The Review of the Form and System of Government -The Election of the Prime Minister By The People, will commence after it is launched on the 15th of February 2023 in Port Moresby by Prime Minister James Marape and CLRC Chairman Saki Soloma.
The Government directed Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) to undertake the Review as the timing was critical to our 50th Independence Anniversary in 2025, Soloma said.
“This Review is critical to audit the form and system of Government and take stock of how far we came as a nation since Independence in 1975, with the thoughts of looking at whether the current form and system of the government has adequately, effectively and efficiently worked for us, and to determine whether or not we need an alternative form and system of government, that can take us through in the next 50 years and beyond,” Soloma said.
Apart from the election of the Prime Minister by the people, the other key matters of the Review include the current structure of the National Parliament; the system of government; and the different levels of Government.
This Review will raise fundamental questions and discussions on bicameral and unicameral Parliamentary systems; current three-tier system of government; the tenure as well as the method and criteria for the nomination and election of the Prime Minister, and the relevance of the English Monarch as Head of State.
CLRC with other relevant government agencies, will conduct nationwide consultation in all the provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville from the 5th of March to the 18th of May 2023 to gauge the views of the people.
An online survey will be accessible to the public on the 15th of February 2023 for people to participate in the Review online. Other data collection methods such as written submission, public forums, technical papers from experts and research will also be used.
The final report with recommendations is expected to be complete by December for submission to the Prime Minister, Soloma said.