parliamentary committee

Member for Goroka, Aiye Tambua called on the government to establish a parliamentary committee to ensure proper policies, regulations and controls are put on cheap alcohol that are easily accessible to many in the communities.

In the last session of Parliament in 2021, MP Tambua introduced a bill to increase the penalty for the production of dangerous drugs. He highlighted a recent incident that shut down Goroka town all because two young men had consumed cheap alcohol, got drunk and started a fight that escalated.

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The existing Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Peace and Security will now be expanded to become the Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Human Rights.

Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of the Committee, Francesca Semoso, said with human rights underpinning the existing thematic areas of the committee, it was a logical choice to see its mandate expanded and portfolio broadened.

The 24-member Opposition team said the referral of Madang MP Bryan Kramer was a biased decision and a ploy to censor freedom of expression in the country.

“As far as we are concerned, a public statement is subject to scrutiny by every citizen of this country, including members of Parliament,” said Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch.

They said the tactic is employed to deny leaders and the people of the country their right to criticise leaders.

“If we allow this to happen, this is a very sad day,” said Moresby North West MP, Mekere Morauta.