Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698054925905.pdf (Papua New Guinea)
SECOND DAY Wednesday 05 September 2012 DRAFT HANSARD Subject: Page: IMPUTATIONS OF IMPROPER MOTIVES AND PERSONAL REFLECTIONS - STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER MOTION BY LEAVE SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - REARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR INTER-GOVERNMENT RELATIONS - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - PAPER NOTED MOTION BY LEAVE SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - REARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE SINKING OF MV RABAUL QUEEN - REPORT - MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF PAPER MOTION BY LEAVE SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - REARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT SPEAKERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANET PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON BROADCASTING OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS, ACTS AND SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS 2 2 2 3 36 37 37 46 46 47 47 47 48 PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND TOURISM APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON LAW AND ORDER - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARLIAMENT - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON RETIREMENT BENEFITS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PLANS AND ESTIMATES - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUSINESS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PRIVILEGES - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS -
 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON STANDING ORDERS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATION - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINE SERVICES - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS 48 48 49 49 49 50 50 50 51 51 51 52 52 52 53 53 ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND FAMILY AND WELFARE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON LANDS AND ENVIRONMENT - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON MINERALS AND ENERGY - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON PRIMARY RESOURCE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT AND CIVIL AVIATION - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON INTER - GOVERNMENT RELATIONS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT ADJOURNMENT 53 54 54 54 55 55 55 56 56 56 57 57 57 SECOND DAY Wednesday 05 September 2012 The
 Speaker (Mr Theo Zurenuoc) took the Chair at 10.10 a.m..
There being no quorum present, Mr Speaker stated that he would resume the Chair after the ringing of the Bells.

Sitting suspended.

The Speaker again took the Chair at 10.50 a.m., and invited the Member for Kundiawa, Honourable Tobias Kulang, to say Prayers: 'God Papa, tru tumas yu stap na na mipela stap.

Long displa dei mipela bringim displa sesen bilong Palamen ikam bek long han bilong yu.
Mipela husait lain istap insait long dispela Haus, yu yet em yu makim long em long represent™ ol pipol bilong yu long displa kantri.

Papa God, long displa monin taim mipela beiten olsem bai yu larim spirit bilong yu iken givim mipela gutpela tinging, gutpela stia na daireksen long makim rot long wanem hap mipela ken bringim dispela kantri wantaim ol pipol bilong yu igo long em.

Long displa taim, Papa God, mipela hambolim mipela yet, na tru tumas yu stap na mipela stap.
Sapos halivim bilong yu ino stap bai mipela popaia yet.

Mipela bringim mipela yet olgeta, mipela bringim Praim Minista bilong mipela kam long han bilong yu wantaim olgeta Ministas, Oposisen Lida na olgeta elekted lidas, mipela bringim ikam andanit long sekim bilong yu long blesing bilong yu, olsem Solomon ibin askim long gutpela tinging so mipela iken mekim gutpela wok insait long dispela Haus na mipela ken representim na lidim ol pipol bilong yu go long wanem hap pies yu yet imakim pinis long em.
Wantaim displa, Papa God, mipela wokim displa beiten pikinini bilong yu yet ibin tisim mipela long em.

Amen' IMPUTATIONS OF IMPROPER MOTIVES AND PERSONAL REFLECTIONS - STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Mr SPEAKER - Honourable Members, I wish to inform Parliament that under Section 79 of the Standing Orders, all imputations of improper motives and personal reflections on Members on the Floor of Parliament are considered highly disorderly.
Therefore, I wish to inform Parliament that I will not allow any references to be made on the NPF Inquiry, which may cast doubts on the integrities of leaders as I believe that the matter has been competently dealt with and disposed by Parliament as well the Courts.

If Members therefore have any new information on the matter, I would urge you to take them up through proper channels.
I will also rule that part of the Deputy Opposition Leader's speech stated on the Floor of Parliament yesterday making reference to the NPF Inquiry, should be struck out of the Hansard.

MOTION BY LEAVE Mr JAMES MARAPE (Tari - Minister for Finance) -1 ask leave of the Parliament to move a motion without notice.

Leave granted.
Leave granted.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - REARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent Ministerial statements being called on forthwith.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR INTER-GOVERNMENT RELATIONS - MINISTERIAL STATEMENT - PAPER NOTED Mr LEO DION (East New Britain - Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Inter- Government Relations) - Thank you, Mr Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to table my Statement.
Mr Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand before you and make some remarks and observations at the start of the Ninth Parliament.

As this is the first occasion for me to address this eminent body as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Inter-Government Relations, please allow me at the outset to congratulate you on your election to the Speaker's post.

The overwhelming vote cast in your favour was a display of trust and confidence in your capability to take charge of this Parliament.
You have publicly made known your desire to bring back some dignity to the Peoples' House of Parliament and restore some much needed credibility.

To that extent, let me assure you of my total support.

Mr Speaker, I also take this opportunity to reiterate my word of thanks and deep appreciation to Prime Minister, Honourable Peter O'Neill, for allocating the Deputy Prime Minister's post to the Triumph Heritage Empowerment (THE) Party.
On the same token, I sincerely thank my party leader, Honourable Don Polye, for allowing my province to have that honour of having the second highest position in the country.

Mr Speaker, I have taken on board a Ministry that is multi-functional and spans the entire spectrum of the government machinery.

This is a ministry that covers 315 LLGs and 6138 wards across all provinces, except the National Capital District and the Autonomous Government of Bougainville, which are accorded separate legal statuses.
There are a number of important responsibilities under the Inter-Government Relations Ministry that are specified under the Prime Minister's Ministerial Determination on Titles and Responsibilities.

Among them are: The Border Development Authority; The Liquor Licensing Commission; - The National Disaster Center; - The National Fire Services; - The Northern Restoration Authority; and - The Gazelle Restoration Authority.
The Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs of course comes under this ministry also.

There are also pieces of legislation that are administered fully or partly under the Ministry for Inter-Government Relations.
Among the key ones are: The Border Development Authority Act 2008; The Disaster Management Act; The Organic Law on Peace-Building in Bougainville Autonomous Bougainville Government and Bougainville Referendum; and most importantly, The Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments.

02/02 The Bougainville Referendum is an important act of free choice that Parliament must pay serious attention, given its wider repercussions for Papua New Guinea.
The referendum is scheduled to take place at a time between 2015 and 2020.

That partly falls under the current Parliamentary Term.

Whilst we respect the free choice of Bougainvilleans, there is no doubt about Papua New Guinea's commitment to that province as an integral part of the country.

The Border Development Authority, an area at the heart of the PNG Vision 2050, must be revisited with a view towards strengthening linkages between the national and sub-national governments.
Mr Speaker, the Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs is mandated through the Organic Law on Provincial and Local-level Governments.

This Organic Law holds the whole structure in place.

All capacity building and good governance programs are supervised under this Law, especially those relating to provincial administrations, Local-level Government administrations, and elected leaders in the province and LLGs.
The Department of Provincial and Local Government Affairs, Mr Speaker, also supports the Minister to implement his Statutory Roles and Responsibilities under the Ministerial Determination.

To that end, I have been well briefed by senior officials from the Department about matters relating to its operations and challenges.

The Department, I am told, suffers principally from ongoing limitations in financial resources, which affects its reach to all parts of the country.
We are told repeatedly, Mr Speaker, that corruption at all levels of government has compromised the state machinery.

We are also informed regularly that public servants lack proper work ethics and values in the manner in which they approach their responsibilities.

While cautiously agreeing with the above issues, I would like to submit that there are also serious problems with the institutional structures that we use to deliver goods and services to our people.
The structures are either badly designed or outdated.

The previous O'Neill-Namah Government promised a fee-free education policy and quality affordable health care to our people.

The current O'Neill-Dion Government has reiterated its position on these policies.

With weak delivery processes in place, it is likely that such undertakings will be adequately and effectively carried out, which would be to the detriment of the targeted populations.
It is in that light that the Organic Law on the Provincial and Local-level Governments needs careful analysis.

The PNG Vision 2050 declares that the Decade from 2010 to 2020 is the period when reforms can take place in order to set the stage for the following 30 years.

The review process I am advocating is in line with this declaration.
Mr Speaker, the present demands and expectations that permeate the reciprocal relationship between Members of Parliament and the people must be addressed so that a greater sense of ownership of State institutions and processes is enhanced.

We cannot expect a proper process of service delivery if there are institutional deficiencies with the structure that holds together our three-tier system of Government.
Mr Speaker, I address this Parliament at a juncture in my political career where I have held neither the Deputy Prime Minister's post nor a ministry.

However, I have been a parliamentarian under three different Prime Ministers over three terms since 2000.

During that time, I have been privileged to have served as the Governor of East New Britain.

Prior to entering Parliament, I was a Ward Councilor before I became an LLG President.
Mr Speaker, I do not want to sound as if I am blowing my own trumpet, but I am merely stressing these known facts about my political career to indicate that I was briefed in my Department about things I already knew.

I came to recognise long ago the loopholes in the Organic Law on the Provincial and Local-level Governments.

More than that, I have experienced and witnessed the deterioration of services delivered to the people.
Mr Speaker, the country's independence 37 years ago did not only mark the beginning of our sovereign political life, at the heart of that occasion was a promise to the people of Papua New Guinea that their welfare and that of generations to come were to be prioritised at all times.

That promise is anchored in our Constitution and related laws.

That promise in its many manifestations is administered through Ministries and other public institutions.
It is reinvigorated through important government undertakings such as development plans and strategies including lately the PNG Vision 2050 and occasional reforms that are meant to set governments actions back on course.

Mr Speaker, there is a reason why I keep referring to the Organic Law on Provincial and Local-level Governments and repeatedly emphasizing service delivery.

It is time to stop talking about lack of resources and start considering options so that we can chart ways forward.
For reasons of sustainability over the next five years, I urge both sides of the Parliament, in a bipartisan spirit to consider ways and measures on how best to deliver services to our people.

Our people deserve more than what has been offered to them in the past and until today.

03/02 Mr Speaker, I therefore, intend to put in place a Ministerial Action Plan that will be developed within the first 100 days of the O'Neill-Dion Government in office.
The plan, as a start, will review the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments.

I am aware that this law has been the subject of many studies since the reform of the provincial government system in 1995.

It is time to carefully go through those reports and glean from them ways that can be considered to improve the central structure of our government system.

Mr Speaker, the Ministerial Action Plan will stand on three pillars; two medium terms and one long term.
A relevant and effective political and administrative structure that suits the demands of the country in the 21st century; Greater empowerment of the people at the provincial and local level government levels, and; Strengthening and firmly unifying Papua and New Guinea.

Mr Speaker, let me briefly outline each of these pillars.
To make a political and administrative structure relevant for PNG we all must come to terms with the reasons why the provincial government system was initially introduced in the 1970s.

At the centre was the position taken by some provinces during these formative years to have more says in the way their provinces were to be run.

Built into the decentralized provincial government system was a delivery mechanism that was easily accessible and sufficiently sensitive to the wishes of our people.
In that regard, the people had more direct ownership and contact with the State through the provincial government and leaders at this level.

Between the late 1970s and mid 1990s the form of provincial government system served to address the demands of the provinces but, particularly, those who valued the Decentralisation Policy.
Mr Speaker, it would be misleading, however, for anyone to assume that the actual existence of the former provincial government system was responsible for holding this country together.

Whilst the provincial government system was founded on threats of secession, the reality was that only a handful of provinces were operating well.

What became painfully evident was that provinces did not have the manpower capacity and discipline to properly run their affairs.
Mr Speaker, the present Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments, I believe, has not improved the provinces since it was adopted in 1995.

In the haste to cut out the excessive cost of running 20 provincial governments as it was in the old system, the reality that is evident today is that the onus has now been placed on central departments and agencies that are isolated from provinces.
On the other side local-level governments and wards sit and operate awkwardly as if they are stationed on another planet far removed from Waigani.

In the pretext of giving more powers and responsibilities to the people at the local-level government and ward levels, the powers that mattered most such as revenue generation were moved back to the centre.

Mr Speaker, a serious consequence of all those changes was that the once reliable service delivery system was now rendered ineffective.
That many of us today are confounded by the way our provincial government systems operate is to be expected.

Seventeen years after the provincial government reforms, a number of enabling legislation are yet to be adopted in most provinces to support the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments.

The ministerial action plan I have in mind is to address the wide divide between the centre and the periphery.
We need to build a permanent and vibrant delivery bridge between the centre of power and government and our people.

But there are some serious issues that we as legislators must be cognizant of.

The type of handout mentality that was evident in the colonial days did not disappear during the old provincial government system.

The type of demands and expectation placed on the State systems and as Members of Parliament are clearly evident today.
Mr Speaker, I firmly believe that we need a revised structure that empowers our people.

One that can aid a process that instills self reliance amongst the people from the bottom up.

This is a process that is open to different stakeholders and demographic groups and encourages them to participate.

Given the present healthy state of the economy, we need to encourage an effective framework from partnership in service delivery with the private sector.
Likewise, the State's relationship with churches must be further developed and re-oriented towards the development of quality citizens.

Needless to say, both the private sector and churches, including the international community are indispensable development partners.

To that end, the youths, as a demographic group should be the focus of attention.

I as future leaders, Mr Speaker, we cannot leave everything to what schools or churches offer.
As elected representatives, we must take a proactive step so as not to leave matters to chance.

From where they grow up young men and women must know how to toil the land, develop handcraft skills and learn to recognize business opportunities.

They must develop people skills so that they eventually become resourceful members of the community.
Therefore, Mr Speaker, the second pillar in my ministerial action plan is not necessarily a case of merely giving political authority to people at the lower levels of government but, 8 importantly, it is about giving more economic opportunity and policy space for people at these levels to enhance their capacities to look after their own affairs.

04/02 This is defined as enhancing people's empowerment at the sub-national levels of government.
Mr Speaker, the third pillar; strengthening and unifying Papua New Guinea is a long-term goal.

There is a greater chance that this goal will be achieved if the first two Medium Term pillars are properly addressed.

Mr Speaker, let me repeat, I intend to undertake the first immediate steps within the first 100 days as part of the Ministerial Action Plan.
My first goal is to reveal the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments in order to strengthen service delivery in the provinces, self reliance and financial independence.

Mr Speaker, the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Governments Act has to be aligned to all other enabling legislations that mandate national agencies so that there are no competing and overlapping interests at the domain where it matters the most, the provincial space.
Mr Speaker, on the Border Development Authority, I intend to revisit its original purpose and cross check how it has performed to the present.

Through my department I will seek to mainstream the Border security and development goals into the provincial governments' agenda so as to avoid duplication.

At the same time, I will aggressively address and contain transitional criminal activities.

Mr Speaker, Disaster Management has become a mainstream issue for the National Government and provinces.
Given that Papua New Guinea is prone to natural disasters of different types and magnitude it is absolutely critical for the welfare of our people that timely response, mechanisms and financial preparedness are updated or remain current.

In this regard, Governmental structures that have become roadblocks to the realization of an efficient national disaster response strategy must be reviewed.
Mr Speaker, as you would appreciate from the above, my roles and responsibilities are many and varied, and as such adequate financing would be required for me to serve the country in these roles.

I, therefore, urge this honourable Parliament to support increased resource flows to provincial governments which shall ultimately serve to improve service delivery enhance maintenance and improve border security and disaster management.
Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to clearly state that I am not suggesting that we should re-invent the wheel through my proposed Ministerial Action Plan.

Indeed various frameworks and blueprint are already in action.

Some of them are lying dormant.

Rather, I would like to think that we have had enough talking and it is now time to confront our challenges.
I, again, urge all the Members of Parliament to support me as you consider the best and practical ways to guarantee the three key areas in the development of our people.

Proper education for our children and adults, proper healthcare for everyone and allow everyone to have access to money making activities.

That, Mr Speaker, is the peoples right we cannot deny.

That is the crutch of the Ministerial Action Plan.


Mr DON POL YE (Kandep - Minister for Finance) -1 move - That the Parliament take note of the paper.

Mr Speaker, I join my colleague Members in congratulating you on your election as the Speaker of Parliament and I am confident that in your wisdom you are able to restore credibility to this honourable Parliament.
Mr Speaker, I am looking forward to working closely with you as the Treasurer of this country to fund adequately your Committees in Parliament so that Parliamentary democracy in the parliament is vibrant and working.

Mr Speaker, not only the Ministers will be working but Committees with their Chairpersons will be out working to ensure that Parliament is transparent.
Mr Speaker, during the elections recently, we all went out and campaigned and in my campaigns through-out the country as the Party Leader of the Triumphant Heritage Party, I spoke 10 of the challenges we face as a young nation and I echoed the same sentiments on the Floor of this Parliament in the closing session of the 8th Parliament.

The Triumph Heritage Party platform was based on what the Government should do from our perspective.
We spoke and campaigned about our plans to build this country on the foundations of quality education and expose our people to various aspects of modernization.

We talked about expertise and specialties that our people must pursue and it was the role of the Government to facilitate in contributing to the human resource sector.
Mr Speaker, we talked about the intellectual capital that Papua New Guinea must harness, develop and empower and I am happy to say that the Honourable Prime Minister made mention of these very adequate issues in his address in Parliament yesterday, regarding the country being built on the rock of education.

05/02 When we talk about education we are not only talking about schools alone but it covers all levels of schooling that educate people for life and prepare them for real work.
I have often spoken of major upgrades in technical colleges to improve trade training for real jobs and to teach our children about modern agriculture and to ensure that all of our children can handle finances and basic business management.

The Prime Minister did mention that in his speech yesterday that we have got to impart that to our children the technical knowledge of managing finances in this country.
Even a simple family can sit down to talk about the little income they are earning and how they can lay it down in a simple family budget and then they can also talk about savings.

We must save even through the little that we earn so that we save for the future.

I am glad this Government has highlighted this as one of the paramount areas that will be looked at but that must also be taught to the children in the various aspects of educating our people for real jobs.
Why is this so; Mr Speaker, really when you look at it, today's children are our future.

We say it many times but often we do not mean what we say.

We really need to think about it and if we are thinking of 2050 Vision, we are really referring to the babies that are being born now.

11 We raise these children and culture them in the ways that will make the next 20-30 years better than the current time we live in.
This can be done by harnessing the talent, hope and opportunity that lives in the youth of our nation will make us become a truly strong nation in the region as well as globally.

And I strongly support the Deputy Prime Minister when he talked about the youth to drive the economy of the country.

I also made it clear that we must provide a sound and sustainable economy that pledges to our strengths.
Mining, agriculture and tourism are areas to work on through the growing pool of talent that we will build through education and engagement of families, women and youth in our economy.

Unless we empower youth, family and the women to take ownership of this country's progress we will never get anywhere.

The Government's job is to make sure we empower these people to take charge of this country's economic progress.
The agricultural and tourism industries need to be addressed tangibly and very aggressively by way of impact projects and addressing plantations and dividing those that have deteriorated but also at the same time establishing those new projects that are on the way.

We also have ease up the land we have, especially freeing up the customary land that we have for commercialization so that we can bring the rentals and cost of housing and accommodation to an affordable level in order to grow tourism.
And also through empowering people through medium and small scale enterprises, today I speak to this Parliament in a different role as the Treasurer of the Nation.

As part of a government that draws together members not only from THE Party and PNC Party but also from the political spectrum across the nation.

This is a Government of unity, of reconciliation and of hope.
We start largely with a clean slate and the challenge for this government is to remain focused on one objective and that is to build a stronger and fairer Papua New Guinea as was alluded to by the Prime Minister yesterday.

If we really look at it; the policies of parties in Parliament today are not different and that they are very similar with very little differences and because of these we can work together towards that goal in order to achieve greatness.
12 We all have a commitment to building the education system and we are committed to helping our citizens find opportunities for themselves and their families and this is one of the views that I believe the Parliament holds strong.

I am encouraged that we in Parliament talk about families, how much they are earning daily?

The per capita income is less than K2000 and we have to increase that.

I am confident that by building a government based on trust and transparency we can build a new Papua New Guinea.
It's time for a new beginning and this Government represents the first steps in providing that new beginning and we support the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers and even with opposition support in the course for creating a new beginning for Papua New Guinea.

Mr Speaker, I suppose it will be my responsibility to ensure that Treasury is an effective modern department that meets its obligations to serve Papua New Guinea.

As Treasurer, I am responsible for the management of the National Budget.
06/02 Mr Speaker, so far, the Budget has managed very well despite the challenge we faced in the elections.

I can assure you of that.

I am also responsible for the development and implementation of the budget framework and the provision of economic investment, tax policy as well as importantly the management of the government's public debt.

In all these activities, we know that the people of this country are at the centre or core of the interest of the O'Neill-Dion Government.
In carrying out that role, the one ensuring objective is to ensure that the national interest is protected.

Mr Speaker, so let me assure Parliament today that I am determined to ensure that the Treasury is operated in an open, honest and accountable manner with full and proper accountability.
I will work closely with the Minister for Finance, Minister for National Planning, Prime Minister and other economic key Ministers and of course with the Opposition Leader as well as the Members of the Opposition in making sure that the finance of the country are accountable, transparent and serves the people.

I will also do my best to make Treasury the benchmark for all government institutions because only by developing a working environment where all the staffs give their best can we 13 move forward.
We support the points made by the Minister for Public Service yesterday.

Working for the Government must be an honour and we should not take it for granted.

Whether we are working for Papua New Guinea or as Members of Parliament or as public servants, serving our people should be an honour.

We should gain our national greatness by hard work and not by gambling or by ease.
I will be working with the Secretary, Mr Tosali, to review the Treasury's operations to see how we can do better in meeting the important obligations placed on this Department, particularly in the areas of revenue raising and in our oversight of the expenditure of government.
I will be enabling a review to the Financial Management Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the ICCC Act and the other legislative frameworks that regulate mobilisation of resources both domestically and internationally to have resource available for stimulating economic growth.
We will also seek a review to the Medium Term Development Strategy, the Fiscal Management Strategy and the National Debt Management Strategy to ensure that it is conducive enough for mobilising economy within current economic growth so that there is ample basic development on the ground tangibly which people can enjoy.
Mr Speaker, I must also congratulate the Deputy Prime Minister, Honourable Leo Dion on his appointment to this position which reflects the Government's understanding of the need to effectively represent all parts of the nation rather than polarising power.

I had the honour of being the Deputy Prime Minister in the past.

It is an important role and I am sure that the Member for East New Britain will be a great Deputy Prime Minister.
Mr Speaker, as leader of THE Party, I also want to commend the election of the three women into Parliament.

Our Party is always been committed to building the number of women in Parliament and we actually sought female candidates with strong community backgrounds who had the respect of the local communities.

Of the four candidates we selected, two were successful.

Mr Speaker, this is an historic moment in our history.

It is a credit to our maturing electoral system that we had such a success.
This is a country in transition from breaking from the ties of a very strong culturally entrenched male dominated society to one that is freeing up 14 opportunities for all women in this country to perform not only as political leaders but also in other professional fields in the world.

Mr Speaker, in celebrating this moment, let me pay tribute to Dame Carol Kidu, somebody whom I admire so much in this field.
At times, only one voice on this Floor of Parliament, Dame Carol Kidu was fearless in advocacy for women.

The Management of the Community Relations is a credit to her.

The Government should look to see how Dame Carol Kidu's skills and experience can be retained for the benefit of the nation and support the women folk in this country.
It is against this backdrop that we as a nation must recommit to looking after our children, our families and the disabled; some of the very important policies that she devised during her term.

Our children are our future.

As parents, we should not ignore our obligation to this world but to leave this world a better place, a place where our children can look to the future with great hope and excitement and not with fear and trepidation.
Sometimes we take it easy and cool at leadership level and we forget some of these very important issues.

So we have a duty to making sure that we create a fundament and conducive environment that brings out a strong, sound and prosperous Papua New Guinea so that our children in the future can enjoy it.

It would be morally wrong for us to be irresponsible and create a future that is so bad that our children will have to suffer.
They cannot compete or survive because there is no facilitation on the ground for them to do all those necessary things that they need to survive.

That means, Mr Speaker, our commitment to education must be genuine; quality education is the drive that we must drive.

07/02 The education that we provide must be for the real jobs and not just educating our children with the degree.

It must be a quality education for a real job that they can find in the market.
Mr Speaker, that is why we are emphasizing the law and order situation as a priority of this Government so our children and families can grow and mature in safety.

Consequently, this Government in this place is focusing on building stronger economy that gives all of us hope.

I 15 believe that the Prime Minister's statement is on the right track to building a vibrant economy in this perspective.
Mr Speaker, we often advocated the importance of our customs, which is our Melanesian Ways and our Christian heritage of which we sing and we pledge our Cultural Heritage as the Source of our strength.

Sometimes, we do not find the right words to express this but it is the source of our strength.
In particular, in seeking a solution to the constitutional disputes that we had recently during the political impasse, like the role of the Courts and the Parliament, of course, the position of the Grant Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare have made it very clear that we should look at customary reconciliation.

Mr Speaker as Melanesians, customary reconciliation is an important part of our culture.
Many of our conflict resolution cultures are dying because we decided to copy the western means of reconciliation.

Sometimes, we forgot that we have some very good important values, principals and customs that are the best in the world for reconciliation.

A classical example is the Melanesian Papua New Guinean Way, the Pacific Way of pacifying issues and finding common understanding and finding way forward in reconciling with one another.
Mr Speaker, I think many of us, as Ministers or Government Members tend to forget that the Members on the Opposition are not just individuals but, that they represent the people of Papua New Guinea and therefore, the funds are delivered to them to their electorates within the context of law.
I believe, we must work together to deliver to the people and I also like to support many speakers who express similar sentiments and the call made by the Deputy Prime Minister that we must take the utmost care to ensure that in our use of reconciliation, we do not under mind the fundamentals of good governance.
We have a good unity within our system of Government, we should also take the opportunity to review the laws made in the person of the moment during the constitutional debate that cause so much difficulty for all of us.

The Prime Minister had made his statement and we all must support him with all our minds and hearts.
16 The separation of our different arms of government is fundamental to our constitutional framework but there are times that we all must work together to allow us to move on, of course, this is the time.

Mr Speaker, we can be proud and work together to construct successful Papua New Guinea for our benefit but more importantly, our children and grandchildren to benefit in the future.
The benefits must improve the lives of our people and as leaders it is our duty and responsibility to makes sure that we take every Papua New Guinean on this journey.

I am expressing this because most of the times we tend to forget our very people or we leave them behind to find their own means and ways for betterment.

I believe that when leaders do not leave their people behind or take their people with them is the trust that the people have bestowed on us through voting during the Election.
A classical example is, our people should know the policies that we make and the Parliamentary Committees are very important arm of the Government.

The Committee must be adequately funded because they are the ones go out and sell the Government policies.

Mr Speaker, many times we make laws, legislations, amendments, enactment and we come with strategies and the poor people do not know what we are passing in Parliament or what we are doing in Parliament.
Consequently, we are leaving the people completely behind and we are miles and miles ahead.

This must be changed and we must do things completely new and this means we as responsible elected leaders should educate our people about what laws and policies that we established.

Mr Speaker, I think we ought to do something completely different now and we achieve something new or do something that we have never achieved before.

We can build a village to become a skyscraper.


However, when constructing such development, sometimes we overlook the environment issues such the trees, flowers, plants and valleys.

Mr Belden Namah - Valleys and trees!

Mr DON POL YE - A village into skyscraper has always overlooked the landscapes, mountains, valleys, which should be considered as our heritage by law.
17 Mr Speaker, Jerusalem has a beautiful landscaping and mountains though, it is completely rocky area, and the mountains and natural landscape are protected by law of the Government.

They do not destroy them but instead they design on the natural landscaping and mountain.

The construction of building has to be built into the existing natural landscape.

This is an area, which is technical and it requires designers and the architecture.
I think we should do away with the prefabricated designed houses that come from overseas because we have hardwoods and trees in this country that can be used to build beautiful house or homes.

Mr Speaker, as a Minister, one of my major roles is to see how we can free up the capital within and abroad that is necessary to undertake the major infrastructure projects that he has alluded to yesterday.

With those, there is also a risk of running into what is called the 'Dutch Disease'.
While on that, I am satisfied that the Sovereign Wealth Fund's structure is in place and is addressing some of those issues and our deposits from the Extractive Industries can align into fiscal budget.

08/02 There are some infrastructure programmes that simply must be done today.

This will require a re-examination of our structure of the PPPs and other vehicles.
We must look at how we take the best advice and assistance from our development partners without those benefits being lost through an over bureaucratic approach.

I support this call for the abolishing of some of those unnecessary agencies, which I call the appendix to the systems of delivery, like DPM, as the Prime Minister mentioned and the National Planning Department which is now responsible for only planning, monitoring, evaluating and implementing.
The line agents are the ones responsible for implementing programmes and I also believe that the Department of Works should be the one to deliver the Government's implementation progress, rather than allowing the Health or Education Departments to do infrastructural jobs which is not their responsibility.

We must look to ways that allow exceptional young Papua New Guineans to study and work around the world so that they can bring their knowledge and experience back home for the 18 benefit of our nation.
We must send Papua New Guineans out; they must go to USA, Europe, China, India, Singapore, Malaysia and all the other parts of the world.

By doing this, two things will occur; firstly, they broaden their knowledge and that is what we need in this country.

Secondly, they will come home and build their country with the experience and knowledge that they have.

We must do that.
We must do that.

We may have a quality education system in Papua New Guinea but we must device a system that gives quality and job qualifications to our people but the next step is, let us expose our young Papua New Guineans to develop those expertise and knowledge abroad.

Then we bring them to build this country with a broader perspective rather than just thinking small.
We must support women in business and provide regulation and support of the informal sector to provide real opportunities at the grassroots level.

Mr Speaker, there is so much to do and so much to build.

Let history look back at this Government and Parliament and see a government of achievement for this is a Government of genuine hard work and achievement.

Let me finish by providing a warning and an invitation.

The warning is simple; the days of corruption must end.
You do not run away from corruption, you fight it head on.

If people steal from the nation, then they must be jailed.

The invitation is genuine; I have asked members from civil societies, anti corruption bodies, law enforcement and the Judiciary to work with this Government to build more effective laws to allow corruption to be brought to an end.

That will only happen when all citizens and Members and public servants know that when they steal, it is likely that they will be caught, convicted and jailed.
For example; if Don Polye steals, let him be jailed, bugger him, who is he?

He should not be stealing in the first place.

The laws of this country must be much higher than individuals of this nation.

The laws must rule.

Mr Speaker, it is an honour to be re-elected to this Parliament.

I thank the people of Kandep for returning me again on a majority vote and for the trust that they have placed in me.

I thank my party T.H.E.

Party, for their efforts in giving me fifteen Members of Parliament.
Mr Sam Basil - No informal votes.

19 Mr DON POL YE -1 thank the voters throughout the country for it is not easy for a new Party to come through this last campaign but we have done so because several of our people, colleagues and partners have worked together.
I thank the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, the Deputy Leader of Opposition, Minister William Duma, Leader of the National Alliance Party and others who worked with us to make this a reality to have a Government in place.

Let us build the foundations for Papua New Guinea now.

Let us create a conducive environment for young people to have a better life for tomorrow.

Let us build a bigger and a brighter future for young children.
Let us talk in terms of children, fathers and mothers.

Let us talk in terms of a Budget that is in the family.

Let us talk about family budgets and saving culture and growing our economy, but that economy must be grown by the people of this nation.

Mr JOSEPH LELANG (Kandrian - Gloucetser) - Thank you, Mr Speaker, it would be remiss of me not to offer my congratulations to you in your appointment as the Speaker of the Ninth Parliament.
I also would like to offer my congratulations to Honourable Peter O'Neill on his election as the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.

I would also like to offer my congratulations to the Members of you have been appointed as Ministers of Cabinet.

Mr Speaker, I thank the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Inter-Government Relations, the Honourable Leo Dion for his speech.
Mr Speaker, in his speech it was interesting to hear the Deputy Prime Minister lamenting on the inefficiencies that is confronting the Public Service, the service delivery system of government today, particularly on the inefficiency in terms of the legal and administrative structures that we have, and that breech has affected service delivery.

Mr Speaker, it is here now and we all know that the Public Service which is the service delivery system of government is inefficient.
09/02 It is highly politicized and unproductive.

It is pleasing to note that the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Inter-Government Relations proposal to establish a Ministerial 20 Action Plan.

We look forward to this plan and we hope that something good will come out from it to address this problem.
The Public Service delivery system and the costly decentralized political structure that we have inherited in 1995 will affect the O'Neill-Dion Government policies and the implementers of those programs over the next five years.

Is the Deputy Prime Minister alluding to a review of the political structure of the country and of the Provincial Government System; the relationship between the national government and the sub-national governments?
Mr Speaker, in the Prime Minister's address to the nation, he described a robust and growing economy and this is again re-accorded today by the Minister for Treasury.

Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister alluded to the formulation of a fiscal adjustment package to address the K513.1 million in budget deficit that has been projected for 2012.
It is disappointing, that the Minister for Treasury has not announced the fiscal adjustment package measures to address this large fiscal deficit of K513 million which the Prime Minister mentioned in his speech yesterday.

We need to know if this is going to happen this week.

We need to know how we are going to come out of this big black hole that is in our Budget.
Mr BELDEN NAMAH (Vanimo-Green - Opposition Leader) - Mr Speaker, I want to inform Parliament that I will be delivering my response in-reply to the Prime Minister's Statement and the Statement made by the His Excellency, Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio, on 3 August 2012.

I was prepared to deliver my statement tomorrow but unfortunately, I am informed by the Leader of the Government Business that the Parliament is due to adjourn today.
Mr Speaker, it saddens me that we are starting off the 9th Parliament on the wrong footing.

We are elected to Parliament to make policy decisions, to enact laws and repeal laws.

I would have thought that on 3 August, on the day of inauguration, Parliament should have continued for two weeks.

But today we come back here after the adjournment only to know that we are going to be sitting for only two days and before adjourning Parliament again.
I need time to prepare my respond to the Prime Minister's statement and the Governor General's statement.

21 Mr Speaker, you made a very good statement that you will from the Chair ensure that this Parliament is run properly without fear or favour.

But I think we are already starting off on the wrong footing.

For those Members of Parliament who have been just elected, these kind of actions must not be repeated time and time again on the Floor of Parliament.
We need to debate issues which are of importance to our country instead of coming in and adjourning Parliament for your own convenience.

Our people need us to debate on important issues that affect their lives.

Mr Speaker, I want to inform the people of Papua New Guinea that when Parliament convenes at the will of the Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business, I will deliver my response.

Mr WILLIAM DUMA (Hagen - Minister for Petroleum) - Thank you, Mr Speaker.
On behalf of my people in Hagen and the United Resource Party, I take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate the Deputy Prime Minister and the Provincial Member for East New Britain on his elevation to the post of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr Speaker, the Deputy Prime Minister came into this Parliament with a wealth of experience, having served as a Deputy Commissioner of Police and as a long serving member of the East New Britain Provincial Government.
All I can say is that Members in both the Government and Opposition can only gain from the experience that our Deputy Prime Minister brings to this Chamber.

We all came out of a very grueling and stressful 12 months when the O'Neill-Namah Government assumed power.

You all know that this country has never experienced this since the Sandline Crisis.

But the fact that our people have come and worked together to elect all the Members of Parliament demonstrates that this country has come of age.
Despite the Prophets of Doom, it is a vibrant democracy where our people were able to demonstrate democracy at its best.

Mr Speaker, we must not forget the fact that we are the servants of our people.

For those of us who are new here, all I can say is that when I entered Parliament I had dreams and I thought life will be straight forward.
22 10/02 But when one becomes a Member of Parliament, and I am saying it from experience, when a Member of Parliament decides to build a classroom in a particular electorate, other people from the same electorate tell him that that is not enough.

We need more classrooms or when he builds a bridge they tell him that's not enough.

When he decides to donate K1000 from his pay as a contribution towards a bride price ceremony or a funeral expense, they tell him that's not enough.
We are simply prisoners in many ways.

And yet, Mr Speaker, in a country of 6 million where many of our people are not employed and where we don't have a social security system like the one we find in other countries, we become marriage counselors, legal advisors, business advisors, post masters, automatic telling machines and the list goes on.

Being a Member of Parliament is not easy but, Mr Speaker, we have an opportunity to turn this country around.

We've made mistakes in the last 37 years.


We heard our Prime Minister make his State of the Nation address yesterday and there were four main questions the Prime Minister asked of us.

And I think those questions not only apply to the Prime Minister or Members on this side but they apply equally to all of us, whether you are in the Opposition or in the Government.
And if I may echo those questions, the first question the Prime Minister asked was, 'Why is it that our people continue to remain poor in a rich country?

Why is it that our citizens remain spectators while others prosper in business and other economic activities?

Why is it that our citizens are being reduced to the level of street sellers of cheap imports?

Why is it that our mothers have no other opportunity but to sell ice creams and betel nuts on the streets to put food on the table for their families?
Mr Speaker, all of us should be asking those questions and not only the Prime Minister.

And those questions are simply echoed from the National Goals and Directive Principles when our Founding Father founded the Constitution.

If we look at the 37 years, we've had our good times and bad times but if we can simply forget what has happened in the past and all cooperate and work together for our children and our grandchildren, we cannot go wrong.
We have some of our Founding Fathers in this Chamber with us and they have a wealth of experience.

We also have some very good well educated first- 23 time Members of Parliament who have joined this Parliament.

When we have that abundance of talent in this Parliament, Mr Speaker, the question that I want to ask is this, 'How can we ever go wrong?'

Mr Speaker, how can we ever go wrong?

We have learnt from the past 37 years.


And if all of us are committed and determined to do the best for our children and our grandchildren, we can never go wrong.

Mr Speaker, one thing that most of our Papua New Guineans tend to forget is that even though English is not our mother tongue, most of us are fluent in it.

We can read and write English.

We can use forks and knives.


We can dress up in modern clothes, and yet, in an instant, when we go back to our traditional society, we can easily, within a second, dress up in the traditional clothes that our ancestors dressed up in.

We can talk like them, kill pigs and make a mumu like them.

Most of us here are multi-lingual.

In addition to our mother tongues, we can speak English, Pidgin and maybe another language, Motu for instance.
But in other countries, for someone who can be able to master another language in addition to his own mother tongue, he is considered in many ways to be a genius.

And for us it is second nature.

Mr Speaker, that goes to show that we are smarter and more clever than we think we are.

We sometimes try to judge people by the colour of their skin.

Most of us were able to go to universities in other countries and pass our exams with flying colours.

It just goes to show that Papua New Guineans are very smart.
If we can harness that natural ability and devote our time and energy into serving our people, we have a better future.

We have the resources.

Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister in his State of the Nation Address captured everything that we all needed to know.

Whether you are in the Opposition or the Government, most of the issues that the Prime Minister covered apply equally to all of us.
In the event, if our friends on the other side were to take over government or to form government, the same issues that the Prime Minister tabulated last night will simply apply.

Whether we like it or not, we have those issues to take control of.

Mr Speaker, and I don't intend to speak for others, but I was one of those who was well off before I entered politics thinking that I would make a difference.

And I took great exception 24 to the Deputy Leader of Opposition's statement.
But fortunately he did not name names but he tried to give the impression that some of us who are here are corrupt.

But I can say that I am proud of my record.

I have served this country for the last nine years and no allegation has been made against me.

And I am sure most of us have done the same.

We are all here to serve our people.

Mr Speaker, yesterday we also heard our Deputy Prime Minister setting out a road map.
Whether we are in the Opposition or in Government, if all of us were to take heed of what the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister said yesterday, we won't go wrong.

I take this opportunity to thank the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare for making me his minister in the last seven years.

In my time as Minister, I contributed by ensuring that we had the first LNG Project.
And I stand ready to contribute again under the leadership of our Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to make the second InterOil Project a reality.

All of us, Ministers, Vice Ministers and Chairmen of Committees, we all have our responsibilities and if we perform them diligently and honestly, we will not go wrong.
Mr Speaker, finally, on the issue of corruption, we can have our dreams, we can talk about setting up the ICAC, we can talk about overhauling the Ombudsman, or the Police Force but the people who are going to make them work are the people we choose.
11/02 In a country where most of our people are not employed and where we rely on the wantok-system, in a country where you appoint a man in charge of the police prosecution service, a man in charge of the national forensic squad, a man who is a detective, and where we have a strong wantok-system we can have all our dreams and have all our laws but it will be very unfortunate that none of them will work.
We are all in a situation where we have an opportunity to choose our people carefully and if we put the right people in there, they will make those systems work.

Time and time again, we have put our faith and trust in our own people to make it happen but unfortunately they have let us down.

In this process the buck stops with us the political leaders.
25 In the case of ICC AC, if we are genuine it's about time we look offshore to bring in people who have got no relations whatsoever to our people who can do a good job.

Otherwise, all our dreams and plans will just go astray.

Mr BEN MICAH (Kavieng- Minister for Public and State Enterprises) - Mr Speaker, on behalf of my family and the people of Kavieng that I represent, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as the Speaker of the National Parliament.
Because of how the Parliament has performed in the last 10 years, I am sure that you will restore the Parliament's integrity and our people are expecting a lot from you.

Mr Speaker, I believe you are able to live up to the expectations of the Members and also to our people.

I also extend my congratulations to the Prime Minister on his election as the Executive Officer of this country and his Deputy.

I also congratulate the Opposition Leader and his Deputy and his colleagues on the other side.
For the last twelve months, working as the Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister's Office, it saddens me to sit in the Advisors box and see that the Opposition side is always empty.

I think it makes Parliament very incomplete.

I believe the Opposition stands to provide an effective role in offering transparency and helping the Government to stay on track in achieving the country's goals and objectives.
I would like to congratulate the people of Lae, Sohe and the Eastern Highlands Province for showing understanding, maturity and great compassion for the women leaders who are seated here in this Chamber.

This is a historical time to have three women Members at any one time and the womenfolk in this country make up almost 50 percent of our country's population.

Mr Speaker, I think I have also created history.


I believe I am the only Member who has been consistently out for three terms or fifteen and the people of Kavieng have given me that opportunity again to come back to this Parliament.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people not all of them but to the people who have given me this opportunity again.
26 (Laughter in the Chamber) Mr BEN MICAH - In the Bible, it is told that Lazarus died three days and was resurrected but in Papua New Guinea, I was gone for 15 years and now I am back.

So you have three women leaders and me, a leader after 15 years again.

(Laughter in the Chamber) Mr BEN MICAH - Mr Speaker, I would like to commend the Deputy Prime Minister, who is not in the Chamber but if you are in the Office, please take heed.
Mr Speaker, I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for presenting his Ministerial Action plan to improve the delivery system, which is locked into our Constitution.

Mr Speaker, when the Constituent Assembly met to adopt the Constitution in 1973, they adopted the system of Government that we now call the unitary system that enables law-making powers to be concentrated at the center.
It means that there was no room to allow decentralizaion or allow of some levels of government some participation in the making of laws or have a say in systems of government.

This is where our governing history comes from and we have to be clear on that.
Upon the recommendation of a team of consultants that were engaged by the Government at that time, they did a report called "Watch and Thought of Report, which recommended a system of decentralization and it has to be incorporated in the systems of a country that was about to be independent.
But history has made it clear that when our forefathers set to adopt the Constitution those recommendations were left out by the then Somare Government of the Constitution resulting in Bougainville taking the road that it took and its Members resigning from Parliament and all the issues that eventually led to the former provincial government system and the old Organic Law on Provincial Governments.
Mr Speaker, let me put all those debates into perspective because when I was a Member of Parliament in 1992 up to 1997,1 want to take the incumbent Governor for Western Highlands 27 who was then the Prime Minister, allowed the opportunity to take some drastic measures to address.
12/02 From experiences as shown in the Hesingut Report, partly completed Siaguru Report, and I also did two reports and we will continue to write reports and so many investigations, the challenges that were faced by the founding Prime Minister is that this country has different colonial experiences.

The part in the North was colonized by a different colonial power that never used government power but had plantations cared for by the Luluais and Tultuls to govern the natives at that time.
The British in the South had a different system to the government.

The bulk of the hinterland of Papua New Guinea was not colonized and did not experience western ways of government, religion and other modern ways until after the War.

So we have a country that is so dysfunctional today as it was in those times.
It is a challenge that has confronted the leaders like our founding Prime Minister to determine how much power should be allow the bulk of the population that wants to participate in Government but does not have the capacity to participate.

Mr Speaker, these are the issues that confronted our founding fathers who then confronted the Parliament that I was in from 1992-1997.

This resulted in the implementation of the new reform system.
One important thing that stemmed from this is the creation of new provinces.

In the old system we had 19 provincial governments; they were all not supposed to be recognized as provincial governments.

Bougainville was given 10 years to experience this new decentralized system of Government.

When this issue was brought up all provinces queued up and were allowed to function as provincial governments.
A lot of Members that I have seen while working for the Morobe Provincial Government through meetings in the region use interpreters during those provincial meetings because some of those members do not know Tokpisin.

These are big issues so we have to understand how much of governance do we allow the bulk of the population, whom I believe are not prepared to govern themselves, and how much do we concentrate on as a mechanism of service delivery to the people?
28 I want to commend the Deputy Prime Minister because the key issues that confronted the founding fathers and continue to confront us today is, how much do we allow for power to be shared to other levels of government and how much do we improve in the center?
We have made many recommendations and I want to say that I am saddened that the people of Kavieng did not return me to Parliament in 1997, therefore, a lot of the recommendations that we made in the reports and a lot of the Provisions of the Organic Law were never implemented by the successive Governments.
And I am glad that those of you who were Members from the years 1997 to this day will combine their experience and knowledge to make decisions now to come up with an effective delivery mechanism, especially on the pillar one as explained by your action plan.

Secondly, how much power do we share?

Do we allow the provincial governments to exist as they are Members of Parliament, the Governor and the Presidents share one level in the provincial level?
And do we allow local-level governments to operate under Section 44 of the Organic Lawl Do we come up with others like autonomy for some regions or provinces or do we allow some to maintain the current provincial government status.

I am just saying that this is the Parliament that I believe must take the bold stand to address the issue of Governance in the country and address the three main things that the Deputy Prime Minister has raised.
The final issue is how do we do these things without disintegrating our country?

How do we allow an effective delivery system?

How do we allow the sharing of power at different times and levels but still maintain the unity of the 7 million people?

I am happy to commit myself to the programs set out by the Deputy Prime Minister and share my experiences with him as I have worked in my Committee and the Commission when I was a Member.
I have experience working with New Ireland Provincial / Government and was part of creating autonomy for New Ireland.

I can offer some of these experiences and knowledge to your Ministry so that together with other leaders we can come up with these things.

I also want to commend the Minister for Public Service for making some very bold statements yesterday to hit at the machinery that is supposed to be carrying out all those services that you and I should not be doing.
29 We should be spending more time charting and debating legislations and be assisting the Government in the formulation of policies.

13/02 We should be assisting the Government in the formulation of policies.

The Opposition should not attack us unnecessary.

The Deputy Opposition Leader has made a good statement meaning that when we talk about policies, they must only talk about policies.
Mr Speaker, if we allow ourselves more time to spend on understanding our roles as legislators and as Ministers contributing to the formulating of policies, I believe that quality can be given to the governance and the administration of our country.

Mr Speaker, I want to conclude by responding to the statement made by the Opposition Leader because the Prime Minister is not present and question might put without the response.
We are not running away from anything and this Government has a very ambitious policy which the Prime Minister has initiated.

The Ministers must sit down and formulate action plans for our own departments and I believe in October we will be already on track.
Mr PETER IP AT AS (Enga) - Thank you Mr Speaker, may I also join other leaders while representing my family, the people of Enga, The People's Party with our followers throughout the country and my five party Members of Parliament offer our congratulations to you, Mr Speaker.

I also would like to express my confidence in you as other leaders have expressed.

You have come at a time when the nation wants to see your every move and action.
Your Office has become a controversial office and I must state this clearly on the Floor of this Parliament.

We should not put the blame just on the former Speaker as a person; we must realise that as Members of Parliament and the Government in the past, we have also put pressure on the former Speaker to do what he did.

So, I want to call on our good Speaker, while I congratulate you, you must try and work independently.
You have been elected by the people of Finschhafen and I am sure that the honourable Members of this Parliament have elected you because of your standing.

We are all looking to you to make this Parliament vibrant and I advise you not to fall into the same kind of manipulation by the Executive Government; you must be independent, you are the boss of this 30 Parliament.
You are the head of another arm of government and therefore Mr Speaker, I want to wish you all the best and you can be assured that I will give you all the support to make sure that you do your job independently and also leave a legacy for yourself as a Speaker of the 9th Parliament.

I also wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the Prime Minister for his election as the Prime Minister of this nation.
In the short 12 months, he has demonstrated to the people of this country that he was able to lead the Government and so the people chose him to be the Prime Minister of this country in this Ninth Parliament.

And of course, while he was giving his state of the nation address yesterday, it showed that he was ready to lead this country.

I want to commend him for his statement yesterday because he put out a simple vision.
The challenge is for the Members of this Parliament and the bureaucracies, Secretaries of departments to take ownership of this statement.

This country will not move forward if we all do not take responsibility as Members of Parliament, Governors, Speaker and in whatever position we are given.

Whilst I was listening and reading the speech, I realised that I have over time heard other Prime Ministers make statement.
We always come up with grand statements on this Floor whether it be the Prime Ministerial Statement or Ministerial Statement but it is how we deliver and implement.

Too many times on this Floor, we give hope to our people by giving grand statements but our people still do not get what they deserve.
Mr Speaker, I have been in Parliament for the last three consecutive terms and the National Government thinking that they can fix the nation's problems but those are entrusted with Ministries and national positions must realise that you come from certain electorates and there are also other Members of Parliament who are elected to represent other electorates.

We have Governors who have been mandated to be governors and not to be on the side watching the National Government.
We are elected to deliver and when we stood for elections, we went with our own visions as well.

31 14/02 All of us, the Members are mandated by our people to deliver goods and services.

At the same time, during the election, we went out with our own vision to see my district or province to be developed the way I see for the good of the people of Enga.

We have our own dreams for the districts and the provinces.
Mr Speaker, I am happy that the Prime Minister has covered most of our dreams and aspirations during his speech, but we must take ownership.

I wish to express here and it must be in record that, after three terms in Parliament, I am just tired of being a Governor and just sitting back without getting any cooperation from the National Government to drive my province.
All the Open Members have their visions and they are here to do something for their districts or electorates and the National Government must not think that you have the answer for every electorate.

I believe, that is the way the Governments have being thinking for the last 15 years.

This mentality must be changed completely and let us find new ways to develop our districts and provinces.

Mr Speaker, I know what the people of Enga want and I know where they want to go next.
As a leader of the province, I have an agenda for them and so do you other leaders.

We all have our own agendas to deliver to the people of our respective electorates.

The Prime Minister is setting a big agenda for this Nation and he must allow us, delegate or give us options to see where and how the provinces can contribute meaningfully.

A classical example is the Free Education Policy introduced by the National Government last year.
When the Government was talking about Free Education, Enga was talking about it 15 years go.

But, my agenda in or for Enga is something else in education.

I want to see quality education and institutions like the university or colleges in Enga.

Whilst the Prime Minister and the National Government had the agenda, they must be prepared to listen to the Governors or the Open Members regarding what they want for their electorates.
Mr Speaker, we are not uniform in this country and we are so peculiar because what might be priority for East New Britain might not be the priority for Enga.

One more example, what is good for an Open Electorate in Simbu Province could defer in an Open Electorate of Finschhafen in Morobe.

Therefore, we must allow leaders take up ownership.

Thus, I am calling on the Prime 32 Minister and the National Government with open heart and mind, and open ears let us take the ownership.
Whilst on that, I must also highlight that, a lot of bureaucrats in Waigani, whom we depend on for advise, half of them do not even go to the villages.

Some of them get educated and got degrees and have being living in Port Moresby since they graduated.

Mr Speaker, as a result, when they are given the opportunity advice, they are advising not from experience but from what they think is happening in this country.
I definitely support this Government, the Prime Minister is working closely with me and of course, he listens to me all the time.

(Members interjecting) Mr PETER IPATAS - Mr Speaker, I must also commend the Minister for Treasury for the good things that he is doing.

I think, it is all rhetoric and here in Parliament, we must translate into real action.
I do not know how each one of us are elected to Parliament but, if you are a leader who is performing the people will always entrust you to come back to Parliament.

Therefore, Mr Speaker, I wish to say that give 111 Members what they want or decide and taking into account what the Prime Minister has already laid down, we want to become leaders who will translate our vision at our various levels.
I want to inform this Parliament and the people of Papua New Guinea that Enga Province has been contributing to this nation since 1989 by the Porgera Gold Mine.

Mr Speaker, the National Government has never taken into account the cry of the people of Enga to have a provincial hospital for 15 years.

I had said that this is my third term or my 15 years as Member of Parliament and I have not seen anything but just a total flattery.
Why can't the province that is contributing so much to this nation to have a hospital?

In addition, how comes that the Enga does not have a provincial jail?

Is it because I am not performing or is it because of personal politics?

I want to emphasize that these are peoples' project and it is their money that should be turned into goods and services.

What I meant is, for some reasons the National Government has not delivered on the provincial hospitals.
33 Mr Speaker, all I am saying here is, as a Governor, I am concerned about the welfare of the people of Enga and I am tired of grand statements.

The people in this country do not need big things or your big agendas and talks.

People are looking for simple answers to the simple problems they face daily.

If we can do the small things right, all the big things will fall in place, whilst I have the opportunity, I am all about delivering to all my small people of Enga.

15/02 people.
15/02 people.

I am sure that all of you Members are here to represent provinces, electorates and your Mr Speaker, when is a Prime Minister or the National Government going to trust Governors as partners or as leaders?

This is a shame!

I got a majority vote to come to Parliament and I am called the action Governor in Enga.

Mr Sam Basil - They will not give hospitals when you come here.

Mr PETER IP AT AS - Goodness, give us money and resources to do what we have to do in the provinces.
In Enga, I had law and order problems.

In another electorate their number one priority may be education and some may be agriculture.

All I am trying to say here is simply that all our people are different.

We have got over 700 ethnic groups in this country and we have to be mindful of that fact.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, all I am trying to say here I am confident that the Prime Minister, knowing him and his personality, I will work closely with them.
I would like to see, Members getting DSIP funds, if they are getting K10 million then give them K20 million but do not just give them an open cheque.

That is where the problem begins and soon a lot of Members will go to jail.

There have not been audits of district funds for a long time and that is why many are getting away, but if you have audits then many will go to jail.
Give them the funds but we must make sure that the National Government is auditing and physically there to ensure that the funds are going to the right places.

34 Mr Speaker, for provinces, trust us and give us K50 million or K100 million.

Why does the National Government want to go and fix the road between Wabag and Wapenamanda?

Mr Sam Basil - That is right, K500 million.

Mr PETER IP AT AS - My Treasurer and brother knows that there were two contracts given but the road has not been fixed.
If the money was given to me as the Governor, I would have made sure that the road was fixed.

(Members interjecting) Mr PETER IP AT AS - I drive on that road every day, so I would have made sure that the contractor was performing.

Here, you are sitting in Port Moresby giving contracts and nothing is happening.

Let us all cut this crap out.

We must not come to this Parliament and pretend that we are all doing the right things.

We all know ourselves among us that we are all not faithful to our people.
If you want the people to change then you much change in this Parliament.

We must not corrupt the Central Supply and Tenders Board (CSTB).

The CSTB used to operate independently but now it has become a political animal.

(Laughter-in-the-Chamber) Mr PETER IP AT AS - We should allow them to process tenders independently.

I was glad that the Minister for Public Service wanted to get a whip and whip the public servants.
Well, I would like to see that some of that whip is also given to us as governors, because you do not know all the public servants in the provinces.

Therefore, give some of that whip to us also.

When I was sitting here and looking at the Minister for Public Service, I saw a renewed energy come out of him and I think that all of you witnessed that.

Then I thought that this was going to be the greatest and best five years that I was going to be in Parliament.
That was 35 because I was also energised by the way he said things because I am the 'action governor' in Enga and I thought good, I got a right Minister there now.

I am going to do the things that I normally do and get support for it unlike in previous governments.

Therefore, I would like to thank the Minister for Public Service for setting the standards, which is also consistent with the Prime Minister's vision.
On a final note, I would like to congratulate the Deputy Prime Minister who is was a colleague governor.

We came together and he has been elevated to the deputy Prime Minister's post, and at the same time, I would like to thank him for making his statement.

You have come with experience and want to work we all are standing by to support you in your work.

We must not be afraid that Papua New Guinea will fall apart at the seams.

If New Ireland province wants to run its own province, then let them.
It is better for this country to have 22 healthy provinces.

The country is sick because of one National Government.

Let 10 or 15 good provinces prosper for the country will still be okay.

If we depend on the central government all the time, and when it goes bad then the country will also follow suit.

Let us make sure the 20 provincial governments and provinces are healthy so that this country can achieve the Prime Minister's vision.

Motion - That the question be now put - agreed to.


Motion - That the paper be noted - agreed to.

MOTION BY LEAVE Mr JAMES MARAPE (Tari - Minister for Finance) -1 ask leave of the Parliament to move a motion without notice.

Leave granted.

36 SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - REARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to.

That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent the Prime Minister presenting a Report into the sinking of MV Rabaul forthwith.
16/02 COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE SINKING OF MV RABAUL QUEEN - REPORT - MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF PAPER Mr LEO DION (East New Britain - Deputy Prime Minister) - Mr Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I table the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Sinking of the MV Rabaul Queen.

As we are all aware, at about 6.15am on the 2 February 2012, a passenger ferry, the Rabaul Queen, capsized and sank approximately 9 nautical miles northeast of Finschhafen.
246 persons were rescued, four bodies were recovered and at least 142 persons remain unaccounted for.

On 10 February 2012, in accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act, I ordered an inquiry into the sinking of the Rabaul Queen.

Judge Warwick Andrew was appointed Commissioner and Mr Manuel Varitimos and Mr Emmanuel Asigau as Counsel Assisting the Commission.
According to the terms of reference the matters to be inquired into were: the facts about the disaster and the accompanying search and rescue; the cause of the disaster; evidence leading to any criminal act contributing to the disaster; evidence leading to any civil responsibility for the disaster; the reason why the loss of lives attained such magnitude; - present any proposals for any measures that would help prevent the future occurrence of a similar disaster or may assist in future search and rescue; and - any further recommendations arising.
37 Mr Speaker, the Commission began its work quickly.

Public hearings were held during April, May and June 2012 in Port Moresby, Lae, Kokopo, Buka and Kimbe.

The Commission issued over 130 summonses to witnesses to produce documents and be examined under oath.

On the 28 June 2012, Judge Andrews, the Commissioner of the Inquiry provided me with the completed Report.
Mr Speaker, the government was in caretaker mode when I received the report and there have not been any Parliamentary meetings since this time.

The tabling of this report and the implementation of its recommendations are a high priority for this Government.

There are 14 Maritime Provinces in Papua New Guinea and at least 59 percent of the population depends on water transport.

Many of these people have no access to road or air transport; they have no choice but to travel by sea.
Mr Speaker, we owe it to these people to ensure that sea transport is safe and reliable.

Unfortunately, this was not the case for the passengers on the Rabaul Queen.

Before the ship had left the dock in Kimbe, a number of fatal mistakes had been made.

Mr Speaker, the best way to learn from this terrible tragedy is to understand the chain of events that unfolded in early February 2012.
Mr Speaker, at about 11 am on 1 February 2012, passengers boarded the Rabaul Queen for the overnight voyage from Kimbe to Lae.

The Master was informed that there were 360 passengers on board, 13 crew members, two canteen boys and the Master of the Solomon Queen.

Conditions on board were described by survivors as packed and overloaded.

Passengers were sitting on the ground shoulder to shoulder and some were seated in stairwells.
This overcrowding was just one of the factors that contributed to the high loss of life.

Mr Speaker, just before departure, the Master of the ship received a weather Report prepared by Captain Sharp.

Captain Sharp was the Managing Director and shareholder of the companies that owned and operated the Rabaul Queen.

In practice, Captain Sharp exercised day- to-day management and control over all vessels in the fleet including the Rabaul Queen.
Mr Speaker, unfortunately the Master of the ship did not make any radio contact with Coastal Radio or seek any further weather information.

Instead, the master of the ship relied entirely upon the weather information obtained by Captain Sharp.

38 The weather report prepared by Captain Sharp was based on publically available information from the American Joint Typhoon Warning Centre and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

No information was obtained from the Papua New Guinea Weather Service.
Clearly, the ship was about to set sail with inadequate weather information.

Mr Speaker, the Papua New Guinea Weather Service forecast for 1 February 2012 issued a gale wind warning for northwest winds of 34/48 knots for the next 24 hours causing very rough and high seas for the waters of Finschhafen and the Vitiaz Strait.

The weather Report prepared by Captain Sharp forecast north westerly winds of 20-30 knots from Lae to the Vitiaz Straits.
17/02 Unfortunately, Mr Speaker, the weather report provided by Captain Sharp proved totally inaccurate, with weather conditions matching those described by the Papua New Guinea Weather Service.

Two RD Tuna boats in the area at the time of the sinking sought shelter in calmer waters due to the gale force winds and heavy seas.

It was widely agreed that winds were in magnitude of force eight to nine.

This meant wind speed was in excess of 34 knots and wave heights were about 4.0 metres.
Mr Speaker, I think we all agree that these weather conditions were very poor.

It is little wonder that passengers were terrified.
Mr Speaker, the Commission was of the view that the Rabaul Queen was unsafe for the voyage since: (a) the ship should not have been operating in winds and sea conditions beyond force 6; (b) The ship was overloaded; (c) No stability calculations were undertaken for the number and distribution of passengers on board the ship; (d) A copy of the Trim and Stability Book was not on board the ship nor was it based on modifications made to the ship or showed how the ship could be safely loaded, and; (e) Rabaul Shipping did not provide a condition of assignment document relating to load line or provide instructions for securing the ship's weather tight integrity in heavy weather.
Mr Speaker, the Commission concluded that the ship capsized after being 'broached' to when it was hit by a large wave on its starboard quarter.

This caused the ship to keel over and the 39 Master lost control of the steerage.

Shortly after being hit by the first wave a second wave hit causing the ship to keel to port.

This resulted in water coming aboard the accommodation deck and the ship could no longer right itself.
When a third wave hit, the ship rolled over completely and remained afloat for 10 minutes before sinking bow first.

Mr Speaker, this all happened very quickly.

There was no time for the Master to issue a May Day call or give the abandon ship call.

Passengers jumped or swam from the ship.

Regrettably, it is most likely that those passengers below deck in the accommodation quarters perished.
Mr Speaker, the Master of the ship and his crew were unaware that the condition in which they were sailing were highly dangerous and according to international guidance posed a risk of 'surf riding' to 'broaching to'.

Unfortunately, this is what occurred 2 February.

The Commission was of the view that the ship should not have been operating where it was on 2 February given the weather conditions.
Mr Speaker, the Commission considered the Rabaul Queen unseaworthy for the following reasons: (a) The ship was not suitable to operate in force 7 or above wind conditions; (b) The ship was not manned by an appropriate and competent crew; (c) The ship was not maintained in accordance with considered and recorded maintenance plan; (d) The ship routinely carried more passengers than specified by its survey certificate; (e) The crew did not carry out effective safety training drills; (f) The crew was not provided with an appropriate procedure and guidelines in the form of a safety management plan; (g) The passengers were not mustered and provided with safety information; (i) The ship did not carry lifejackets for use by all passengers; (j) Rabaul Shipping and the Master did not consider the most appropriate weather forecasts; (k) The Master did not make contact with coastal radios as required; and (1) The master did not check the ships stability before sailing.
40 Mr Speaker, at the time of the sinking, the owner of Hamamas Lines Limited and the operator was Rabaul Shipping Limited.

Captain Sharp was the managing director and shareholder in both companies.

The Commission was of the view that Captain Sharp had been compromising the safety of passengers and crew on all his vessels for a number of years.

Ships were regularly overloaded, sailed in the unsuitable weather conditions and the fleet was poorly maintained.
Captain Sharp demonstrated to the Commission that he had little or no respect for the people, including those in authority.

The safety of passengers was not of paramount concern to Captain Sharp.

When the Commission asked Captain Sharp what he learnt from the tragedy, his only response was, 'people lie'.

He considered that the cause of the accident was an act of God - a rogue wave; the Commission disagreed with his assessment.
Mr Speaker, the Commission outlined instances where Captain Sharp has breached the Maritime Safety Act, this includes overloading the ship which carries a K8 000 fine, endangering the lives of passengers which has a K40 000 fine, unsafe loading of a passenger ship which has a K40 000 fine and there are many more.

Mr Speaker, aside from any civil action that could be taken against Captain Sharp and the Master of the ship, the Commission highlighted the possibility of criminal action.
The Criminal Code provides that a person who unlawfully kills another may be guilty of manslaughter by criminal negligence.

Where death results from criminal negligence, it is necessary to show that the action, in this case overloading the ship and sailing in poor weather, were a substantial cause of the deaths.

18/02 Mr Speaker I am sure that we all recall the tragedy with the occurred in Tonga in 2009, when the Princess Ashika, sank and killed 74 people.
The Ship Master and the Managing Director of the Shipping Company where charged and convicted of manslaughter by negligence.

Similar to the sinking of the Rabaul Queen, those operators sent a ship to sea that was not sea worthy.

41 Mr Speaker, ultimately the fate of Captain Sharp, and the Master of the Ship will lie with police and the Public Prosecutor.
It is up to the police whether to charge Captain Sharp and the Master of the Ship and the Public Prosecutor to advise whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute.

Mr Speaker, the National Maritime Authority is responsible for keeping our sea safe.

The Commission consider that if the Authority had properly conducted its duty it is possible the Rabaul Queen, would not have sunk.
Mr Speaker, the Commission considers that the Authority should not be abandoned but it should improve its operation and be appropriately funded and staffed by qualified professionals.
Mr Speaker, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Port Moresby, and the Austrailian Maritime Safety Authority competently carried out the search and rescue operation and shortly after the sea sank the ship the EPARB, was activated and its device that indicates the geograpghical position of the ship, approximately one hour later, the exact position was e-mailed from Australia to Port Moresby.
Mr Speaker, in accordance with operating procedures, it was not until another hour later that the Australian search and rescue officer phoned the Port Moresby rescue officer to confirm receipt of the email.

At 8.14 am, the Australian Search and Rescue Officer issued an emergency broadcast to all ships in the area that an EPIRB had been activated.

By 9.50 am, the first survivors were rescued.

Mr Speaker, in total 15 ships and 13 aircrafts took part in the search and rescue effort.
The Commission noted that although the Port Moresby Search and Rescue retained overall coordination and control its resources and expertise were severely limited.

Without the assistance provided by the Australians the rescue of 246 survivors would not have been possible.

Mr Speaker, based on this tragedy, the Commission made 34 proposals to improve maritime safety in PNG.

This Government accepts all the proposals and is already taking steps to implement the proposals.
42 Leave granted to incorporate the rest of the speech in the Hansard.

1.

The Merchant Shipping Act 1975, should be reviewed to ensure that it is consistent with current international standards and remove provisions, which are unclear or ambiguous.

2.

The Merchant Shipping Act 1975, should be amended to include a new category for coastal passenger ships to ensure best practice international standards for passenger ship design, safety, stability, and safety management.

3.
3.

The law should be amended to increase the required lifeboats to 125 percent of the maximum number of passengers.

4.

The law should be amended to increase the required lifeboats to 125 percent of the maximum number of passengers.

A proportion of those lifejackets should be required to be stowed in free-floating lockers on deck 5.

There should be a requirement to carry lifejackets suitable for all those onboard this means a certain percentage suitable for use by children and infants.

6.
6.

There should be a requirement for holders of all levels on PNG Maritime Certificates of competency to revalidate their certificates at regular intervals.

7.

There should be requirement for all ships capable of carrying passengers to have their EPIRB fiited with GPS capability.

8.

The Government of PNG to commission an independent and thorough review of the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) 9.
The Government of Papua New Guinea needs to provide additional funds to the NMSA to enable it to fulfill its duties.

10.

The NMSA needs to ensure that it fulfills its statutory obligations such conducting inspections, holding Board meetings, preparing a corporate plan to the Minister.

11.

The NMSA must ensure that all PNG registered ships have valid Safety and Safe Manning Certificates and are operated in accordance with those certificates.

12.
12.

NMSA must ensure that all registered ships undergo a flag state inspection.

13.

NMSA must ensure that all registered ships undergo a flag state inspection at intervals not exceeding six months.

14.

NMSA must ensure that all records pertaining to ships and their survey are maintained and accessible.

43 15.

NMSA must ensure that it employs a sufficient number of appropriate skilled and experienced inspectors/surveyors to meet its legislative requirements.

16.
16.

NMSA must review the minimum manning requirements for ships that carry passengers with a view to ensuring that the Master and the ships officers have the requisite knowledge to comprehend and carry out their responsibilities.

17.

NMSA must take immediate steps to revoke the appointment of Captain Robert Sharp as a recognized surveyor of ships under the Merchant Shipping Act.

18.

The NMSA must stringently enforce all aspects of the Merchant Shipping Act and its regulations.
In particular that all ships carrying passengers conduct a safety demonstration in both English and tok pisin.

19.

NMSA must take must take immediate steps to ensure website it up to date and includes advise from International Maritime Organisation.

20.

The Government should immediately allocate sufficient funds to the NMSA to enable the search and rescue office to be properly manned and resourced on a 24-hour 7 days a week basis.

21.
21.

The Government should invest in the necessary country wide communications infrastructure to ensure that the Maritime Rescue Office and Coastal Radio have the ability to communicate with all ships operating within PNG waters on a 24/7 basis.

22.

The Government should undertake an assessment to determine whether the country is able to fulfill its international obligations, responsibilities and expectations that are associated with having a dedicated maritime search and rescue office.

23.
23.

NMSA should ensure that its database of EPIRB registrations are up to date and properly reflects the ship that is carrying it.

24.

The National Weather Service should take steps to improve the reliability of its weather facsimile service.

The service should ensure that appropriate and up to date weather information is available on a publicly accessible website.

25.
25.

The National Weather Service should consider providing warnings similar to those issued by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology that warn that 'wind gusts can be 40 per cent stronger than the average given here, and maximum wave heights can be up to twice the height'.

26.
26.

The Government of Papua New Guinea should provide funding and the necessary legislative amendments to provide a capacity to investigate maritime casualties in keeping with 44 the International Maritime Organisation Casualty Investigation Code of Conduct Standards and Practices.

The Commission considers this could be best achieved by expending the current independent 'no blame' safety investigation functions of the PNG Accident Investigation Commission.

27.
27.

Captain Peter Sharp must take immediate action to ensure that his companies and the ships they operate comply with all requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act.

28.

The 'within 60 minutes of dispatch' requirement contained in the Rescue Coordination Centre Australia's procedure is not in keeping with best practice search and rescue.
The procedure should be changed so that Australia will 'as soon as possible after dispatch and in no event more than 60 minutes later' confirm receipt of a distress alert sent to Port Moresby.

29.

Every ship operator in PNG should ensure all of its ships capable of carrying passengers are fitted with an EPIRB, which has GPS capability.

30.
30.

Every ship operator in PNG should ensure all of its ships capable of carrying passengers should introduce and implement a safety management system for any ships operated by it, in line with the requirements of the International Safety Management Code.

31.

There needs to be proper and effective enforcement of the merchant shipping laws and these laws need to be respected and complied with by all ship owners and operators.
There has been a practice of ignoring laws, which the Commission considers will change only if the law is taken seriously by shipping companies and rigorously enforced by the regulator.

32.
32.

Ship owners and operators in PNG must ensure that they are familiar with the International Maritime Organisation document 'Revised Guidance to the Master for avoiding dangerous situations in adverse weather and sea conditions' and other relevant advice and develop simple instructions for the Masters of their ships to assist them in reducing risks.

33.
33.

Owners and operators of ships should ensure that lifejacket storage is clearly signpost in English and tok pisin and strategically located to facilitate easy access by passengers.

The stowage should be close to exists on the route to muster stations but clear of doorways.

A proportion of lifejackets should be stowed in float free lockers on deck so that if not accessed prior to sinking, they are available to people in the water.

45 34.
45 34.

All masters and crew of passenger ships should wear a distinctive uniform to distinguish themselves from passengers.

In the event of emergency passengers will know whom to turn to for advise.

Mr Speaker, the sinking of the Rabaul Queen, was a terrible tragedy that should not have occurred.

I would like to extend the Governments condolences on behalf of the Prime Minister to those families that have lost a loved one.
Hopefully, lessons have been learnt and we will not have any more maritime tragedies of this scale.

I move - That the report and its recommendations be adopted.

Motion — That the report and its recommendations be adopted — agreed to.

Debate (on motion by Mr James Marape) adjourned.

MOTION BY LEAVE Mr JAMES MARAPE (Tari-Pori - Minister for Finance) -1 ask leave of Parliament to move a motion without notice.

Leave granted.
Leave granted.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS - REARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That so much of the Standing Orders be suspended as would prevent me moving a series of motions relating to the appointment of Assistance Speakers, Members of Permanent Parliamentary Committees and Members of Parliamentary Referral Committees.
46 APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT SPEAKERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That, Mr Douglas Tomuriesa, Mr Isaac Waigavara, Mr John Simon and Mr Anton Yagama be appointed Assistant Speakers.
PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That, in accordance with Standing Order 24(b) Mr Philip Undialu be appointed Chairman, Mr Paul Tiensten be appointed Deputy Chairman, Mr Kelly Naru, Mr William Powi, Mr Kila Haoda, Mr John Hickey and Mr Solan Mirisim be appointed members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Appointments.
PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON BROADCASTING OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That, in accordance with the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act Chapter 24, Mr Speaker becomes Chairman as ex-officio member, Mr Jerry Pesab Komal be appointed Deputy Chairman, Mr Noah Kool and Dr William Tongap be appointed members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings.
47 19/02 PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS, ACTS AND SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That Mr Richard Mendani be appointed (Chairman), Mr John Simon (Deputy Chairman), and Mr Gordon Wesley, Mr Powes Parkop, Mr Ereman ToBaining Jnr be appointed members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Laws, Acts and Subordinate Legislations.
PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON CULTURE AND TOURISM - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to- That Mr Camilus Dangima be appointed (Chairman), Mr Roy Biyama (Deputy Chairman) and Mr Titus Philemon, Mr Meherra Minnie Kipefa, Mr Wesley Kukunji, Mr Amkat Mai, Mr Issac Waigavara and Mr Lauta Atoi be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Culture and Tourism.
PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to- That Mr Ron Ganarafo be appointed Chairman, Mr Mai Dop be appointed Deputy Chairman and Mr Daniel Mona, Mr Joe Koim Kuman, Mr Richard Mendani and Mr Douglas Tomuriesa be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs.
48 PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to- That Mr Eire Kimisopa, be appointed as Chairman, Mr Daniel Mona be appointed as Deputy Chairman and Mr Paias Wingti, Mr Paul Tiensten, Mr Roy Biyama, Mr Jeffery Kuave be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Emergency.
PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to- That Mr John Simon be appointed as Chairman, Mr Lucas Dekena be appointed as Deputy Chairman and Mr Anderson Agiru, Mr Jim Kas, Mr Koi Trape, Mr Cammilus Dangima be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense.
PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON LAW AND ORDER - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to- That Mr Jeffery Pesab Komal be appointed as Chairman, Mr Tobias Kulang be appointed Deputy Chairman, Mr Ron Ganarafo, Mr Nixion Mangepe, Mr Issac Waigavara be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Law and Order.
49 PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARLIAMENT - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to- That Mr Speaker, be appointed as Chairman, ex-officio member, Mr Koi Trape be appointed as Deputy Chairman, Mr Kelly Naru, Mr Havila Kavo, and Mr Benjamin Poponawa be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on National Parliament.
PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON RETIREMENT BENEFITS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to- That Mr Joseph Yopyyopy be appointed as Chairman, Mr Malakai Tabar as Deputy Chairman, Mr Charlie Benjamin, Mr James Gau, Mr Solan Mirisim and Ms Julie Soso be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Retirement Benefits.
PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PLANS AND ESTIMATES - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That Mr Douglas Tomuriesa be appointed as Chairman, Mr Joseph Lelang be appointed Deputy Chairman and Mr Garry Juffa, Mr Jeffery Pesab Komal, Mr Joe Lera, Mr Philip Undialu and Mr Roy Biyama be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Plans and Estimates.
50 PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUSINESS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That Mr Speaker becomes Chairman as ex-officio member, Mr Deputy Speaker, becomes Deputy Chairman as ex-officio member, Mr William Powi, Mr Jeffery Pesab Komal, Mr Richard Medani, and Mr Bob Dadae be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Private Business.
PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PRIVILEGES - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That Mr Issac Wagavara be appointed as Chairman, Mr Ludwig Schulze, Mr Gordon Wesley, Sir Michael Somare, Mr Nixion Mangepe be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Privileges.
PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That Mr Ken Fairweather be appointed Chairman, Mr Benjamin Poponawa be appointed Deputy Chairman and Sir Julius Chan, Mr John Hickey, Mr Garry Juffa, Mr Isikiel Anisi Mr Richard Medani, Mr Ross Seymour, Mrs Delilah Gore, Mr William Tongamp, Mr Koi Trape, Mr Jeffery Pesab Komal, Mr Bob Dadae and Mr Philip Undialu be appointed members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts.
51 PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That Mr Bob Dadae be appointed Chairman, Mr Anton Yagama be appointed Deputy Chairman, Mr Joe Sungi, Dr Allan Marat, Mr Joseph Yopyyopy, Mr Lucas Dekena, Mr Francis Potape, Mr Camilus Dangma, Mr Douglas Tomuriesa, Mr Havila Kavo, Mr Wesley Nukundj, Mr Jeffery Pesab Komal, Mr Solan Mirisim and Mr Gordon Wesley be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Public Works.
20/02 PERMANENT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON STANDING ORDERS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That in accordance with Standing Order 19, Mr Speaker becomes Chairman as ex-officio member, Mr Deputy Speaker becomes Deputy Chairman as ex-officio member, Mr Anton Yagama, Mr Ati Wobilo, Mr Bob Dadae and Mr Isaac Waigavara be appointed as members of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Standing Orders.
ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Administrative Services consisting of Mr Solan Mirisim as Chairman, Mr Roy Biyama as Deputy Chairman, Benjamin Poponawa, Mr Robert Ganim and Mr Joe Lera as members of the Committee.
52 ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATION - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Communication consisting of Mr Ezekiel Anisi as Chairman, Mr James Gau as Deputy Chairman, Mr Charlie Benjamin, Mr Eire Kimisopa and Joe Sungi as members of the Committee.
ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINE SERVICES - APPOINTMENT OF CHIARMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Discipline Services consisting of Mr Roy Biyama as Chairman, Mr Rudwig Schulze as Deputy Chairman, Mr Anderson Agiru, Mr Malakai Tabar, Mr Lucas Dekena and Wesley Nukundj as members.
ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Education consisting of Mr Robert Ganim as Chairman, Mr Daniel Mona as Deputy Chairman, Ms Julie Soso, Mr Mai Dop and Mr Amkat Mai as members of the Committee.
53 ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Finance consisting of Mr Anton Yagama as Chairman, Mr Paul Tiensten as Deputy Chairman, Mr William Povi, Mr Joe Komun Koim and Gordon Wesley as members of the Committtee.
ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade consisting of Mr Mera Kipefa as Chairman, Mr Malakai Tabar as Deputy Chairman, Mr Peter Ipatas, Sir Michael Somare and Mr Powes Pakop as members of the Committee.
ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND FAMILY AND WELFARE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Health and Family and Welfare consisting of Mr Mai Dop as Chairman, Mr Joseph Lelang as Deputy Chairman, Dr Allan Marat and Mera Kipefa as members of the Committee.
54 ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE INDUSTRY AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - APPOINTMENT CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Industry and Industrial Relations consisting of Mr Jeffery Kuawe as Chairman, Mr Joseph Lelang as Deputy Chairman, Mr Sasindra Muthuvel, Mr Gary Juffa and Noah Kool as members of the Committee.
ESTABLISHMEMT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Justice consisting of Mr John Hickey as Chairman, Mr Francis Maru as Deputy Chairman, Mr Kila Haoda, Mr Lauta Atoi and Mr Noah Kool as members of the Committee.
ESTABLISHEMT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON LANDS AND ENVIRONMENT - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Lands and Environment consisting of Mr Wesley Nakundj as Chairman, Mr Solan Mirisim as Deputy Chairman, Mr Paias Wingti and Mr Jeffrey Pesab Komal as members of the Committee 55 ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON MINERALS AND ENERGY - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Minerals and Energy consisting of Mr Nixon Mangepe as Chairman, Mr Ron Ganarafo as Deputy Chairman, Dr William Tongamp and Mr Ezekiel Anisi as members of the Committee.
ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON PRIMARY RESOURCE - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Primary Resource consisting of Mr Joe Koim Komun as Chairman, Mr Tobias Kulang as Deputy Chairman, Mr Francis Potape and Mr Nixon Mangepe as members of the Committee.
ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT AND CIVIL AVIATION - APOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Transport and Civil Aviation consisting of Mr Koi Trape as Chairman, Mr Ross Seymour as Deputy Chairman, Mr Titus Philemon and Mr Peter Ipatas as members of the Committee.
56 ESTABLISHMENT OF PARLIAMENTARY REFERRAL COMMITTEE ON INTER-GOVERNMENT RELATIONS - APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That this Parliament establish a Referral Committee on Inter-Government Relations consisting of Mr James Gau as Chairman, Mr Lauta Atoi as Deputy Chairman, Mr Francis Marus and Mr Bob Dadae as members of the Committee.
SPECIAL ADJOURNMENT Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That the Parliament at its rising adjourn until Tuesday 23 October 2012 at 2 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Motion (by Mr James Marape) agreed to - That the Parliament do now adjourn.

The Parliament adjourned at 1.10 p.m.. 57