District administrators get more disciplinary clout with new laws

This decision gives light to ACT NOW's first pillar for a gutpela sinduan blong olgeta: Localization of Decision-Making

Corruption is thriving and bad decisions are being made that favour foreign interests and local elites over ordinary people because decision-making and expenditure is concentrated in Waigani where there is no accountability. ACT NOW! is demanding greater regional autonomy and localization of decision-making and expenditure to give local people and institutions a voice and improve accountability and transparency.

Picture: Budget Parliament session

Source: Post Courier

Parliament has passed five new laws which effectively relegate disciplinary public service powers from Waigani to the district administrators in the districts.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday introduced these proposed consequential laws which give the district administrator the power to discipline policemen, teachers and public servants who are not performing in remote areas.

Mr O’Neill said instead of waiting for Waigani to send officers to investigate why public servants, police and teachers are not doing their job and recommend action, the district administrator, as chief executive officer of the new District Development Authority, can investigate and take remedial action.

"The CEO will be in charge of all the public servants in the district," the PM said.

The new powers of the district administrator required amendments to the Local Level Government Act, the Teaching Services Commission Bill, the Police Force Act and the Public Service (Amendment) Bill.

They become law upon gazettal after signing by the Head of State. Mr O’Neill said the changes to the Police Act would ensure that the district administrator begin disciplinary actions against policemen and women in the district for minor disciplinary offences.

The district administrator, as the District Development Authority CEO, would charge and refer the matter to the provincial police commander in accordance with the Police Act.

"The PPC will then deal with the matter in the usual manner," the Prime Minister said.

He said giving the district administrator the powers formed a key part of the Government’s district development initiative.

"These people are on the ground and they know what is going on," Mr O’Neill stated.

"We cannot continue to wait for someone from Waigani to go and discipline some of these officers.

"We cannot continue to wait for the head office in Waigani to discipline some of these officers who are found in some of the remote areas and we need someone on the ground.

"That is why we need to discipline people who are not performing."