Major reform in PNG: challenging but interesting

The largest majority in parliament in PNGs history has emboldened Prime Minister James Marape to propose quite radical political reform. So far it has not gone beyond being a proposal but there is every chance the PM will advance it.

He is to appoint 6 extra ministers. That is not radical but designed to further strengthen a huge majority.

I would expect two or three will be offered to the depleted opposition.

But his other proposal is radical. It will be interesting to see how members of parliament respond to it,

At present the Prime Minister is elected by the Parliament. Only parliament can remove him.

It would seem the process is frustrating James Marape.

He has raised the possibility of the Prime Minister being elected by a vote of all citizens.

Members of parliament will be watching developments closely. If approved members would have significantly reduced influence.

Were the proposal to advance it would require several parliament approval votes with a high threshold to pass - at least 75 per cent.

In a nation of twelve million plus people only a highlander would be likely to be elected. With over 40 per cent of the population being highlanders it would be difficult for Papuans or Islanders or people from Momase to be elected. Difficult provided the Highlands vote was united. That will be a challenge!

There will have to be a preselection process. Last year around 5000 candidates stood in the national elections.

Perhaps the parliament will have to choose a panel of candidates?

Whatever, there will have to be a process so a realistic national vote can take place.

Just how candidates would be chosen is a complex issue. PNG has not held national referendums. There is no guarantee it would be smooth or transparent.

James Marape would be in the box seat to win. But again, not guaranteed.

It would be instructive to consider the pitfalls in the process.

As I read it the proposal, though worth considering, won't proceed. But I might be wrong.

An alternative might be to look at how the parliament might be made to work more effectively.

It is well short of doing so today.

Readers may recall I suggested Australia establish a Pacific institute to promote parliamentary democracy.

In our immediate region parliamentary democracy remains fragile. It needs to be strengthened.

In the Solomon Islands it is being undermined, almost certainly with China's active encouragement.

China has no interest in encouraging democracy in our island neighbours.

We have every interest in encouraging it.

Our role might well be to help facilitate the education of elected members.

And strengthening the parliamentary committee system.

In the meantime, James Marape will no doubt consult widely on his proposal if he wishes to advance it.

It may well be that he is frustrated by having a record majority, but still with limits to his powers.

He could also consider how it might be possible to make the parliament work more effectively.

That should include the powers of ministers over departments and state owned corporations. At present there is some confusion over the power of ministers.

The Prime Minister has opened the way for wide-scale parliamentary reform....and reform to the whole system of government.

There can be no doubt PNG is "over governed". There are 121 National Parliament members, including around 40 ministers and assistant ministers. There are 21 governors who are MP's but can't be ministers.

There are 21 provincial governments, all with members and ministers.

I have not counted how many ministers there are at national and provincial levels. But it would exceed 200!

This is surely the time to be bold and review the effectiveness of the provincial system.

The level of duplication of service delivery is wasteful and ineffective.

If the PM looks at how he is elected he could usefully look at just how the whole system works. It could not be said it is working!

Interesting times ahead. Let the debate begin.