PNG parliament sets high threshold for Bougainville independence vote ratification

Papua New Guinea's national parliament has established a higher-than-expected threshold for ratifying the results of Bougainville's 2019 independence referendum, where 97.7 percent of voters chose independence. The parliament adopted a Sessional Order that requires a three-quarters majority of MPs to approve the non-binding result, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Bougainville leaders.

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Today's events confirm that there is a National Government Strategy to poison the waters and make it impossible to come close to reach the voting threshold. The National Government Strategy now reduces MA (Melanesian Agreement) Framework to nothing but an academic exercise

The decision surprised Bougainville leaders and others, as the required threshold exceeds the two-thirds majority typically needed for constitutional amendments in PNG. The Minister of Bougainville Affairs, Manasseh Makiba, introduced the sessional order, which was developed in consultation with the Speaker of Parliament. However, the vice president of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Ezekiel Massat, accused the National Government of employing a strategy to "poison the waters" and make it impossible to reach the voting threshold.

Former Minister of Bougainville Affairs, Sir Puka Temu, now an opposition MP, questioned the origin of the new threshold, noting that the constitution only requires a three-quarter majority for boundary changes. He suggested a lack of further consultation with Bougainville counterparts. In response, Speaker Job Pomat stated that a three-quarter majority was not specifically required for boundary changes, while Prime Minister James Marape asserted that both governments had agreed to the threshold in the sessional agreement.

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Looks like you have done your job without further consulting your counterpart in Bougainville. The only provision in the constitution where three-quarter absolute majority is required is when the parliament is voting for a boundary change. No other provision in the constitution requires us to vote for a three-quarter absolute majority. Where is this coming from?

Prime Minister Marape emphasized that the process is in its final stages, adhering to the Bougainville Peace Agreement, and confirmed that further meetings between the parties are scheduled for July. Despite the controversy over the ratification threshold, Marape reiterated PNG's commitment to the Peace Agreement's provisions.

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This is already clear, both governments are clear. We will have another meeting in July