Our Development Party (ODP) says it will repeal the Dual Citizenship Act as it does not benefit the indigenous population of PNG.
National Secretary, Habia Babe, revealed this during the second of a series of forums held by the National Research Institutes (NRI) for the discussion of political parties and their policies for this years’ election.
Babe said the dual citizenship act would be repealed as one of its agendas under its safety and security policy.
However, he did not specify the security reasons but rather who it benefitted that warranted its repealing.
“Our issue is that dual citizenship does not benefit the indigenous people of this country. It is for the privileged few.
“So we feel that it is not worth considering that policy. Because our partners and friends from overseas, they have an option to come in as visitors or under business visa’s, so that option is there and to us dual citizenship is not good for this country,” Babe said.
Early last month, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Rimbink Pato, announced that applications for dual citizenship would be ready by March once all administrative processes were complete.
He said this created an opportunity for Papua New Guineans domestically and around the world.
“Through dual citizenship our best and brightest can retain their connection with their homeland and not be hampered by bureaucracy.
“With dual citizenship we are better able to attract skilled workers who will be able to stay and build a home in Papua New Guinea, but still be able to return with ease to their place of birth to see family,” said Pato in a statement.
The repealing would have an effect Papua New Guinea’s born in other country’s.
Babe slightly changed his position on this stating the ODP would have to seek proper advise on this.
“We will closely look at this and get our best advice that we can.
“So as long as if those people are living overseas and their returning here are genuine and what kind of a contribution they will make for the development for our country,” he said.
ODP was established in 2009 by current Minister for Public Service and Abau MP, Sir Puka Temu.
The party contested 40 seats during the 2012 National Elections but only secured one seat through Temu. He would eventually join another party leaving ODP without a parliamentary leader.
The ODP has eight policy pillars focused on human development and the improvement of development indicators.
The party is expecting to field between 20 to 25 candidates in the 2017 National Elections.
National Secretary, Habia Babe, revealed this during the second of a series of forums held by the National Research Institutes (NRI) for the discussion of political parties and their policies for this years’ election.
Babe said the dual citizenship act would be repealed as one of its agendas under its safety and security policy.
However, he did not specify the security reasons but rather who it benefitted that warranted its repealing.
“Our issue is that dual citizenship does not benefit the indigenous people of this country. It is for the privileged few.
“So we feel that it is not worth considering that policy. Because our partners and friends from overseas, they have an option to come in as visitors or under business visa’s, so that option is there and to us dual citizenship is not good for this country,” Babe said.
Early last month, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Rimbink Pato, announced that applications for dual citizenship would be ready by March once all administrative processes were complete.
He said this created an opportunity for Papua New Guineans domestically and around the world.
“Through dual citizenship our best and brightest can retain their connection with their homeland and not be hampered by bureaucracy.
“With dual citizenship we are better able to attract skilled workers who will be able to stay and build a home in Papua New Guinea, but still be able to return with ease to their place of birth to see family,” said Pato in a statement.
The repealing would have an effect Papua New Guinea’s born in other country’s.
Babe slightly changed his position on this stating the ODP would have to seek proper advise on this.
“We will closely look at this and get our best advice that we can.
“So as long as if those people are living overseas and their returning here are genuine and what kind of a contribution they will make for the development for our country,” he said.
ODP was established in 2009 by current Minister for Public Service and Abau MP, Sir Puka Temu.
The party contested 40 seats during the 2012 National Elections but only secured one seat through Temu. He would eventually join another party leaving ODP without a parliamentary leader.
The ODP has eight policy pillars focused on human development and the improvement of development indicators.
The party is expecting to field between 20 to 25 candidates in the 2017 National Elections.