Election Laws Must Be Introduced With Other Laws

The Country Party calls on the O'Neill Government to introduce the revised version of the OLIPPAC Law and Organic Law on National and Local Elections and also the Organic Law on Provibcial and LLG and associated laws like Provincial Administration Act and LLG Administration Acts in this session of Parliament. 

Nelson Duwabane, President said that the constitutional law requires three separate sessions of Parliament which may affect its implementation in 2017 Elections.

The Country Party commends the review of the Organic Law on Integrity of Political Political Parties and Candidates, OLIPPAC on funding and staffing support to Opposition and withdrawing funding for defecting MP but also wants other laws that compliment the political and governance systems should be amended together. Aby laws that affects national elections or political parties must apply at provincial and local level.

Nelson Duwabane, President of the Country Party said that debate on the election fees should also be considered for impact on provincial and local elections but importantly capacity of persons from remote rual electorates of Telefomin, Middle Ramu, Karimui, Marawaka, kaintiba, Maramuni and their capacity to earn and pay fees.

He also challenged the Department of Plannibg, Statistical Office abd Natiobal Fiscal Commission to release the Annual Income per capital and the avearage income per annum in the 89 Districts so Members of Parliament can have ibformed debate.

However, that is our challenge to the Parliament Legislation Committee and Members of Parliament to scrutinise legislation. Some of us wanted the provision out whilst others wanted the provision included or fee increased. It is incumbent on the legislature to debate and they must have the information to debate.

Country Party had a prominent role into the development of Parliamentary democracy and Westminster system and was vocal in the adoption of the Constitution and we expect due diligence and voting on conscience.

We must accept democracy being one vote per person, majority rules and minority rights and at present we already have a majority in government that wants more stability and more laws such as reducing number of sitting days and grace period and increase in nomination fee which points to more uncertainty.

Also we adopted the separation of powers, parliamentary practice and procedures and electoral, governance and Political party system which will be derailed if functions of parliament to debate constructively is diluted or not enough opportunity or information is provided.

In Parliament, we are regressing when Party Leaders who should occupy the front seats of the government, opposition and Middle bench as spokesman for the party and must be a Minister or Shadow Minister. A party leader must be a Minister or shadow Minister yet sometimes we see other Members are appointed in senior portfolios which leads to political instability. If a Leader is decommissioned, effectively in the Westminster system, the whole party is removed.

Instead of developing our systems and Political culture, we are regressing.

We don't need legislation to control political behavior but norms and values to develop political mindset of the people. Mr Duwabane said OLIPPAC is required to guide us develop the party system and develop political culture such as party solidarity where the whole party moves out of government or do not vote for certain legislations.

Political stability has nothing to do with political parties but with persons who do not have integrity and will continue to support a corrupt government or does not speak out or moves from one party to another. 

Mr Duwabane said OLIPPAC is necessary but should address culture of what is the practice, procedures and precedents when a person from another party defeats the incumbent from another party but decides to join his predecessors party. Obviously the electors have been cheated hence penalties must apply for such behaviour. Also issue now is whether to legislate these processes such as increasing fees to party registration or candidates nomination for elected leaders to follow or allow integrity that should regulate our election behaviour.