Autonomy

Sir Julius advocates resource ownership

Despite it being a national holiday, Sir J dedicated four hours on Friday, June 16th, to reinforce his thoughts on these matters and shed light on several private member's bills that will soon be presented to parliament.

Accompanying Sir Julius Chan were Deputy Chairman of the New Ireland Autonomy Committee, Byron Chan; former Ambassador and former People's Progress Party President, Sumasy Singin, consultant legislative counsel, Kalu Yomilewa; and legal advisor, Dr. John Kwimb.

NIP’s bid for Autonomy to go before Parlt

New Ireland Governor, Sir Julius will present the Amendment bill and is hopeful the house will give their unanimous support to make his and New Ireland’s dream a reality. 
 
The amendment to the Constitution will give effect to grant and establish autonomous governments in PNG, giving provinces like New Ireland attain some level of independence in decision making and development aspirations. 
 
The proposed amendment will capture the decentralization of powers to achieve;

NIP adamant about autonomy

To achieve political, financial and administrative autonomy, the province has developed two important constitutional laws to chart the way forward.

Governor Sir Julius Chan said important constitutional laws were endorsed by the Provincial Executive Council (PEC) in 2012.

They are; the Constitution Amendment Law on the Autonomous Government and Organic Law on the Autonomous Governments.

Sir Julius is calling on the National Government to approve the 2019 Autonomy submissions for the three pilot provinces; East New Britain, Enga and New Ireland.

Self-Reliance Way Forward: Chan

He said New Ireland has chosen to walk the talk of self-reliance and Autonomy since 2007 and recent achievements stand testimony of the work and ability to become fully autonomous. It is also to involve women in certain local government seats.
 
In March of 2008, NIP Autonomy Committee was set up headed by late Stephen Mokis and worked for five years to prepare for autonomy. The committee held consultative meetings and workshops with a number of government agencies.

Autonomy research reports launched

The two research reports are the latest entries of seven reports prepared by the NRI Bougainville Referendum Project as part of the preparation of the Bougainville Referendum in 2019.

The two reports, launched last Thursday, look at autonomy from two perspectives: Political and Fiscal Autonomy.

The first around political autonomy was undertaken by a team of three researchers from EURAC.

The authors responded to the questions posed in the terms of reference. The questions were;

• What is autonomy?

Second autonomy review underway

ABG Chief Secretary, Joseph Nobetau, said the review was the second since the formation of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, and would look at autonomy implementation from both sides of the government.

“The Review Team have provided their work plans to myself and National Government Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari, and will soon travel to Bougainville to undertake consultations,” Nobetau said.

“We look forward to a review with practical outcomes that set out the way forward for autonomy and the referendum.

Turning point for NIP: Governor

This was the message from New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan after the July 12th Inter Government Agreement signing between the Government and New Ireland, East New Britain and Enga Province.

A determined and satisfied Governor conveyed that the signing was a historical moment, a turning point for the country and a win for his people and generations to come.

Autonomy signing for 3 provinces

During the signing on Thursday, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said this is another step forward from 2012, where his government in the last term of Parliament commissioned the review of the Organic.

At the event in Madang Province, O’Neill said in the Alotau Accord II, they made a commitment to give financial and administrative autonomy to provinces.

“The review report was endorsed by NEC in May 2015 and in June 2015, the final review report was accepted by Parliament,” stated the PM.

Request for autonomy ‘not an attack’

“Some people have interpreted it as if we are trying to separate ourselves from Papua New Guinea,” says New Ireland Province Governor Sir Julius Chan.

“As if we wanted to somehow weaken Papua New Guinea.

“That is the opposite of what we really want to do.

“We believe that the best way to achieve prosperity for all is to grant greater autonomy to the provinces as they show that they have the capacity and skills for this,” clarifies Sir Julius.

PM stresses on provincial empowerment

This statement by Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, who is in New Ireland Province for the opening of the Namatanai Government House, was met with loud applause.

The PM and his delegation of Government ministers were received with much fanfare in Namatanai this morning.

The subject that dominated all speeches was autonomy.

PM O'Neill said New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan never failed to broach the subject of provincial empowerment at every opportunity.

"I want you to know that you have a believer in me," stated the PM.