CLRC

CRLC Secretary Dr. Mange Matui said this while announcing slight changes to the dates for the NCD consultation.

“The changes are made in light of the 3rd Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation and subsequent high-level meetings involving world leaders in the city next week, that will possibly affect our involvement with key stakeholders,” Dr. Matui said.

Dr. Matui said the NCD consultation was previously set for the 22nd to the 26th of May 2023, however it is now expected to take place between the 24th of May and 1st of June 2023. 

The decision was unanimously reached by Commissioners of the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission in their second quarter meeting on Thursday 15 July.

The report, in two volumes, will be presented to the Government this month at the earliest for tabling in the August sitting of Parliament.

In response to a misreporting in the press, CLRC Secretary Dr. Mange Matui said, “As part of the CLRC legal process, no report gets submitted to the government without being approved first by the CLRC Commissioners."

The head Pastors of each churches representing their church followers made their stance known today during a press conference.

Body of Christ Chairman Reverend Joseph Walters said the declaration of PNG as a Christian country will give prominence to God.

The Constitutional Law Reform Commission will begin consultations around the country beginning early this month to gauge views of the people on the declaration of PNG as a Christian nation.

Secretary of CLRC Dr. Mange Matui said the Constitutional Office will be neutral in its inquiries through getting people’s views and will make informed recommendations to the government.

Citizens are being encouraged to participate, where their views will be recorded and counted.

The review conducted was necessary as there was no specific policies on alcohol and drugs as well as appropriate penalties for related offences.

Following widespread concerns raised on alcohol and drug abuse, the Constitutional Law Reform Constitution undertook a review in 2015.

Longest serving Commissioner of the CLRC Commissioner Dr. Allan Marat said the review was essential to develop penalties necessary to regulate alcohol and drug abuse.

The website project began last year as part of the strategic priorities of the CLRC Corporate Plan 2020 - 2024.

Both the ICT Policy and Website are the first for CLRC since its creation 15 years ago.

Present to launch the achievements, were former CLRC Secretary and current Attorney General  and Secretary for Department of Justice and Attorney General Dr Eric Kwa, CLRC Chairman and Wewak MP Kevin Isifu.

Mr Isifu said while both projects took a while to be established, it was never too late.

CLRC chairman, Robert Atiyafa said lack of compliance, collusion between candidates and electoral officials and security officers, and strong Melanesian cultures consistently weaken democracy in this country.

When concluding its public consultation on review of the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government elections in Enga recently, CLRC chairman Robert Atiyafa said cheating in elections is widespread that candidates in many areas have done that to win seats in Parliament.

Secretary for Constitution and Law Reform Committee Dr Eric Kwa revealed this today during the joint annual Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) PNG and CPA Australia conference in Port Moresby.

Dr Kwa said the law is now effective and is implemented across the country.

“Any kid that got married under 18 years of age will serve his/her term in prison.”

Dr Kwa also issued a warning to the parents that are encouraging their children to get married under the age of 18, will also face the law.