Parliament faces historic decision on Bougainville’s future

The political future of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville is now before Papua New Guinea’s Parliament.

This follows the tabling of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum result and the presentation of the Bougainville Bipartisan Committee report in Parliament yesterday.

Committee Chairman Dr Allan Marat presented the report, outlining the work carried out following the referendum.

“For all members of Parliament, of the 11th Parliament, this will be the most consequential question that we will have to decide upon, the vote that we take.” Opposition leader James Nomane said.

“It’s incumbent on the executive government and also on all leaders to understand the issues that have been placed before us, the gravity of the situation, the desires of the people of Bougainville through a 97.7 referendum result, that we all have to take the time from now until the next Parliament sitting,” he added.

Nomane urged Parliament not to simply glaze over the document or merely flick through its pages, but to give it careful and thoughtful consideration.

The decision will have long-term consequences for the country and must be made responsibly and in unity.