Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC)

In a press statement issued on 9th June 2023, the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) officially closed the consultation for the review of the form and system of government. The consultation, which began on 6th March, concluded successfully after nearly three months of intense discussions and inquiries.

However, the CLRC has announced that they are still accepting public views through written submissions and an online survey until 30th June 2023. CLRC Chairman, Saki Soloma, mentioned that these platforms will formally close on the specified date.

Western Highlands and Eastern Highlands were completed this week simultaneously by two separate teams from the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) and key government stakeholders. 

Other provinces that were already consulted include New Ireland, Manus, East New Britain, West New Britain, Madang, Morobe, East Sepik, West Sepik, Enga, Jiwaka, Chimbu, Southern Highlands, as well as the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. 

The report provides an up-to-date status of all the colonial or adopted laws the country introduced before Independence in 1975. The report is important for two reasons. It provides historical context within which the pre-independence laws were adopted and justify why these laws needed to be reformed. The report also guides the Commission and the Government to reform colonial laws identified in this report in a coordinated manner.

The government through the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) said it would undertake a review of the current form and system of government to ascertain whether or not, to allow the election of the Prime Minister by the people.

PRP party leader and North Fly MP, James Donald said election of the Prime Minister by the people was PRP’s number 1 policy initiative among others that were flagged and promoted during the recently concluded 2022 national general elections.

Secretary Dr. Mange Matui today expressed tremendous sadness and shock over this unfortunate tragedy.  

The late MP was also one of the current commissioners of CLRC, who was sworn into office on 21st July, 2021.

The report with its findings and recommendations was accepted by relevant stakeholders from the public and private sector at a seminar on Friday 24th June 2022 in Port Moresby.

 “The aim is to adapt the best tax regime for the good of our people,” CLRC Secretary Dr. Mange Matui said.

The policy’s main purpose serves as part of CLRC’s commitment to a safer and more supportive organizational climate and to the prevention and reduction of the incidence and effects of domestic violence and sexual violence at the work place.

CLRC states that they recognize that domestic and sexual violence present unique issues for its workforce.

Overall, CLRC’s Domestic Violence Policy intends to protect the safety of all domestic violence victims and their co-workers.

Former Chancellor of the University of Goroka, Dr. Joseph Sukwianomb, said: “To secure the sovereignty of the Independent of Papua New Guinea, is to secure the Parliament and its responsibilities and then we can deal with the public sector reforms to make sure the public sector functions independently, outside political circles.”
 
Dr Sukwianomb was among key stakeholders at a seminar organized by the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) recently to vet the draft report on the review on the education laws. 
 

Dr. Sukwianomb was among key stakeholders at a seminar organized by the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) to vet the draft report on the review of education laws. 

He welcomed the findings and recommendations in the draft report, and the review itself as a timely intervention but also warned that this will not change anything if the governance and leadership issues are not addressed. 

This paves the way for CLRC to finalize the report for submission to the Government later this year for implementation.

“This is a comprehensive review of the education system since 1975 that identifies where we have gone wrong and recommends appropriate solutions to the Government,” CLRC Secretary Dr. Mange Matui said at the seminar.