After a year of persistence and setbacks, New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan announced that eight of his proposed bills have been officially registered as private members' bills during yesterday’s parliament session.
New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan presented notice for the following bills:
- Constitutional (Amendment) Law on Autonomous Government: This bill aims to insert Part XV into the Constitution, allowing for the establishment of Autonomous Governments, granting provincial governments greater political, administrative, and financial powers.
- Organic Law (Amendment) on Autonomous Governments
- Mining (Amendment) Bill 2019
- Organic Law on PNG’s Ownership of Hydrocarbon and Minerals
- Organic Law on PNG’s Ownership of Hydrocarbon and the Consolidation and Commercialization of PNG’s Business Law 2016 (Repeal) Law
- Land (Amendment) Bill 2023
- Provincial Health Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023
- New Ireland University Bill 2020
Sir Julius expressed concern during the December 2023 Parliament sitting when his bills were excluded from notice papers since May 2023.
Today, he expressed cautious optimism, acknowledging that the process is still underway but remains hopeful for a favourable outcome.
The Private Business Committee will now evaluate whether these bills hold national importance. If deemed so, they will proceed to the clerk for reporting to Parliament for a second reading, allowing Members of Parliament to debate.
In a letter to Prime Minister James Marape, Sir Julius emphasized the significance of these bills in empowering the people and reclaiming wealth for the nation. He sees them as his legacy before retiring from active political life, aiming to fulfill the promise of "taking back PNG".
Sir Julius also extended gratitude to the New Ireland Autonomy Committee for its dedication, believing that these bills bring New Ireland closer to achieving autonomy.