The Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Manasseh Makiba has clarified his statement to the Parliament that the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the constitution allows for the Parliament to make decision on the 2019 Bougainville Referendum results. In response to articles circulated in the media recently by the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Attorney General and Minister for the Bougainville Independence Implementation, Ezekiel Masatt stating that the constitution is the Supreme Law and the Constitution gives parliament that authority to make decisions. The Minister strongly stated that the Parliament remains the Supreme decision-making authority. “The Constitution is the Supreme law of the land. The Constitution is not the decision maker.” “The National Parliament is the highest decision-making authority on the land, subject to the constitution.” He said the after the Referendum, the parliament is required to make the final decision and the Government is only implementing what is outlined in the constitution and the Bougainville Peace Agreement. The Recommendation for the vote to be decided by two thirds absolute majority issue is because the referendum vote by parliament is a constitutional issue which has the potential for amendments to be made to the constitution. “It is an issue of sovereignty; therefore, the majority must be the same as that required for constitutional amendments.” Makiba added that it is an ongoing process and was just a recommendation to parliament. And it is still the parliaments prerogative to make its decision as to the appropriate voting of majority.