36] minister, honorable James Marappe,
[03:10:39] member for and parliamentary leader of
[03:10:42] the Pangu party. Thank you, Prime
[03:10:45] Minister, for your leadership since you
[03:10:48] took over in 2019
[03:10:50] and uh you appointed me as minister
[03:10:53] responsible for Benville affairs and I
[03:10:56] preided over the 23rd November to 7
[03:11:00] December referendum process in 2019.
[03:11:04] you came and received the result.
[03:11:10] And so uh and under your leadership
[03:11:12] after you won the election in 2022, you
[03:11:15] maintained your commitment
[03:11:18] that it is this 11th parliament where
[03:11:21] you are the prime minister that the
[03:11:23] decision will be made. And so I want to
[03:11:28] thank you and I want to pay a special
[03:11:32] credit to you for your leadership in
[03:11:35] this uh bogan matter.
[03:11:38] Seven prime ministers served before you.
[03:11:42] One of them was the founding father of
[03:11:44] this nation.
[03:11:48] And out of those seven
[03:11:51] under their leadership, I also served
[03:11:56] those prime ministers after I came into
[03:11:58] parliament in 2002.
[03:12:04] It was a very very difficult moment
[03:12:09] and I understand why the prime
[03:12:11] minister's then had difficult times and
[03:12:14] one of the difficulties that they would
[03:12:16] do was they always they always appointed
[03:12:20] Bogan billions to take charge of the
[03:12:22] Boganville issue not non-bogenians
[03:12:26] and I guess that was one of those
[03:12:28] dilemmas at that time because such a
[03:12:31] difficult matter for a Bananville and
[03:12:33] minister for Bowenville to take charge
[03:12:35] of the issues and I think that's another
[03:12:38] lesson that uh we have learned.
[03:12:44] Four presidents of the autonomous region
[03:12:46] of Borganville precided over this issue.
[03:12:51] Eight prime ministers and you are the
[03:12:53] eighth. And I want to acknowledge the
[03:12:57] the three other presidents of the
[03:13:00] autonomous region of Boanville.
[03:13:03] The late honorable Joseph Kabui, he took
[03:13:06] the initial leadership in this.
[03:13:10] And then after he passed on, the
[03:13:12] honorable James Tanis, young leader,
[03:13:16] and then uh honorable John Mish came in
[03:13:20] and now President Obama with this
[03:13:23] important uh issue of the post
[03:13:27] referendum process, the final peace
[03:13:30] process.
[03:13:32] For me, it was a very very proud moment,
[03:13:35] not only as a Ban Billian by the
[03:13:38] Constitution, but as a Papu New Guineian
[03:13:43] when the final result of the referendum
[03:13:47] vote was handed over to you.
[03:13:51] Today, the world is crying for peace.
[03:13:56] In the other side of the world, bombs
[03:14:00] and missiles and drones are firing at
[03:14:02] each other between countries.
[03:14:06] But in this side of the world, we have a
[03:14:09] wonderful light at the end of that
[03:14:11] tunnel where the globe is looking for
[03:14:13] peace in the world.
[03:14:16] We as Papa New Guineians must be proud
[03:14:19] today
[03:14:21] that we actually
[03:14:24] proudly
[03:14:26] managed and concluded a peace agreement
[03:14:29] where many parts of the world many peace
[03:14:33] agreements were never complied with
[03:14:36] concluded or concluded successfully.
[03:14:40] And so today
[03:14:43] I want to tell all papu and new guinians
[03:14:46] and including
[03:14:48] because they are still papu and new
[03:14:50] guinians.
[03:14:52] They are not a separate country yet. So
[03:14:54] all of us in Papa New Guinea inclusive
[03:14:58] of Borgan villians, we must today stand
[03:15:01] proud
[03:15:04] despite our diversity in many many
[03:15:08] traditions and cultures and languages.
[03:15:11] This was something the grand chief
[03:15:13] dreamed about that despite our
[03:15:16] diversity, diversity was the basis of
[03:15:20] our unity.
[03:15:23] I'm something true here
[03:15:25] and we sold it
[03:15:29] after the mandate was given and it was a
[03:15:32] actually and in my note that I have
[03:15:36] written the 97.7%
[03:15:39] vote in favor of referendum
[03:15:42] is a very very strong and very very
[03:15:45] heavy mandate
[03:15:48] strong plan a heavy mandate yeah 97.7%
[03:15:52] %
[03:15:54] only 2.3% voted for the second option
[03:15:57] greater autonomy
[03:15:59] 87% of the people turned up those who
[03:16:02] were enrolled 87%
[03:16:06] this year come
[03:16:14] at the same time and this is what makes
[03:16:16] me a very proud papa New Guinian
[03:16:19] the agreement says is that the
[03:16:23] parliament,
[03:16:24] the national parliament of Papa New
[03:16:26] Guinea has the final legal authority.
[03:16:33] I mean, look at it. Not many countries
[03:16:35] in the world adhere to this
[03:16:38] democratically pronounced processes.
[03:16:44] We must be proud papinians
[03:16:47] that he behind him democratic process.
[03:16:52] >> While the heavy mandate was given in the
[03:16:55] referendum
[03:16:57] the legal authority remains with the
[03:17:00] national parliament of purpose
[03:17:05] proud
[03:17:07] behind him law. How many times we have
[03:17:11] argued about ourselves uh lead us not
[03:17:15] complying what one time law but in the
[03:17:17] bigger things in the big picture I want
[03:17:21] to point to papa new let us be proud
[03:17:24] today
[03:17:24] >> yes
[03:17:25] >> let us be proud today that we are now
[03:17:28] debating this soal very sensitive issue
[03:17:33] on the future political status of
[03:17:35] Bohanville
[03:17:37] without the barrel of the hand now.
[03:17:40] >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
[03:17:42] >> It's because something it makes me proud
[03:17:46] papa nuggin and I would declare to
[03:17:48] become papa nugan until I am called by
[03:17:51] the lord home.
[03:17:52] >> Thank you. I want to call upon every
[03:17:54] citizen of this country that you must be
[03:17:57] proud papa New Guinians. No matter how
[03:18:00] matter we govel.
[03:18:06] No, no, no. We are proud papers
[03:18:09] demonstrated today.
[03:18:11] >> Thank you.
[03:18:12] >> By peacefully adhering to the spirit of
[03:18:16] peace that was prescribed in the
[03:18:18] Boganville agreement
[03:18:20] 2001.
[03:18:23] I want to emphasize this. And so in the
[03:18:25] spirit
[03:18:27] whatever the way this honorable legal
[03:18:30] authority votes
[03:18:32] have same peace by managing
[03:18:36] and so the decision under prime minister
[03:18:40] honorable James Mar and president
[03:18:42] honorable toama
[03:18:45] law New Zealand law melanian agreement
[03:18:48] yeah we must conclude this by 2027 and
[03:18:51] know that's a big decision
[03:18:54] Good politician.
[03:18:56] At one time the honorable Masad briefed
[03:18:59] us at the state function room and this
[03:19:02] is what he said and I quote
[03:19:13] Yeah. Why you brought us so close to the
[03:19:16] well and you are not giving us a cup of
[03:19:19] water?
[03:19:22] We have come so far in the well and the
[03:19:26] question is
[03:19:28] honorable Masad is not in the chamber
[03:19:30] but he's listening. You know one cup by
[03:19:33] me give him two three trip. Yeah
[03:19:38] forever. It's an enduring relationship.
[03:19:43] is forever. I will allow you to come to
[03:19:45] that world forever.
[03:19:49] That's the relationship that I I want to
[03:19:51] promote with the mainland of Boganville.
[03:19:55] Mainland and Boganville. It's an
[03:19:57] enduring relationship.
[03:20:00] >> So whatever we process on the floor,
[03:20:03] even parade, parliament has to make the
[03:20:07] decision. It must play its legal
[03:20:09] authority over the referendum result.
[03:20:12] And we know how to manage the post
[03:20:14] referendum decision by this honorable
[03:20:17] house
[03:20:18] manua and you mara
[03:20:24] and so I'm calling upon no more delays
[03:20:28] but I support the call by the honorable
[03:20:31] governor for east.
[03:20:34] Let us define a timeline process
[03:20:39] so that we know everybody in the country
[03:20:42] know that when we come to that sitting
[03:20:45] of parliament this is the agenda of
[03:20:47] Boganville that the parliament will deal
[03:20:50] with.
[03:20:52] >> This should be our priority now.
[03:20:54] >> Yeah. this sitting of parliament. Next
[03:20:56] sitting of parliament up to September
[03:20:59] independence 16th September this year
[03:21:03] the first year of our nextif 50 year
[03:21:06] walk as a as a nation that we should
[03:21:10] really plot it out and then we come and
[03:21:13] debate and make a decision. I know some
[03:21:17] of you as governors will go and consult
[03:21:19] your people.
[03:21:21] Some of you may not do that very well
[03:21:23] but we are all mandated equally
[03:21:26] mandated. We rep I represent the people
[03:21:28] of above.
[03:21:30] We represent we are mandated under the
[03:21:33] constitutional process of elections and
[03:21:36] whatever decision this honorable
[03:21:39] parliament makes.
[03:21:43] as long as
[03:21:46] the last sentence of the chairman's
[03:21:50] report is complied with and I want to
[03:21:53] read it as part of as a member of the
[03:21:56] parliamentary committee the last
[03:21:58] sentence of this report page 26 reads
[03:22:03] like this
[03:22:06] it this report reflects a shared public
[03:22:10] expectation
[03:22:12] that this Citizens on Borganville's
[03:22:14] political future will be made with care,
[03:22:18] responsibility, and respect for both
[03:22:21] democratic expression and constitutional
[03:22:24] order and with unwavering commitment to
[03:22:28] sustaining peace in Papua, New Guinea.
[03:22:33] That's the conclusion of the entire
[03:22:36] process.
[03:22:38] And
[03:22:41] I
[03:22:43] am a proud Papa New Guinean to be part
[03:22:46] of this peaceful process.
[03:22:50] And I want to say this,
[03:22:53] I will debate later in the other
[03:22:56] presentations. But I want to say two
[03:22:59] things.
[03:23:01] one through you the B speaker
[03:23:06] the sessional order
[03:23:10] I don't want our speaker of the national
[03:23:14] parliament and his cler
[03:23:17] and his advisor
[03:23:19] to
[03:23:22] bring the sessional order according to
[03:23:24] their understanding
[03:23:27] the melanian agreement clearly say is
[03:23:31] that it has to be consulted with both
[03:23:34] speakers
[03:23:35] of the two houses here in the national
[03:23:40] parliament and the constitual assembly
[03:23:42] of Borganville. And so I strongly
[03:23:45] recommend that that be concluded and the
[03:23:47] parliamentary committee will make sure
[03:23:49] that that process is properly concluded
[03:23:52] because that is the vehicle under which
[03:23:57] the how the parliament will process the
[03:24:00] entire whatever vote or how the house
[03:24:04] will handle it. So I strongly recommend
[03:24:07] that that consultation must not be
[03:24:10] shortcut that it must be concluded and
[03:24:14] then we come and debate whatever is
[03:24:17] agreed between the two speakers and the
[03:24:19] two houses and the parliament then this
[03:24:22] parliament can decide what is the
[03:24:25] structure of the final version of the
[03:24:28] sessional order that we must adopt in
[03:24:31] order for us to finalize the decision.
[03:24:41] I want to say this and sit down.
[03:24:46] The decision
[03:24:51] rest with this parliament
[03:24:55] but it must be a decision
[03:24:58] based on preparation
[03:25:02] not by pressure
[03:25:05] not by force
[03:25:07] not by anything but it must be based on
[03:25:10] preparations.
[03:25:12] Thank you Mr.
[03:25:14] >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
[03:25:16] member for Elu Panga.
[03:25:19] >> Uh thank you uh Mr. Deputy Speaker.
[03:25:22] Thank you for giving me the opportunity
[03:25:24] to contribute to this debate. But
[03:25:27] firstly uh let me uh acknowledge the
[03:25:30] presence of the vice president of uh ABG
[03:25:32] and his delegation
[03:25:34] and of course the uh mothers of
[03:25:36] Bogenville who are here with us today.
[03:25:39] Uh thank you for uh your presence in
[03:25:41] this honorable house.
[03:25:43] Uh also I extend my appreciation like
[03:25:46] other members to the chairman of the
[03:25:48] committee and deputy chairman and the
[03:25:50] members of the committee uh for the
[03:25:53] excellent uh report that they presented
[03:25:56] to this honorable house and uh
[03:25:59] especially the uh contributions by prime
[03:26:02] minister Marappe and President Toama and
[03:26:05] Minister Makiba
[03:26:07] uh I think you know they've uh put in a
[03:26:09] tremendous effort into ensuring uring
[03:26:12] that uh the continuity of the
[03:26:14] discussions on Benville peace agreement
[03:26:17] continues and uh and it is certainly not
[03:26:21] been a difficult issue.
[03:26:25] I want to say that uh you know papinians
[03:26:28] should be proud of themselves.
[03:26:30] This is uh not an issue that uh we
[03:26:33] should be embarrassed about or feel
[03:26:35] guilty about.
[03:26:38] Many governments
[03:26:41] since the peace agreement in 2001
[03:26:44] have contributed immensely to trying to
[03:26:47] manage this very difficult issue
[03:26:50] and credit must go to them.
[03:26:54] We have given all the effort that we
[03:26:56] can.
[03:26:58] We've put in uh many uh hours and many
[03:27:00] days and of course lot of resources
[03:27:04] budget allocations and Bowmanville has
[03:27:06] always featured prominently in those
[03:27:10] allocations by all governments
[03:27:12] and that is why I thank the government
[03:27:14] that you know uh the agreements that
[03:27:17] they have done uh there needs to be a
[03:27:19] conclusion of this issue and the time
[03:27:22] frame that they have set to under the
[03:27:24] Melanesian agreement in New Zealand
[03:27:28] is timely that uh we should uh conclude
[03:27:30] this by 2027 and hopefully before the
[03:27:33] elections Mr. Speaker
[03:27:36] but you know uh none of us were there in
[03:27:39] 2001 and be before that uh to witness
[03:27:43] the peace agreements and the intentions
[03:27:46] behind the peace agreement. So we cannot
[03:27:49] speak for them but we can only try and
[03:27:52] interpret what their thinking was.
[03:27:55] I think if many of us can recall many of
[03:27:57] the participants in that peace agreement
[03:28:00] were the framers of our constitution as
[03:28:03] well.
[03:28:04] They understood very well the functions
[03:28:07] and the provisions of the constitution
[03:28:10] and yet they invoked this particular
[03:28:12] peace agreement into our constitution to
[03:28:15] try and mitigate the issue of Bogenville
[03:28:18] and the crisis that it was facing.
[03:28:21] And and Mr. Speaker, I see the
[03:28:23] committee's report
[03:28:25] that it says that uh this is the spirit
[03:28:29] of the Bolenville peace agreement that
[03:28:30] they have gone about consulting our
[03:28:33] people in locations throughout the
[03:28:35] country and it captures in one of the
[03:28:37] one of the statements it says that you
[03:28:40] know Benville peace agreement served as
[03:28:43] a political statement settlement
[03:28:46] and it was a framework for peace
[03:28:48] building
[03:28:50] but uh it goes further on to emphasize
[03:28:52] ize
[03:28:54] that it was all about reconciliation,
[03:28:58] partnership and inclusiveness
[03:29:02] and that was the balance that it was
[03:29:04] seeking this peace agreement was
[03:29:06] seeking.
[03:29:07] So m miss uh deputy speaker why I say
[03:29:11] this is that you know when we were in
[03:29:15] government we approved the uh conduct of
[03:29:18] the referendum knowing very well the
[03:29:21] outcome will be Mr. Speaker, we are not
[03:29:23] naive to the issues that we have been
[03:29:25] raised in Bogenville
[03:29:27] knowing that uh Bogenville will vote for
[03:29:29] independence even though the question
[03:29:31] was put to them and now that uh you know
[03:29:35] Morabia government is uh in carriage of
[03:29:37] that referendum we understand the
[03:29:39] difficulties that it is going through
[03:29:43] uh about the decision that the
[03:29:45] parliament has to make
[03:29:48] and uh we have to understand that the
[03:29:51] the framers of The Bogenville peace
[03:29:53] agreement gave us options
[03:29:57] and that options are not only for
[03:29:58] Bogenvilleians also for Papuini as well.
[03:30:03] It gives us this parliament the right to
[03:30:05] say no if we have to and right to say
[03:30:08] yes.
[03:30:11] Now the question is are we all going to
[03:30:13] accept that?
[03:30:17] That is the question.
[03:30:19] Now I understand that our committee has
[03:30:22] gone through many locations around it
[03:30:23] but it's only gone through seven
[03:30:25] locations.
[03:30:27] Now we have a nation of millions of
[03:30:29] people
[03:30:31] and I understand that uh you know some
[03:30:33] of us did not go to the elections and
[03:30:35] get the mandate from people to vote on
[03:30:37] this
[03:30:39] and I don't think the government was
[03:30:41] given the mandate to vote on this. So I
[03:30:43] understand the difficulties.
[03:30:45] So I think you know if we say that we
[03:30:47] must have a few more weeks or months to
[03:30:50] try and get uh some kind of consultation
[03:30:53] with our own people going is again a
[03:30:56] genuine call
[03:30:58] and uh I think that uh you know the
[03:31:01] framers of the constitution also know
[03:31:03] very well any referendum put forward
[03:31:06] under the constitution has got to go to
[03:31:08] the entire country
[03:31:11] and that did not happen in the Benville
[03:31:12] case because of the Bogenville peace
[03:31:15] agreement. ment and that is
[03:31:16] understandable.
[03:31:18] But that peace agreement also gave this
[03:31:22] parliament which represent the entire
[03:31:23] country an opportunity to consult its
[03:31:26] people
[03:31:28] and we have done it through the
[03:31:29] committee. But going to seven locations
[03:31:31] does not give us a clear picture of what
[03:31:34] our people want but it guides us
[03:31:38] and the report suggests to me that our
[03:31:42] people's wish is very clear
[03:31:45] through the committee. They are saying
[03:31:47] that they want peace and stability
[03:31:51] and that is the same message we are
[03:31:53] getting from the Banville peace
[03:31:54] agreement
[03:31:57] and they want constitutional process.
[03:32:00] We must follow the constitution
[03:32:03] and constitution rightly says the final
[03:32:05] decision is of this parliament
[03:32:10] and I am hoping that you know that
[03:32:12] everyone will respect the decision of
[03:32:14] the parliament.
[03:32:16] And of course
[03:32:19] we are yet to find out when the
[03:32:21] parliament makes the decision either way
[03:32:24] our people are saying that what are the
[03:32:27] future arrangements.
[03:32:30] This is what the committee's report is
[03:32:32] saying.
[03:32:34] So I just want to uh put to our house
[03:32:37] that you know let us listen to what our
[03:32:40] people are wanting and if we give
[03:32:43] clarity to that the decision will be
[03:32:44] easier.
[03:32:47] You know we are all emotionally attached
[03:32:49] to this issue about Bogenville and some
[03:32:53] of us have got our own personal
[03:32:55] decisions that we can make but I'm not
[03:32:58] here representing myself.
[03:33:01] I'm here representing my people. My
[03:33:04] people need to give me that assurance
[03:33:06] that after my consultation that I am
[03:33:09] making the right decision that they
[03:33:11] want.
[03:33:13] So I think that you know Evan Bogenville
[03:33:17] as part of uh the referendum decision
[03:33:20] and moving forward we need to also
[03:33:23] understand that this particular vote or
[03:33:26] decision that the parliament will make
[03:33:28] has greater ramifications for the
[03:33:30] country. our country as a whole going
[03:33:33] forward.
[03:33:36] Now, aspirations for self-determination
[03:33:38] is not only for Bogenville. It's not
[03:33:40] isolated to Bogenville.
[03:33:42] There are some other provinces and
[03:33:44] ethnic groupings in the country are
[03:33:46] aspiring for the same thing.
[03:33:51] Now, how does the leaders and parliament
[03:33:53] manage that?
[03:33:56] And I think
[03:33:58] the relationship with Morganville going
[03:34:00] into the future as our consultation
[03:34:02] process is demanding.
[03:34:05] We have Morganians who are married to
[03:34:07] Papa New Guinians, Papa Newians who are
[03:34:08] married to Morgan villians. We've got
[03:34:10] grandchildren and families everywhere.
[03:34:15] While there may be some clarity given in
[03:34:17] the Bogenville constitution, the rest of
[03:34:19] the country does not know
[03:34:22] how are they going to be treated.
[03:34:26] How is their citizenship going to be
[03:34:28] affected? How is their economic
[03:34:30] well-being is going to be affected?
[03:34:33] So these are questions still
[03:34:34] outstanding. I am not putting this
[03:34:37] forward to defer debate or defare the
[03:34:39] vote. Mr. Speaker,
[03:34:42] I am just putting highlighting some
[03:34:44] practical difficulties leaders are
[03:34:46] facing in the carriage of taking out
[03:34:49] this vote or debating this issue.
[03:34:53] So Mr. Speaker, whilst uh the challenge
[03:34:59] ahead for us is to try and manage
[03:35:02] expectations, I think it is very
[03:35:04] important that we don't forget that we
[03:35:06] have a country.
[03:35:09] We have a country that is got Bogenville
[03:35:12] at heart.
[03:35:15] The Bogenvilleians received the biggest
[03:35:17] chunk of budget in every budget that
[03:35:19] I've I can recall since being elected to
[03:35:22] this honorable house.
[03:35:25] But to say that to to say it for a fact,
[03:35:28] I am also equally very disappointed
[03:35:30] about management of that funds as well.
[03:35:34] There is no comfort given to me that it
[03:35:37] has been managed well.
[03:35:40] issues about disarmament and and arms
[03:35:44] disposal that has not been completed to
[03:35:46] the satisfaction of the rest of us or
[03:35:49] rest of the country or to the Bergen
[03:35:50] villains themselves.
[03:35:54] There's rule of law in question,
[03:35:56] economic well-being is in question
[03:36:00] and yet you know we put our political uh
[03:36:03] debates ahead of this.
[03:36:06] So Mr. Mr. Speaker, I think you know
[03:36:07] it's only fair to the nation that
[03:36:10] sometimes the nation been
[03:36:13] procrastinating on decisions like that.
[03:36:16] It is finding itself in a difficult
[03:36:18] position.
[03:36:19] It's not an easy decision to just stand
[03:36:21] up here and take a vote.
[03:36:26] And I urge all members of parliament to
[03:36:29] give consideration to the well-being of
[03:36:31] our nation into the future.
[03:36:34] we are not going to be here.
[03:36:37] And the framers of both the constitution
[03:36:39] and the benwood peace agreement is very
[03:36:41] clear in their thinking.
[03:36:44] They want this country to remain united.
[03:36:46] They want Bogenville to have some self
[03:36:49] self-determination
[03:36:51] and we must find a balance
[03:36:54] and the balance is there that you have
[03:36:56] framed it in New Zealand in 2025
[03:36:59] in June what you call a melanian
[03:37:02] agreement.
[03:37:04] The opportunities are there for you to
[03:37:06] frame it.
[03:37:08] You know, Melanians are not only in Papa
[03:37:10] Nugini and Bogenville.
[03:37:12] They are across the border. They are in
[03:37:14] Solomon's and Vanuatu and Fiji.
[03:37:17] This may be giving you a greater
[03:37:19] opportunity for greater question as to
[03:37:22] how you can frame them into this
[03:37:24] picture.
[03:37:26] You look at other countries around the
[03:37:28] world, they're getting closer. They're
[03:37:30] not dividing.
[03:37:33] European Union has become a powerhouse
[03:37:35] because they are together, economic
[03:37:37] powerhouse
[03:37:40] and trying to go alone sometimes is okay
[03:37:42] but it is an uphill battle.
[03:37:45] So the Melanesian agreement framed in
[03:37:47] New Zealand also gives you an
[03:37:49] opportunity
[03:37:50] you know it says about greater potential
[03:37:52] for melanian and existence and
[03:37:54] Melanesian countries.
[03:37:58] Now there are some answers in there
[03:37:59] somewhere that I think you know our
[03:38:01] thinkers and advisers need to find a way
[03:38:04] that fair enough if Bogenville gets
[03:38:06] independent how are we going to coexist?
[03:38:10] Some of these questions needs to be
[03:38:12] answered. Some of these questions needs
[03:38:13] to be settled before we take a vote.
[03:38:16] Otherwise, we take a vote and once the
[03:38:18] vote is taken, you have no say.
[03:38:23] You you have no no input in what's how
[03:38:26] the country is framed or how the
[03:38:28] relationship is framed.
[03:38:30] So, Mr. Mr. Speaker, I urge that uh you
[03:38:33] know we uh give members a little bit of
[03:38:35] time and I grateful that the minister
[03:38:37] stated that he will bring in the the
[03:38:40] question of the uh the orders sessional
[03:38:43] orders to parliament next week. That
[03:38:46] gives us a bit of time to consult uh
[03:38:48] some of our electorates and especially
[03:38:50] our council presidents and their
[03:38:51] counselors. They just recently been
[03:38:54] elected. So hopefully we can be able to
[03:38:56] get some guidance from them and they
[03:38:58] will say yes I'm all right like oh you
[03:39:01] going to vote we'll come and vote if
[03:39:04] they say no we'll come and tell the
[03:39:06] nation why would they say no but you
[03:39:08] know it is a decision that is not an
[03:39:10] easy one Mr. speaker and I urge that you
[03:39:13] know we think it through carefully and
[03:39:15] you know now yet now yet
[03:39:18] we have to do it properly so we
[03:39:21] understand and I am very you know
[03:39:24] supportive of the self-determination
[03:39:26] rights of Benvilleians or anyone else
[03:39:29] but you know let's do it together so
[03:39:31] that papa nugini is stable papin is
[03:39:33] peaceful thank you Mr.
[03:39:37] the honorable uh member for uh the
[03:39:39] honorable minister for culture.
[03:39:44] Thank you uh thank you Mr. Speaker Mr.
[03:39:48] Mr. Speaker
[03:39:51] before me talk uh I would like to
[03:39:54] see parliament
[03:39:57] to give me uh extended time should I uh
[03:39:59] run out of time delivering this very
[03:40:02] important uh statement in parliament. I
[03:40:06] feel it is important because uh what I
[03:40:10] will say will have a lot of bearing on
[03:40:12] how we take vote
[03:40:14] on the future of Bogenville and the
[03:40:16] unity of Papa New Guina.
[03:40:20] Honorable minister, um I would not allow
[03:40:24] you to go beyond 20 minutes. Uh the 20
[03:40:27] minutes time will be given to you and if
[03:40:29] you still have the uh remaining uh
[03:40:33] speech to say as I've alluded earlier
[03:40:36] that we will still have the debate
[03:40:38] continue uh the chair can recognize you
[03:40:40] in the second debate of the to complete
[03:40:43] your statement.
[03:40:44] >> Thank you. Thank you Mr. Mr. Speaker.
[03:40:47] Mr. Speaker, let me first uh thank the
[03:40:50] chairman of the bipartisan committee,
[03:40:52] the honorable Dr. Alan Marat for
[03:40:55] presenting to this parliament the report
[03:40:58] and also our good hardworking minister
[03:41:00] for Bogenville affairs, the honorable uh
[03:41:04] minister Malis Makipa.
[03:41:07] I also want to acknowledge the vice
[03:41:09] president of Bogenville and the leaders
[03:41:11] of Bogenville who are seated in the
[03:41:12] gallery today.
[03:41:15] Mr. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on one
[03:41:18] of the most important issues that this
[03:41:21] parliament and indeed our nation will
[03:41:23] ever confront in our lifetime.
[03:41:27] The future of Bogenville and the
[03:41:28] question of the Bogenville referendum.
[03:41:33] This is not simp simply a political
[03:41:35] issue, Mr. uh Mr. Speaker. It is it is
[03:41:38] an issue of national sovereignty.
[03:41:41] It is an issue of constitutional
[03:41:43] integrity.
[03:41:45] It is an issue of peace, unity,
[03:41:48] sacrifice and the future of future
[03:41:50] survival of Papini as one indivisible
[03:41:54] nation.
[03:41:56] Mr. Speaker, I stand here not merely as
[03:41:58] a member of parliament. I stand here as
[03:42:01] a papuinian. I stand here as a former
[03:42:04] military officer who witnessed firsthand
[03:42:08] the horrors, pain and the destruction of
[03:42:11] Bogenville crisis.
[03:42:13] I stand here as a person who saw young
[03:42:16] papinians dies defending the sovereignty
[03:42:19] and territorial integrity of our nation.
[03:42:24] Today I speak not out of disdain for
[03:42:27] Bogenville. I speak out of love for
[03:42:29] Bogenville and Papa Nigini.
[03:42:32] Section two of the constitution and the
[03:42:35] territorial integrity of Papaini. Mr.
[03:42:37] Speaker,
[03:42:39] section two of our constitution clearly
[03:42:41] establishes the absolute sovereignty of
[03:42:44] Papa New Guinea and defines the
[03:42:46] territorial boundaries of our
[03:42:48] independent state. Bogenville is not a
[03:42:51] foreign country.
[03:42:53] Bogenville is part of the absolute
[03:42:56] sovereign territory of Papa Guini. Mr.
[03:42:59] Speaker,
[03:43:01] when our founding fathers officially
[03:43:04] adopted our constitution
[03:43:06] by constitution assembly on August 15th,
[03:43:09] 1975,
[03:43:11] which officially came into effect a
[03:43:13] month later on the 16th of September,
[03:43:16] 1975, coinciding our with our country's
[03:43:19] independence on that day, Bogenville
[03:43:22] formed part of the independent state of
[03:43:24] Papa Newu Guini. That constitutional
[03:43:27] position remains in effect today.
[03:43:31] No parliament should lightly surrender
[03:43:34] the sovereign territory territorial
[03:43:36] boundaries of our nation. No generation
[03:43:39] of leaders should become the generation
[03:43:42] remembered for preciding over the
[03:43:45] dismemberment of Papa New Guinea. Mr.
[03:43:48] Speaker, our flag, our constitution, our
[03:43:52] sovereignty were built upon sacrifice.
[03:43:56] Many lives were lost to preserve this
[03:43:58] country. That sovereignty must never be
[03:44:01] weakened by political pressure,
[03:44:04] emotional rhetoric or foreign influence.
[03:44:09] The origins of Bogenville crisis, Mr.
[03:44:11] Speaker, to properly understand where we
[03:44:15] are today, we must honestly reflect on
[03:44:17] how Bogenville crisis began.
[03:44:21] The roots of Bogenville crisis were
[03:44:23] complex. They involved grievances over
[03:44:26] the Panguna mine, environmental
[03:44:29] destruction, land owner compensation,
[03:44:32] identity and distribution of wealth.
[03:44:36] But there were also political failures.
[03:44:39] The crisis escalated in 1998
[03:44:43] during the period when the Bangalled
[03:44:45] government was in power under the prime
[03:44:48] ministership of Sir Robin Namalu. The
[03:44:51] state response
[03:44:53] 1988 pardon me in 1998.
[03:44:58] The state response at the time was
[03:45:00] inconsistent,
[03:45:02] reactive and at times disconnected from
[03:45:06] the realities on the ground. Mr.
[03:45:08] Speaker, I was actually doing my year 12
[03:45:11] in Sbury National High School when the
[03:45:13] crisis bogan crisis excellate escalated.
[03:45:18] The land owners wanted their fair share
[03:45:20] of wealth
[03:45:22] generated from Panguna mine and 10
[03:45:25] million killer compensation for
[03:45:26] environmental pollution especially on
[03:45:28] the Jaba river and the villages in the
[03:45:31] mine area. Instead, the government sent
[03:45:34] in riot squads, destroyed villages,
[03:45:36] assaulted women and children. That's
[03:45:39] when Bogenville men took up arms to
[03:45:41] defend their woman folks because most
[03:45:43] parts of Bogenville or the island of
[03:45:45] Bogenville are metal society and women
[03:45:50] are the stronghold of Bogenville society
[03:45:52] and committees communities.
[03:45:55] It was never about breaking away from
[03:45:57] Papa Nugini and that must be very
[03:46:00] important basis for this debate. It was
[03:46:04] never about breaking away from Papa
[03:46:06] Nugini. It was never about political
[03:46:09] independence.
[03:46:10] But the nation suffered greatly as the
[03:46:13] conflict escalated into a civil war.
[03:46:15] Thousands of innocent lives were lost.
[03:46:18] Entire communities were destroyed.
[03:46:20] Families were divided. The economy
[03:46:23] suffered. The Paponi Defense Force,
[03:46:26] police force, correctional services
[03:46:27] institutions suffered. Bogen villian
[03:46:30] suffered. Paponi as a country suffered
[03:46:33] greatly. There were no winners at the
[03:46:36] end. Mr. Speaker, there were only
[03:46:38] survivors. I am one of the living
[03:46:40] testimonies of a survivor.
[03:46:44] So as many of my colleagues or comrades
[03:46:46] including the Bobians,
[03:46:48] I still carry pellets in my gun from the
[03:46:52] gunsword wound in my body today. Mr.
[03:46:54] Speaker, and so as many of my colleagues
[03:46:57] and other brothers and sist and our
[03:46:59] brothers and sisters of Bogenville, in
[03:47:02] 2001, the Bogenville peace agreement
[03:47:04] ended the crisis and set the framework
[03:47:08] for peace by peaceful means under the
[03:47:10] constitution of Paponi.
[03:47:12] Mr. Speaker, today history presents a
[03:47:16] remarkable situation. The same political
[03:47:19] party once again finds itself at the
[03:47:22] center of determining the future of
[03:47:24] Benfield. Under our prime minister,
[03:47:26] Honorable James Marabe, the government
[03:47:29] now faces the responsibility of deciding
[03:47:31] whether the territorial boundaries of
[03:47:33] Papa New Guinea should remain intact or
[03:47:36] be permanently altered. I want to take
[03:47:39] this time, this special moment in
[03:47:42] history to thank our prime minister,
[03:47:44] honorable James Mar for his bold
[03:47:46] leadership to finally bringing this
[03:47:49] matter to parliament with a resolve to
[03:47:52] permanently put the put this matter to
[03:47:55] an end. My beloved prime minister,
[03:47:57] brother and prime minister, I salute you
[03:48:00] for that decision. I salute you for
[03:48:02] being decisive in your resolve to
[03:48:05] finally and permanently put this matter
[03:48:07] to rest.
[03:48:08] You are and you will be forever be
[03:48:12] remembered as our champion including all
[03:48:14] of our colleague members of parliament
[03:48:16] on both sides of the house sitting
[03:48:19] today. This includes the regional
[03:48:21] members of all the 22 provinces, the
[03:48:24] open members of parliament and of course
[03:48:26] those of us who have the privilege of
[03:48:29] serving as ministers under the
[03:48:30] leadership of our prime minister Chief
[03:48:32] uh Chief uh James Morappi. Credit also
[03:48:36] must be given to the six successive
[03:48:38] governments and the parliament before
[03:48:40] us.
[03:48:42] This decision is larger than politics.
[03:48:45] Mr. Speaker, it is larger than
[03:48:47] personalities. It is larger than any one
[03:48:50] government.
[03:48:52] It is a decision that will define our
[03:48:55] nation forever. Mr. Speaker,
[03:48:58] my personal reflections, Mr. Speaker, I
[03:49:00] wish to speak personally on my personal
[03:49:03] reflections as a former military officer
[03:49:06] and Bogenville civil war veteran. As a
[03:49:09] former officer of the Papin Defense
[03:49:10] Force, I witnessed the realities of
[03:49:13] Bogenville crisis.
[03:49:15] I saw young soldiers
[03:49:18] with our counterparts from the police
[03:49:20] force and the correctional services
[03:49:23] deployed into Bogenville into dangerous
[03:49:26] and most difficult conditions. I saw the
[03:49:28] emotional trauma carried by our
[03:49:31] servicemen.
[03:49:33] Mr. Speaker, the first soldier who lost
[03:49:36] his life on Bogenville was second left
[03:49:40] tenant Yandu from Wasaragawi in Isipic
[03:49:43] province. That was the sacrifice.
[03:49:46] Mr. Speaker, I saw resistant fighters
[03:49:48] who fought alongside public defense
[03:49:50] forceful soldiers to protect the
[03:49:53] constitution so constitutional
[03:49:55] sovereignty and territory of our
[03:49:57] country.
[03:49:59] Mr. Speaker,
[03:50:02] I saw young soldiers
[03:50:06] die in Bogenville.
[03:50:09] War, Mr. Speaker, war is not a theory.
[03:50:13] War is not politics. War is human
[03:50:16] suffering.
[03:50:21] Many who spoke before before me, who
[03:50:24] spoke today and who will speak later in
[03:50:27] this parliament, Mr. Speaker,
[03:50:31] were not there. Many did not carry
[03:50:34] weapons. Many did not bury France. Many
[03:50:38] did not witness the pain endured by both
[03:50:40] Bogen villians and members of the
[03:50:42] security forces. I did, Mr. Speaker.
[03:50:46] I also reflect on the Sline affair or
[03:50:48] the Sline crisis. As as we all know, the
[03:50:51] Sline crisis represented one of the
[03:50:54] darkest constitutional moments in our
[03:50:56] nation's history. The decision to engage
[03:50:59] foreign missionaries to interfere in
[03:51:02] Bogenville created a dangerous
[03:51:05] constitutional and political crisis.
[03:51:08] At the mercenaries God on Bogenville,
[03:51:10] the situation would have been more
[03:51:12] bloodier than it was already.
[03:51:15] I believe some of the Bogenvilleian
[03:51:17] leaders including President Torama,
[03:51:19] Ismile Tora and Islad and others would
[03:51:24] probably not be here alive here today.
[03:51:27] That's a fact.
[03:51:29] These mercenaries were ruthless and
[03:51:31] merciless
[03:51:33] and follow no rules of war.
[03:51:36] Had the mercenaries
[03:51:39] God and Bogenville situation would have
[03:51:41] been worse.
[03:51:43] At that time many of us believe strongly
[03:51:46] that Papa Nuginians Papa Nugini
[03:51:48] sovereignty and democratic institutions
[03:51:51] were being undermined. The nation stood
[03:51:53] at the edge of instability.
[03:51:56] My colleagues, Major Walter Enuma,
[03:51:59] Captain Bola Reagi, Colonel Max Ali Ali,
[03:52:03] Major Charlie Andrews, Captain Late
[03:52:05] Captain Boris Aetta, Late Captain Phy,
[03:52:10] Late uh Left Colonel Michael David,
[03:52:14] Captain James Pa, Captain Paul Bogar,
[03:52:18] Major General Jerry Singro, Left Lun
[03:52:21] Luna Osaba,
[03:52:24] just just to name a few.
[03:52:27] Mr. Speaker, we all participated to save
[03:52:31] the lives on Bogenville because we love
[03:52:33] the Bogen Billians.
[03:52:37] I salute those of my colleagues for the
[03:52:40] bold stand we took to remove the
[03:52:43] mercenaries from our country.
[03:52:46] I believed our nation prevented further
[03:52:48] bloodshed and devastation on Bogenville.
[03:52:51] But we were banished to Bumana maximum
[03:52:55] maximum security prison only to be later
[03:52:58] released on parole and se after serving
[03:53:01] two and a half years in jail
[03:53:04] and later given unconditional pardon by
[03:53:06] the queen of England through advice from
[03:53:08] the head of state of Papa Guini on the
[03:53:10] 15th of September 2005.
[03:53:13] Mr. Speaker,
[03:53:16] we did it for national unity. We did it
[03:53:19] for peace and for harmony and for the
[03:53:22] love of Bogenville and Papa Newu Guini.
[03:53:26] Mr. Speaker,
[03:53:28] I want to take this special moment also
[03:53:31] to thank the National Alliance led
[03:53:33] government under the Somar Teu
[03:53:35] government's government for my freedom
[03:53:37] and the freedom of my two colleagues.
[03:53:40] I want to also thank the honorable Dr.
[03:53:44] Puketu the honorable William Duma who
[03:53:46] was then the power chairman of the power
[03:53:48] of mercy committee
[03:53:51] Mr. Mr. Patrick Pides
[03:53:54] late Dr. Lawrence Kalino and Moses
[03:53:57] Maladina for the freedom that they have
[03:54:00] given me and two of my colleagues I
[03:54:02] salute you for that decision
[03:54:05] Mr. Mr. Speaker, in 17 in in March 17,
[03:54:09] 1997
[03:54:11] was a moment in history that the country
[03:54:13] stood together in unity amidst
[03:54:16] diversity.
[03:54:17] or our complex at diversity to save our
[03:54:20] brothers and sisters on Boenville.
[03:54:24] The public servants,
[03:54:27] the three security forces united, the
[03:54:30] university students, the NOS's led by
[03:54:33] the then the uh human rights lawyer and
[03:54:38] activist
[03:54:39] Mr. Po Pakov, now the governor of NCity,
[03:54:42] the honorable Pakov, Petty Lafa, Father
[03:54:45] L. These are all men that stood with the
[03:54:48] soldiers united in one nation, one
[03:54:51] country, one people to reject the
[03:54:54] mercenaries from Bogenville uh from
[03:54:56] going to Bogenville because we believe
[03:54:58] it was morally and and ethically
[03:55:05] the right thing to do. Mr. Speaker,
[03:55:10] these BR this these mercenaries
[03:55:14] are not ordinary soldiers. They are
[03:55:17] ruthless and merciless killers.
[03:55:21] The government's bad decision
[03:55:24] took us 72 hours to arrest all the
[03:55:28] mercenaries and deport them from our
[03:55:29] country because of our love for our
[03:55:32] people on the island of Bogenville to
[03:55:34] save 360,000
[03:55:37] people on Bogenville.
[03:55:40] Mr. Speaker, March 17, 1997 will go down
[03:55:43] in history as the day when the entire
[03:55:46] nation stood together in unity to say no
[03:55:50] against the government's decision to
[03:55:53] hire mercenaries to go to Bogenville.
[03:55:55] History may not have clearly recognized
[03:55:57] and articulated the genuiness of our
[03:55:59] role in Sunline crisis, but history will
[03:56:02] certainly acknowledge crisis as the
[03:56:05] catalyst for the start of the Bogenville
[03:56:08] peace process.
[03:56:10] The lesson from Senline must never be
[03:56:14] forgotten.
[03:56:15] Bogville issues cannot be resolved
[03:56:18] through force, foreign manipulation,
[03:56:21] emotional blackmail or political
[03:56:23] intimidation.
[03:56:24] They must be resolved through the
[03:56:26] constitutional lawful process and the
[03:56:30] pre preservation of our national
[03:56:32] sovereignty.
[03:56:34] Mr. Speaker, I will now speak on the
[03:56:36] referendum result whether it reflects
[03:56:38] the true wishes of all Bogen billions.
[03:56:42] Mr. Speaker, we are constantly reminded
[03:56:45] that 97.7%
[03:56:47] voted in favor of independence during
[03:56:50] the referendum.
[03:56:52] But this parliament must carefully
[03:56:54] examine whether that result truly
[03:56:56] represents a fully informed, free and
[03:57:00] fair, balanced reflection of the wishes
[03:57:02] of our people.
[03:57:04] Mr. Speaker, referendum occurred after
[03:57:07] decades of conflict, political messaging
[03:57:10] and emotional trauma. Many Borggan
[03:57:13] understandably carry historical
[03:57:16] grievances. However, we must ask
[03:57:18] ourselves questions. Were all viewpoints
[03:57:21] equally
[03:57:23] represented? Where were those supporting
[03:57:27] continued autonomy within PNG given
[03:57:30] equal voice? Did fear, historical
[03:57:32] resentment, and political pressure
[03:57:35] influence the outcome? Did the
[03:57:37] referendum fully account for the
[03:57:40] long-term economic realities facing
[03:57:42] Bogenville? Mr. Speaker, this parliament
[03:57:45] must must also consider many boilians
[03:57:49] who continue to identify themselves
[03:57:50] proudly as Paponians. There are many who
[03:57:54] value continued partnership with Paponi.
[03:57:57] Their voices must not be ignored.
[03:58:00] Especially during the Bogu crisis and
[03:58:03] after the crisis, the referendum result
[03:58:06] was politically significant.
[03:58:09] But under the constitution, it was never
[03:58:11] intended to be automatically binding.
[03:58:15] This parliament has a solemn
[03:58:17] constitutional responsibility to
[03:58:19] independently assess what what what is
[03:58:23] in the best interest both for Bogenville
[03:58:26] and for Papa New Guinea.
[03:58:29] Mr. Speaker,
[03:58:31] on one of the most one of the most
[03:58:34] serious concerns relates to whether the
[03:58:36] conditions required under the Bongville
[03:58:39] peace agreement were fully satisfied
[03:58:41] before the referendum took place. peace
[03:58:44] agreement clearly contemplated two
[03:58:46] critical pillars and I say two critical
[03:58:49] pillars. One is the weapons disposal and
[03:58:53] to good governance.
[03:58:56] These are not mere considerations. Mr.
[03:58:58] Speaker, these are conditions
[03:59:01] that must be met before the referendum
[03:59:04] is carried out.
[03:59:07] The constitutional provisions are
[03:59:09] contained in part 14
[03:59:12] of the Bogenville referendum
[03:59:15] of which is enshrined in our
[03:59:16] constitution. Section 338
[03:59:20] and section 342.
[03:59:22] The question is were they fully
[03:59:24] complied? I say no they were never fully
[03:59:27] complied.
[03:59:28] Borgganville leaders and Borgenvilleians
[03:59:31] failed themselves in complying with
[03:59:33] those provisions of the constitution.
[03:59:35] Honorable
[03:59:38] uh minister, I interrupt you. The
[03:59:42] honorable members uh the 20 minutes
[03:59:44] given to the minister
[03:59:47] uh by hearing the uh presentation that
[03:59:50] he made in his speech gives more
[03:59:53] background to the honorable members of
[03:59:55] this parliament
[03:59:57] uh in the later debate to come. So using
[04:00:00] my discretion, I gave him another extra
[04:00:02] 10 minutes to sum up your speech.
[04:00:05] member.
[04:00:06] >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[04:00:09] Mr. Speaker, section 338 referendum to
[04:00:12] be held. Subject to this section, a
[04:00:14] referendum on the future Bogenville
[04:00:16] status. Future political status of
[04:00:19] Bogenville shall be held in accordance
[04:00:21] with this division. The referendum shall
[04:00:23] be held no later than 10 years or no
[04:00:26] later than 15 years. That has been done.
[04:00:30] Referendum shall be held sec that
[04:00:32] condition is so important. Referendum
[04:00:35] shall be held only where the conditions
[04:00:37] relating to weapons disposal.
[04:00:40] Very important. Only relating to weapons
[04:00:42] disposal and levels of good governance
[04:00:45] of Bogenville are satisfied. Were they
[04:00:48] satisfied? I said no.
[04:00:51] Section 342 of the referendum results
[04:00:54] and implementation.
[04:00:56] Mr. Speaker,
[04:00:58] I said this in my commentary that
[04:01:01] section 3 uh 338 subsection 3 is one of
[04:01:05] the most debated provisions in the
[04:01:08] current con in the current independence
[04:01:11] discussion because it expressly states
[04:01:15] that referendum shall be held only where
[04:01:18] the conditions relating to weapons
[04:01:20] disposal and levels of good governance
[04:01:23] of Bogenville are satisfied. Those
[04:01:27] who oppose immediate independence often
[04:01:31] re rely on the subsection
[04:01:35] to argue the weapons disposal was not
[04:01:37] fully completed
[04:01:40] and or good governance benchmarks were
[04:01:43] not fully achieved. The autonomous
[04:01:46] Bogenville government generally argues
[04:01:49] that the referendum was lawfully
[04:01:50] authorized. Both governments argue
[04:01:53] agreed it could proceed. International
[04:01:56] observers
[04:01:58] participated and therefore the
[04:02:00] constitutional requirements were treated
[04:02:02] as sufficiently met before the voting
[04:02:05] occurred. Section 342 is so politically
[04:02:09] sensitive because it does not expressly
[04:02:12] say parliament must approve the
[04:02:15] referendum result.
[04:02:17] It does not say parliament may reject
[04:02:20] the the referendum result.
[04:02:23] It does it does not it does not
[04:02:26] expressly say the referendum result
[04:02:29] automatically takes effect
[04:02:32] but rather it only requires consultation
[04:02:36] between national government and the
[04:02:38] Bogenville government and the
[04:02:39] presentation of the result to
[04:02:42] parliament.
[04:02:44] The issue of non-binding nature of the
[04:02:47] result of the referendum originates from
[04:02:50] this section and derives from the
[04:02:52] interpretation that presentation of the
[04:02:56] results of to parliament is the final
[04:02:59] constitutional step before the results
[04:03:01] can be of any effect until it reaches
[04:03:04] parliament. It remains of no effect and
[04:03:08] non-binding. Mr. Speaker, can anyone
[04:03:11] honestly stand in this parliament and
[04:03:13] say that all weapons were fully disposed
[04:03:16] of in Bogenville? No one can. Every even
[04:03:20] today, concerns remain regarding the
[04:03:24] presence of firearms
[04:03:26] and arm elements in in parts of
[04:03:29] Bogenville, including the so-called
[04:03:31] Meamui Defense Force in Panguna,
[04:03:33] Kongara, Kata, and Arava areas. I know
[04:03:37] this because I have been there.
[04:03:41] and Noah Musingu and his armed royal
[04:03:45] guards and youth in Siwa and Nagis areas
[04:03:48] in Bogenville are still alive and exist
[04:03:50] today. This is a serious matter. Mr.
[04:03:53] Speaker, the peace agreement did not
[04:03:56] envision a referendum occurring under
[04:04:00] conditions where weapons concerns remain
[04:04:03] unresolved.
[04:04:05] I believe the so-called weapons disposal
[04:04:08] exercise was done in haste to meet the
[04:04:11] approaching closing window of
[04:04:14] opportunity for the referendum to be
[04:04:15] held and was conveniently glossed over
[04:04:19] with the presence of so-called
[04:04:21] international observers or supervision.
[04:04:25] There was never a true weapons disposal
[04:04:28] on Bogenville. Bogenville leaders and
[04:04:30] everyone know it. They know the weapons
[04:04:34] are still in Borgenville. And so we
[04:04:36] failed that condition prescribed under
[04:04:39] the peace agreement and the
[04:04:40] constitution. Don't come to this
[04:04:42] parliament and cry when you have failed.
[04:04:46] And so Mr. Speaker, secondly, questions
[04:04:50] remain regarding governance standards.
[04:04:52] Internationalally acceptable standards
[04:04:54] of governance require strong
[04:04:56] institutions, effective rule of law,
[04:04:59] accountability, transparency, final
[04:05:02] financial integrity, stable security
[04:05:05] arrangements and effective public
[04:05:08] administration. This parliament must
[04:05:10] honestly assess whether the standards
[04:05:13] have been fully achieved.
[04:05:15] For example, I want to see all the
[04:05:18] general's report on financial
[04:05:21] performance of ABG since 2005 to
[04:05:24] understand financial integrity of the
[04:05:27] autonomous region of Bogenville. I WANT
[04:05:30] TO KNOW WHY NOAH MUSINGU, a fugitive
[04:05:32] wanted by the law in this country, has
[04:05:36] not been arrested by the Bogenville
[04:05:38] police service.
[04:05:39] No musing continues to operate his royal
[04:05:42] lioness and kingdom of papala in
[04:05:45] Bogenville. Where is the demonstration
[04:05:48] of effective rule of law on Bogenville
[04:05:51] and by the Bogenville leaders?
[04:05:54] Where is the performance report of ABG
[04:05:57] public service demonstrating effective
[04:06:00] administration service delivery and
[04:06:02] economic development since 2005? Mr.
[04:06:05] Speaker, Mr. Mr. Speaker, the issue
[04:06:08] before us is not whether Bogen villians
[04:06:10] deserve respect. They do. We have given
[04:06:13] them. We have fought for them. We died
[04:06:16] for them. We got rid of mercenaries
[04:06:18] because we love them. The issue is,
[04:06:23] have they met those requirements?
[04:06:26] The issue is whether the constitutional
[04:06:28] conditions agreed under the peace
[04:06:30] agreement were fully satisfied before
[04:06:33] any move toward referendum and
[04:06:35] independence was made.
[04:06:38] I submit that they were not fully
[04:06:40] complied with
[04:06:42] recent pronouncement and military style
[04:06:44] symbolism by the leadership of
[04:06:46] Bogenville. I WILL SAY IT. NO ONE WILL
[04:06:48] SAY IT. I WILL TELL them
[04:06:51] because I have operated in Bogenville.
[04:06:55] The recent developments,
[04:06:57] recent public announcements and
[04:06:59] appearances BY THE PRESIDENT ISMAEL
[04:07:01] TOROAMA, including references to himself
[04:07:05] in terms of associated with
[04:07:07] commanderin-chief
[04:07:09] authority AND APPEARS IN MILITARY STYLE
[04:07:11] ATTIRE raised very serious security
[04:07:13] concerns.
[04:07:15] What Bogenville Defense Force is this
[04:07:17] president of Bogenville talking about?
[04:07:21] Papa has only one lawful defense force
[04:07:24] under the constitution and one commander
[04:07:26] of the defense force that reports to the
[04:07:29] national executive council.
[04:07:32] Mr. Speaker, any political symbolism,
[04:07:35] language or conduct that suggest
[04:07:37] existence of a separate military
[04:07:39] authority within Bogenville RISKS
[04:07:42] UNDERMINING BOTH a peace agreement and
[04:07:45] the constitutional order of Papa Newu
[04:07:46] Guini.
[04:07:48] Mr. Mr. Speaker, Borgenville peace
[04:07:50] agreement was founded upon
[04:07:52] demilitarization
[04:07:54] was founded upon reconciliation and
[04:07:57] peaceful constitutional engagement. Any
[04:08:01] movement towards militar militarization,
[04:08:04] military symbolism or separatist
[04:08:07] separatist military postering is
[04:08:09] dangerous and irresponsible.
[04:08:12] It is therefore unconstitutional for ABG
[04:08:15] to have its own defense force.
[04:08:18] Yet it is clear to me that the ABG has
[04:08:21] demonstrated no respect whatsoever for
[04:08:24] the sovereignty of the national
[04:08:26] constitution and the peace agreement.
[04:08:29] The ABG has also de ABG and its
[04:08:33] leadership have gone ahead with
[04:08:35] undertakings on Bogenville as if they
[04:08:38] are already an independent state. This
[04:08:41] is utterly unacceptable and must not be
[04:08:44] taken lightly by this parliament. This
[04:08:47] is an act of sedition. The president
[04:08:50] must be summoned and held accountable
[04:08:52] for his actions. No one will tell him. I
[04:08:54] am telling him.
[04:08:57] This parliament must send a clear
[04:08:59] message that the sovereignty of Papu
[04:09:01] Nugini cannot be challenged through
[04:09:04] civilism, intimidation or parallel
[04:09:07] claims of military authority.
[04:09:10] Our call for national unity. Mr. Speaker
[04:09:13] Paponi is already a nation of immense
[04:09:16] diversity. Our strength has always been
[04:09:19] unity within diversity. Only recently on
[04:09:24] the 18th of May this year, the president
[04:09:26] of autonomous region of Bogenville is
[04:09:29] seen officiating
[04:09:31] in a fully dressed military uniform on
[04:09:35] the remembrance day in Aawa and claiming
[04:09:39] himself as the chief of the Bogenville
[04:09:42] Defense Force.
[04:09:44] Mr. Speaker, since when did Bogenville
[04:09:47] ad adopted its own constitution and
[04:09:49] became independent?
[04:09:51] This is clearly demonstrate. This
[04:09:54] clearly demonstrates that Bogenville
[04:09:56] leadership has no regard and respect for
[04:09:59] the Bogenville peace agreement. No
[04:10:01] wonder why the elements of Bogenville
[04:10:04] revolutionary army, the so-called
[04:10:06] Meamuay defense force have not fully
[04:10:08] complied with section 338 and section
[04:10:12] 342 of the constitution
[04:10:14] for total surrender and disposal of the
[04:10:17] weapons.
[04:10:19] Section 338 and section 4 342 of the
[04:10:22] constitution have not been fully
[04:10:24] complied and implemented rendering this
[04:10:27] referendum process result
[04:10:28] unconstitutional. Mr. Speaker, I
[04:10:31] REPEATED AGAIN SINCE section 338 and
[04:10:34] section 342 of the CONSTITUTION HAVE NOT
[04:10:37] BEEN FULLY COMPLIED with and
[04:10:40] implemented. This renders this entire
[04:10:44] referendum process and result
[04:10:46] unconstitutional.
[04:10:48] This is not the time for emotional
[04:10:50] decision making. This is not the time
[04:10:52] for political games. Mr. Speaker, this
[04:10:55] is the time for the call of leadership
[04:10:58] in this parliament.
[04:11:02] Mr. Speaker, Bogenville is part of Papa
[04:11:04] Newini. Borgganians are our brothers and
[04:11:06] sisters. Their grievances must be must
[04:11:09] continue to be addressed through
[04:11:12] autonomy, through development,
[04:11:14] reconciliation, and partnership. But
[04:11:17] independence is not the answer.
[04:11:20] The answer is deeper national unity. The
[04:11:23] answer is constitutional stability. The
[04:11:26] answer is meaningful autonomy within one
[04:11:29] sovereign papigni.
[04:11:31] In con conclusion, Mr. Speaker, after
[04:11:35] careful reflection on the constitution,
[04:11:37] the territorial integrity of Papa New
[04:11:40] Guinea, the incomplete conditions
[04:11:43] surrounding the referendum, the
[04:11:45] unresolved weapons disposal concerns,
[04:11:48] the governance challenges, recent
[04:11:51] developments that threaten the spirit of
[04:11:53] peace agreement and the constitution of
[04:11:55] Papa Nugini. I state categorically today
[04:11:58] for and on behalf of myself and the
[04:12:01] peaceloving citizens of Vanimo Green
[04:12:03] River electorate and greater Paponi
[04:12:05] party that this parliament must reject
[04:12:08] outright
[04:12:10] the Bogenville referendum result due to
[04:12:13] the fact that they have not met the
[04:12:15] conditions of the Bogenville peace
[04:12:17] agreement and the constitution under
[04:12:18] section 338 subsection 3. Let us
[04:12:23] preserve peace. Let us preserve unity.
[04:12:26] Let us preserve absolute sovereignty
[04:12:28] handed down to us by our founding
[04:12:31] fathers at the independence in 1975 se
[04:12:34] in on the 16th of September 1975.
[04:12:38] History will charge the decisions we
[04:12:40] make today. Mr. Speaker on this floor of
[04:12:43] parliament may we act not in fear. May
[04:12:46] we act not in anger. May we act
[04:12:51] with wisdom and courage and unwavering
[04:12:53] commitment to one united Papa Newu
[04:12:56] Guini. May our creator god, the almighty
[04:13:01] bless our motherland papuini as
[04:13:03] established and defined under section
[04:13:06] two of our constitution. Mr. Speaker,
[04:13:08] thank you Mr. Speaker.
[04:13:13] >> The honorable prime minister.
[04:13:16] >> All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
[04:13:18] Deputy Speaker
[04:13:20] uh for allowing the parliament
[04:13:23] to process the bipartisan committee on
[04:13:27] buganville matters and I want to
[04:13:30] register my appreciation to chairman the
[04:13:34] honorable Dr. Alan Merritt, Deputy
[04:13:37] Chairman, the Honorable Sassinad Mutual,
[04:13:41] um, the Honorable Francisco Seamos, the
[04:13:44] Honorable Kit Idu, the Honorable Lena
[04:13:48] Tom, the Honorable Sir Petas, the
[04:13:50] Honorable Suku,
[04:13:52] the Honorable Robert Naguri, and the
[04:13:55] Honorable Governor Poe. Thank you for
[04:13:58] taking up the task that parliament has
[04:14:01] tked you to consult uh our nation and to
[04:14:06] bring to report uh on Bugenville so that
[04:14:09] we can have this moment of discussion in
[04:14:12] the structure of our government.
[04:14:14] Parliament in my view is supreme uh
[04:14:18] complemented by the function of the
[04:14:20] executive government and the judiciary.
[04:14:23] I want to also indicate to the house
[04:14:26] that next week Tuesday the minister for
[04:14:29] bugenville affairs will then bring in
[04:14:33] the government processes the processes
[04:14:36] that was agreed between the national
[04:14:39] government and the autonomous
[04:14:41] uh bugenville government. Uh the session
[04:14:44] order will be used in on the session
[04:14:47] order will open the floor for detailed
[04:14:51] further discussions and eventually and I
[04:14:54] propose to this house on the anniversary
[04:14:59] on the 25th anniversary of the signing
[04:15:03] of the bugandal peace agreement on the
[04:15:06] 30th of of uh August this year before
[04:15:12] our parliament goes into or before our
[04:15:14] country passes through our 50th year and
[04:15:17] enter into our 51st year. This
[04:15:20] parliament would have been given the
[04:15:22] privilege to have processed the entire
[04:15:26] peace agreement process that has been
[04:15:28] running since 2001
[04:15:30] and to bring this leg of the journey to
[04:15:34] some sort of a conclusion or punctuation
[04:15:37] mark before we embark on the next
[04:15:40] journey. Mr. Speaker, why do I make this
[04:15:44] uh inference?
[04:15:48] If parliament talk yes and I want
[04:15:51] speaker
[04:15:53] right Mr. Speaker, Mr. Deputy Speaker
[04:15:57] Parliament yes
[04:16:03] and we'll work through the process of
[04:16:05] pathway. Yes.
[04:16:07] Parliament
[04:16:14] still walk it.
[04:16:16] I want to pay my acknowledgement to
[04:16:18] those who carved out the Bugenville
[04:16:20] peace agreement.
[04:16:23] Some have passed acknowledged
[04:16:26] on on the national government side the
[04:16:28] late Samar Morota who was prime minister
[04:16:30] then on the side of Bugenville they were
[04:16:33] led by the late Joseph Kabui.
[04:16:35] I acknowledge vice president Masad who
[04:16:39] was there at that point in time. My
[04:16:40] sister the honorable
[04:16:43] Francisco Seamoso was around that time.
[04:16:46] Others have passed, others still remain
[04:16:48] including President
[04:16:50] Isma Torma.
[04:16:53] 2001 peace agreement
[04:16:56] uh was then transplanted into part 14 of
[04:16:59] our nation's constitution.
[04:17:03] Since then, no guns has been fired. If
[04:17:06] you look at 2001,
[04:17:08] that's about 25 years from 1975.
[04:17:13] You look at now in 2026,
[04:17:16] that's about 25 years from 2001. So we
[04:17:21] as we go through our 50 year period, the
[04:17:25] story of Buganville has been deeply part
[04:17:27] of the story of Papuini.
[04:17:30] For better or for worse, we are tangled
[04:17:32] into one
[04:17:34] story.
[04:17:37] At 1975,
[04:17:39] August 15, when the constituent assembly
[04:17:42] passed our nation's constitution that
[04:17:45] beathered the sovereignty we call Papney
[04:17:48] today, the most diverse nation on the
[04:17:52] face of planet earth. over 836 languages
[04:17:58] including
[04:17:59] more than 30 or 40 or 50 you have in
[04:18:03] Buganville as we speak. The entire
[04:18:06] diversity was
[04:18:08] fused into one union we call Papa Nigini
[04:18:13] today.
[04:18:17] The party that I lead has played a
[04:18:19] fundamental role in the construct of
[04:18:21] Papa Nigini. the constitution we have
[04:18:24] today, the lead up the movement leading
[04:18:27] up to the independence of our country
[04:18:30] today.
[04:18:31] The honorable
[04:18:33] Peter Samali,
[04:18:35] Minister of State, regional member of
[04:18:38] Bugenville
[04:18:40] as well as leader of government business
[04:18:42] did alluded to his grandfather
[04:18:46] uh was in the first house of assembly.
[04:18:49] Well, his grandfather was
[04:18:52] the first leader of Pangopati
[04:18:54] at
[04:18:56] the birth of party on the 13th
[04:18:59] of June 1967.
[04:19:07] Mr. Mr. Speaker, combined the aggregate
[04:19:10] work of leaders on Bugenville
[04:19:15] and Papuini
[04:19:17] Beth, the country we now call PNG today
[04:19:22] and in the midst of that journey we've
[04:19:24] had the last 50 years many ups and downs
[04:19:26] more more downs than ups or maybe more
[04:19:31] ups and downs
[04:19:33] amongst one of the greatest stress has
[04:19:36] in the Bugenville crisis up till this
[04:19:39] point in time at 1988 Mr. Speaker
[04:19:42] needless to repeat but to remind
[04:19:45] we were only but 14 years old as a
[04:19:48] country
[04:19:49] when the power pilots I remember very
[04:19:52] very clearly I was a grade 11 student at
[04:19:54] Kabifa
[04:19:56] power pilots came off newspaper
[04:19:57] headlines went off power pilots were
[04:20:00] failed it was a law and order issue
[04:20:05] Mr. Speaker, Deputy Speaker, just like
[04:20:07] today, you have recurrence of law and
[04:20:09] other issues up there in the highlands
[04:20:11] near PNG LNG, near Pogra gold mines. The
[04:20:16] government in his wisdom then sends
[04:20:17] police and the police is not enough to
[04:20:19] address an defense force going. Today we
[04:20:22] also invoke provision of our concision
[04:20:24] sometimes under state of emergency
[04:20:26] envelope.
[04:20:28] But in 1988
[04:20:30] what was a law and order issue spiral
[04:20:33] out and eventually we are here in 2026
[04:20:38] in this discussion as we discuss on
[04:20:41] whether we split or remain in this
[04:20:43] union.
[04:20:46] But Mr. Speaker I think the committee uh
[04:20:49] does justice a little bit to the entire
[04:20:50] Bugenville story. Looking at 1988 alone
[04:20:54] is not enough to give context to the
[04:20:57] entire Bugenville conversation.
[04:21:00] That was 1972.
[04:21:02] A murder that took place in Goroka
[04:21:04] teachers college. Bugenvilleians wanted
[04:21:07] to be on their own at that time. The
[04:21:10] 1960s there was also a question of us
[04:21:12] being on our own.
[04:21:15] I remember growing up and it wasn't
[04:21:17] Bugenville more so it was not Solomon
[04:21:19] province we were calling. Where do you
[04:21:21] get the name not Solomon from Mr. Deputy
[04:21:23] Speaker? It was carved out from Solomon.
[04:21:26] Not Solomony was a transaction between
[04:21:29] Britain and Germany. When not Solomon
[04:21:32] became German North Solomon
[04:21:35] and Solomon Island became Brit British
[04:21:38] Solomon Islands.
[04:21:40] those the history of Bugenville and PNG
[04:21:43] is a Came twin story issue that has run
[04:21:48] parallel with the colonial history up
[04:21:51] till today.
[04:21:53] But a story of Bugenville and PG will
[04:21:55] not be dependent on colonalist mindset
[04:21:58] or even United Nations definition and
[04:22:01] I'd like to put this up front. United
[04:22:04] Nations will not define where PNG and
[04:22:06] Bugenville goes from here on.
[04:22:10] No one from outside will define where we
[04:22:12] go from here on. It is ourselves.
[04:22:15] >> That is why the second banham
[04:22:18] conversation
[04:22:20] talked on invoking the Melanesian
[04:22:23] spirit, the Melanian people.
[04:22:26] The construct of country is a modern-day
[04:22:29] conversation. Mr. the speaker.
[04:22:32] For what good is a country that is
[04:22:34] defined by modern definition,
[04:22:37] a people are not okay, if lawless still
[04:22:40] prevail and if borders restrict
[04:22:43] movements
[04:22:44] and so you know I commend the uh former
[04:22:47] prime minister who spoke and maybe in in
[04:22:50] the conversation in Melanian agreement
[04:22:52] you've signed in Banham there may be a
[04:22:54] wisdom inside what did I said
[04:22:58] and at this point in time I want to pay
[04:23:00] a special mention
[04:23:02] to the bugenville leaderships.
[04:23:04] I take my head off to you mas
[04:23:07] you sit on top president to yes
[04:23:13] talk to all talk come up you know
[04:23:17] my brother the member for green and
[04:23:19] leader of PNC party ministerim
[04:23:22] is one of those overqualified to talk
[04:23:25] about bugenville because he put his body
[04:23:27] on the line
[04:23:29] he put his body on the line to stop a
[04:23:31] foreign missionary from going to
[04:23:33] bugenville
[04:23:35] to do reckless and part of the
[04:23:37] recklessness would have been harm.
[04:23:43] PS is putting their body on the line.
[04:23:45] Today you may think the honorable bama
[04:23:48] is speaking hatred but he's speaking
[04:23:50] love. Just like when the bugenville
[04:23:53] leader signed the 2000 peace agreement,
[04:23:56] it was in love that we signed that peace
[04:23:58] agreement. 25 years on at the say or
[04:24:01] right right through the 50th anniversary
[04:24:03] of our sovereignty or that modern
[04:24:07] definition of sovereignty that the
[04:24:09] United Nations have defined on us. We
[04:24:12] are in this discussions
[04:24:14] Mr.
[04:24:17] Every speaker may like thank you
[04:24:20] leadersville.
[04:24:22] Yes on PN side may acknowledge soldiers
[04:24:26] either call of duty or lose life. Mr.
[04:24:29] Mr. Speaker, I stand here.
[04:24:32] You know, you got to get one one line
[04:24:35] on March 1991.
[04:24:50] or walk
[04:24:52] and few at 1991 we had only few
[04:24:54] policemen.
[04:24:56] One of my tribesmen
[04:24:59] late Joseph Tangaria was the first
[04:25:02] policeman to go down on the BA passes.
[04:25:07] So I stand here with my heart divided
[04:25:11] on what sort of decision I must make as
[04:25:13] member for Atari.
[04:25:16] First policeman lose him life. Late
[04:25:18] Joseph Tangaria
[04:25:21] never retrieved his bones. His bones is
[04:25:23] in the book of passage. But that is a
[04:25:26] call of duty.
[04:25:28] Policeman die, army die. But more so
[04:25:31] more bugenville die.
[04:25:33] Plant blockage
[04:25:36] plant resistant plenty gunlong bantlong
[04:25:41] PNC soldiers.
[04:25:44] That's all past and past.
[04:25:46] How do we reflect on the past and shape
[04:25:49] a future that is not offensive to
[04:25:52] Bugenville's aspiration for
[04:25:53] self-determination
[04:25:55] whilst at the same time we all of us are
[04:25:58] struggling to gripple with holding all
[04:26:00] of us together?
[04:26:02] I believe the answer could be found as
[04:26:05] we progress. Mr.
[04:26:07] speaker section 342 subsection one
[04:26:13] and more leaders Jimmy long 2001 I'll
[04:26:16] sign him I'll put him answer
[04:26:20] leaders bugenville now go back now
[04:26:23] reading
[04:26:24] section 342 subsection one I mean I'll
[04:26:27] give him sunset
[04:26:29] long time block consultation
[04:26:32] before referendum after referendum
[04:26:36] After parliament he decide one condition
[04:26:38] make him
[04:26:40] constitution talk on both sides and find
[04:26:44] him solution as 2001 agreement come up
[04:26:47] through peaceful means
[04:26:50] fire coming up
[04:26:52] this generation of leaders
[04:26:55] we must settle papanville
[04:26:58] and rest of the country and we must give
[04:27:01] hope to the children in buganville and
[04:27:04] rest of the country to the bugen
[04:27:06] villains when I pick up the result on
[04:27:09] 7th of December 2019
[04:27:13] I made a statement you want to talk
[04:27:15] bugenville and I stand here uh as a
[04:27:19] a person today if it weren't for a
[04:27:21] buganian missionary in my father's
[04:27:24] village my father who was an orphan
[04:27:26] would not have been adopted by the by
[04:27:28] the missionary family would not have my
[04:27:31] my father would not have been taken back
[04:27:34] to the place he was uh in in my mother's
[04:27:38] village and possibly would not have
[04:27:39] found my mother and I would not be here
[04:27:41] today.
[04:27:43] So I say thank you to the Bugenville
[04:27:45] missionary, the Sakias family. They're
[04:27:47] still my family to this day. I go in
[04:27:50] Buganville. I I'm I'm with them in
[04:27:51] Buganville.
[04:27:54] So I speak to my Bugenville people,
[04:27:57] your honorable Ismile Toma's people as
[04:27:59] much as you my people.
[04:28:02] If your guns go off in Bugenville today,
[04:28:04] I have no ability to defend you.
[04:28:08] Honorable the honorable bellama maybe is
[04:28:11] correct, maybe it's wrong. You assess
[04:28:12] yourself.
[04:28:14] Meu one assess yourself. Meu two assess
[04:28:19] yourself. Mechamu three, possibly four,
[04:28:23] the Musu kingdom.
[04:28:26] All this as I speak today when we
[04:28:28] process this into the floor of
[04:28:30] parliament this parliament will make it
[04:28:33] in clearest definition no PNG defense
[04:28:35] force or PNG royal PNG consumer will
[04:28:38] ever enter Bugenville again whilst it's
[04:28:41] within the sovereign as we work through
[04:28:43] the sovereignty conversations we will
[04:28:45] not send police in again because we sent
[04:28:47] police in in 1988
[04:28:50] and the turnar around on the police was
[04:28:53] more serious than a basic other issue.
[04:28:57] It means we are cutting off one part of
[04:29:00] our sovereignty that was designed
[04:29:03] when the concession was bathe at 15th
[04:29:07] August 1975.
[04:29:09] So no police will come from Portmosi or
[04:29:12] Wani or Robal into Bugenville. No PNC
[04:29:15] defense force will come again. What
[04:29:17] guarantee will you give me that every
[04:29:19] people in Bugenville will be protected
[04:29:21] by Bugenville police? because they are
[04:29:24] my responsibility or whoever comes as
[04:29:27] prime minister in 2027 that's that that
[04:29:30] person's responsibility as much as
[04:29:33] president your responsibility
[04:29:35] the serious consideration on law and
[04:29:37] order and bugenville is something I
[04:29:38] grapple with all the time if I let go
[04:29:41] what is the assurance
[04:29:44] descendants will not turn against
[04:29:47] resistant descendants
[04:29:51] etc etc so Mr. Speaker, those are the
[04:29:54] issues I grapple with.
[04:29:56] Issues I also grapple with. For
[04:29:58] instance, today
[04:30:01] the operational expenditure threshold in
[04:30:04] Bugenville
[04:30:07] is almost a billion ka. It's subject to
[04:30:11] our funding. I do apologize since 2001.
[04:30:14] Sometimes we have not funded you to the
[04:30:16] 100%.
[04:30:19] But the fact remains that almost
[04:30:23] the collection on the island you collect
[04:30:25] less than 5% of your total expenditure
[04:30:27] cap.
[04:30:29] That's why this government following
[04:30:30] from the PNC government's work on
[04:30:32] panguna.
[04:30:34] We've allowed you to have 100% panguna
[04:30:40] all powers that is meant especially in
[04:30:42] the economic power and section 299 of
[04:30:46] the constitution if I'm not wrong talks
[04:30:48] about the powers over 60 powers
[04:30:54] and on our side if we have failed in
[04:30:55] giving you the draw down allow you to
[04:30:58] draw down the powers we say sorry but we
[04:31:01] the power needs to be drawn down in
[04:31:02] fully section 299 9 talks about the
[04:31:05] fullest power you have to draw down.
[04:31:07] Those power must be drawn down and
[04:31:09] exercised.
[04:31:13] You do not need to wait to be
[04:31:15] independent to draw down this power. You
[04:31:16] must have drawn down this power already
[04:31:19] to function as autonomous region. Those
[04:31:23] are work that we could have done before.
[04:31:25] We haven't done yet. More work we will
[04:31:26] do going forward in this space. And Mr.
[04:31:29] Speaker, I want to uh I want to ask my
[04:31:32] friends in Bugenville with my heart uh
[04:31:35] is for you but my mind tells me
[04:31:39] that's two different thing mind and
[04:31:40] heart. My heart is soft but my mind
[04:31:43] tells me this and especially the safety
[04:31:46] mechanisms economic safety mechanism and
[04:31:49] social structural safety mechanisms
[04:31:52] because once once detachment takes place
[04:31:55] if it does is allowed PNG soldiers and
[04:31:58] police will never come back
[04:32:01] and even if detachment doesn't take
[04:32:03] place I would have advised any
[04:32:04] government into the future don't send
[04:32:07] police and defense into buganville let
[04:32:08] them survive and live on their on we'll
[04:32:11] assist them in any and everything we can
[04:32:13] as we relate going forward these are
[04:32:16] serious matters of consideration but
[04:32:18] coming back to the issue at hand I want
[04:32:19] to thank again Buganville leaders thank
[04:32:22] you true respecting parliament
[04:32:26] we cannot take this away from them this
[04:32:30] session you must because parliament you
[04:32:32] current report come inside we like talk
[04:32:34] thank you along President Oma like thank
[04:32:37] you thank you along honorable masat
[04:32:40] We like thank you allenville PC
[04:32:43] Bugenville Bugenville
[04:32:46] executive members one time Ban ministers
[04:32:49] all parliament now leaders uh they could
[04:32:52] have protested
[04:32:54] uh this government conduct this
[04:32:55] government and Bugenville government
[04:32:56] conducted about four post referendum
[04:33:00] consultations
[04:33:02] the first time long
[04:33:05] long koko
[04:33:08] kokopo
[04:33:13] as as high as Mount William is
[04:33:19] minim William until kingdom come back
[04:33:22] Jesus come back
[04:33:24] 97.7%
[04:33:27] forever you ask me why me talk
[04:33:32] simply because we may approach this we
[04:33:34] will we will certainly be approaching
[04:33:36] this by parliament vote
[04:33:39] Now parliament vote which way
[04:33:42] referendum result by you reminding me
[04:33:44] pled forever going forward into the
[04:33:45] future
[04:33:49] golong bugenville referendum result
[04:33:52] seuka was handing here in handing the
[04:33:54] result in at the government house I was
[04:33:56] in bugenville personally myself with
[04:33:58] fellow national few national leaders
[04:34:00] including deputy prime minister
[04:34:04] Billy was a member of Lutari.
[04:34:07] I could have said Mikar wasn't prime
[04:34:09] minister
[04:34:11] but Mr. speaker
[04:34:13] as a member of Lutari knowing that one
[04:34:17] person called James Mar today a member
[04:34:20] of Lutari and two holy office prime
[04:34:22] minister am no unilateral right of
[04:34:24] broken country
[04:34:27] vote
[04:34:29] as
[04:34:30] so to my friends
[04:34:39] I was telling two
[04:34:42] that when it section 342 subsection 2
[04:34:46] prevails
[04:34:48] and that's members of parliament will
[04:34:51] collectively make a collective decision
[04:34:53] and rightfully so this parliament or
[04:34:56] this country
[04:35:03] talk
[04:35:07] new island today 1:00 We got gold talk
[04:35:11] more autonomy stuff. So as prime
[04:35:13] minister must look look today tomorrow
[04:35:17] backside what happened backside look at
[04:35:19] me fracture
[04:35:22] that's why your brother
[04:35:24] president
[04:35:27] second postbe
[04:35:30] ask
[04:35:33] you think from my perspective and I will
[04:35:35] think from your perspective
[04:35:38] and my perspective is this
[04:35:41] this country is a diverse country. One
[04:35:44] trigger and we could disenfranchise
[04:35:48] this country. How do we find a solution
[04:35:51] that does not disintegrate a country but
[04:35:54] hold our country while giving Bugen will
[04:35:56] still a special place?
[04:36:00] Reflection the 97.7%
[04:36:03] result that will forever stand into the
[04:36:06] future. So I want to thank you after
[04:36:09] wbeek meeting
[04:36:12] papin masaw benville all in no fight all
[04:36:15] in a protest only across all prime
[04:36:19] minister talk that parliament must make
[04:36:23] him decision yet so I want to place on
[04:36:26] record here in this day 2nd of June
[04:36:31] 2026
[04:36:33] 5 3 thank you along all bugenville
[04:36:36] leaders
[04:36:37] You cry one time, I one time pen one
[04:36:39] time. I could understand your pain. But
[04:36:41] I want to salute you for giving respect
[04:36:45] at PNG constit
[04:36:56] not all hope is lost.
[04:36:58] And to all members of this side two side
[04:37:00] of the house, let's not be ignorant of
[04:37:02] the 97.7%.
[04:37:04] If there is a no, it must be a no with a
[04:37:07] yes. If there is a yes, it must be a yes
[04:37:10] with a no. What do I mean by this? It
[04:37:14] means we must find solution.
[04:37:29] We have to contract something. My
[04:37:31] brothers and sisters in Bugenville,
[04:37:33] I've come to you more than any other
[04:37:36] prime ministers
[04:37:38] in as far as post conflict or post peace
[04:37:42] agreement time in eight times we come
[04:37:45] in.
[04:37:48] Parliament you respect him by taking
[04:37:49] this close to possibly on 30th of uh
[04:37:54] August coincide one time peace agreement
[04:37:58] decent on date 2001 when we take the
[04:38:00] decision
[04:38:02] if majority is in the side of no it
[04:38:04] doesn't mean we don't love you but we'll
[04:38:06] find a solution that is higher than just
[04:38:11] a no and gana
[04:38:14] if majority of yes well I will ask
[04:38:18] section 342
[04:38:20] subsection one
[04:38:23] are you ready now
[04:38:37] until certain time you can go
[04:38:42] but you may relate at some time going to
[04:38:44] the
[04:38:46] majority No. Uh yes.
[04:38:50] No belly on our side. This pango
[04:38:53] administration we will not pick you up
[04:38:55] and drop you down. He said no. And we
[04:38:56] relate like this. respect that you voted
[04:38:59] 97.7 voted for highenville
[04:39:03] parking
[04:39:06] everything especially 299 you know draw
[04:39:10] down you kiss him and you can give him
[04:39:13] except foreign relation matters defense
[04:39:16] matters currency matters especially
[04:39:18] these three
[04:39:22] something you kiss him
[04:39:25] like
[04:39:26] Mr. Mr. Speaker, one of the places on
[04:39:29] Spain will call him Catalia
[04:39:31] over 100 years ago independent from
[04:39:34] Spain. Make him make him make him come.
[04:39:35] 2017 they had referendum.
[04:39:39] But today they're not yet independent.
[04:39:42] But Catalia, if he Catalia was a
[04:39:44] country, Catalia would be in the top 50
[04:39:47] economies in the world today.
[04:39:50] So did they wait to be independent to be
[04:39:52] economic powerhouse? No.
[04:39:55] Whilst they pursue independence, there's
[04:39:57] still a robust economy functioning
[04:40:00] under the federation of Spain but
[04:40:02] totally functioning. 2001, Mr. Deputy
[04:40:06] Speaker, section 299 powers were inside.
[04:40:09] How much have we drawn down and what has
[04:40:11] been utilized? Section 338 aside, I'm
[04:40:14] just asking on the powers already we
[04:40:17] have.
[04:40:20] I want to conclude by saying Mr. Deputy
[04:40:22] Speaker or Brothers Loenville, the rest
[04:40:25] of the country, let's not fear about
[04:40:27] this one,
[04:40:29] we we will find a solution. We must find
[04:40:31] a solution. Yes. In the midst of
[04:40:33] deciding, there'll be
[04:40:36] people who will be feeling offended. But
[04:40:40] offended as it may be, whatever it is,
[04:40:41] we must find solutions together. We work
[04:40:44] through some other model. We've been
[04:40:46] looking, this government has been
[04:40:47] looking. If it is a no, how do we relate
[04:40:50] going forward? If we didn't say yes, how
[04:40:52] do we relate going forward? In
[04:40:53] transition.
[04:40:55] In transition to whatever it is the
[04:40:58] future may decide for all of us.
[04:41:02] You look at UK today. There was a
[04:41:03] reference made on UK earlier. Mr. Mr.
[04:41:06] Speaker,
[04:41:07] United Kingdom has four nations, one
[04:41:10] country.
[04:41:12] Four nations, one country. Nation of
[04:41:15] Wales, Nation of Scotland, nation of
[04:41:18] Northern Ireland or Ireland or whichever
[04:41:20] way it is
[04:41:22] and England, four nations, one country.
[04:41:27] Or you look at models closer to home.
[04:41:30] Kalan Newan relationship.
[04:41:33] Kalan is not in United Nations but Kalan
[04:41:36] sits in PIF. Kalan sits and makes their
[04:41:40] own call
[04:41:41] as a sovereign territory yet with an
[04:41:44] umbilical court attachment to Niger.
[04:41:48] There are models around for us
[04:41:49] especially with a notion and I want to
[04:41:51] leave with this. My brothers and sisters
[04:41:54] in Bugenville my brother President Torma
[04:41:56] have all guns have come out.
[04:42:01] I talk about nothing else. I don't want
[04:42:02] to talk about good governance but I just
[04:42:04] talk about guns because I am prime
[04:42:06] minister of your people as much as you
[04:42:09] are president of your people. I am
[04:42:11] fearful because I will not send police
[04:42:13] more into Bugenville. I will not send
[04:42:15] defense into Bugenville ever.
[04:42:17] The treaty we signed with Australia is
[04:42:19] not to target Bugenville. It's just a
[04:42:21] sovereign protection in the midst of
[04:42:24] many contests happening elsewhere.
[04:42:26] Bugenville, you blow me
[04:42:30] on this. There was a
[04:42:33] I want to refer a phrase
[04:42:37] one America in the early 1900s. Let me
[04:42:42] talk
[04:42:44] the name Love Grave or something. I
[04:42:46] forgot the name. Let me tell the
[04:42:48] greatest fear of fear and the greatest
[04:42:51] emotion
[04:42:53] the greatest human emotion is the
[04:42:56] emotion of fear
[04:42:58] and the greatest fear is the fear of
[04:43:00] fear itself
[04:43:02] of fear of the the greatest human fear
[04:43:04] is the fear of it. Fear itself and fear
[04:43:06] for the future.
[04:43:12] You may aspire to country
[04:43:22] when I've in the highlands in Cook in
[04:43:23] Western Highlands 10,000 years ago when
[04:43:26] agriculture was practiced United Nations
[04:43:28] in
[04:43:31] when more than 10 10,000 years ago
[04:43:32] Melania settled in Bugenville United
[04:43:34] Nations in this must not be driven by
[04:43:37] United Nations outside you yet must find
[04:43:39] independent
[04:43:43] country without economic wellbeing and
[04:43:45] one country. Look at us today 75
[04:43:49] independent only 300 million Kenya
[04:43:51] budget today
[04:43:54] country
[04:44:01] first economic wellbeing of our country
[04:44:03] including
[04:44:05] that's why
[04:44:07] 100% only government
[04:44:10] finish
[04:44:17] rest of our country my brother
[04:44:21] govern
[04:44:30] only two reported on the final report
[04:44:33] last year
[04:44:35] report so it's not only so let's not
[04:44:36] pinpoint the bugenville lad
[04:44:41] for first 14 years
[04:44:44] money must not be A conversation. This a
[04:44:47] conversation
[04:44:55] house of Assembly
[04:45:05] United Nations.
[04:45:08] Let's not be time bound. If you
[04:45:10] currently shall come for the process law
[04:45:12] comply 2001 peace agreement if comes in
[04:45:14] and this parliament says no let's turn
[04:45:17] around the no and find a yes answer. If
[04:45:20] this parliament says yes let's turn
[04:45:22] around the yes and find a no answer. I
[04:45:23] believe the heart and soul of Melania
[04:45:26] conversation will find a consensus that
[04:45:28] is women all of us that two people
[04:45:30] remain the same space forever going
[04:45:33] forward into the future where our
[04:45:34] children can flourish together. I want
[04:45:36] this parliament not to be fearful as we
[04:45:38] bring the conver results in uh through a
[04:45:41] cessal order next week Monday uh Tuesday
[04:45:44] assess order will be introduced and
[04:45:48] minister talk long display issue from a
[04:45:51] government perspective
[04:45:54] 30th of August 2026
[04:45:59] we must take a decision in compliance to
[04:46:02] 342 subsection 2. Thank you too much,
[04:46:05] Mr. Speaker.
[04:46:08] >> Leader of government business.
[04:46:10] >> Uh, Deputy Speaker, I move that the
[04:46:12] debate be adjourned and made an order of
[04:46:13] the day for a subsequent city.
[04:46:16] >> The question is that the motion be
[04:46:17] agreed to. Those in favor say I.
[04:46:19] >> I.
[04:46:20] >> And those against no I government
[04:46:23] business.
[04:46:25] Uh, dear Speaker, I move that the
[04:46:27] parliament do now adjourn until tomorrow
[04:46:30] at 10:00 a.m.
[04:46:32] >> The question is that the motion be
[04:46:34] agreed to. Those in favor say I.
[04:46:36] >> Those against say no. I have it.
[04:46:39] Honorable members, I now urgent
[04:46:41] parliament to tomorrow 10:00 a.m.
[04:47:01] Heat. Heat.