Defer debate on Bougainville

This delegation traveled to Port Moresby from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to hear the presentation on the report by the national parliament bipartisan committee. (Image: National Parliament)

There were calls for the deferral of the debate on the report by the Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee on Bougainville Matters in Parliament on Tuesday.

Chairman of the Bipartisan Committee Dr Allan Marat presented this very important report to the House on Monday.

Sinesine-Yongomugl MP Kerenga Kua called for adjournment of debate so members can read the report properly and debate on what he described was a very “delicate and sensitive issue.”

Member for Sinesine-Yongomugl, Kerenga Kua (Image: National Parliament)

Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan, in response, says that debate will continue and there will still be time for others to speak on the matter once they’ve read through the report.

Mr. Kua also reiterated extracts from the report, calling for a timely, clear communication of processes involved in the Bougainville referendum result presentation in Parliament.

His call was supported by East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, who while thanking the committee for the report, slammed the surprise presentation in Parliament;

East Sepik Governor in Parliament on Tuesday. (Image: National Parliament)

The rushed presentation of the report in Parliament on Tuesday has sparked widespread criticism with calls for calm by the Autonomous Region of Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama urging his people not to be distracted by what he describes as “rhetoric and differing opinions.”

He says no parliamentary debate can erase Bougainville’s history, no can any report diminish its democratic mandate expressed by its people.