Irish-British Province

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Bishops voice concern over proposed legislation

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea has openly voiced its concern over two bills soon to be presented in the parliament.

“The two controversial private members’ bills are not in the best interests of the ordinary people of PNG,” says the press release of the conference.

“The Andrew Kumbakor bill attempts to increase the role of members of parliament in administering the country. We have public servants and an elected government to do this. Politicians should not distribute funds. ‘Slush funds’ should not be distributed to MP’s.

The Kappa Yarka proposal seeks to protect members of parliament, found to be doing wrong, from the law. The bills violate the most basic principles of law, the division of powers and the functions of government. They undermine the most basic principles of our constitution.

Parliament is considering treating members of parliament differently from other citizens. This is not acceptable. Members of parliament should lead us all in accepting the consequences of wrongdoing.” (Press release of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of PNG and Solomon Islands)

Source: Arnoldus Nota