There has been growing concern in Papua New Guinea (PNG), in the past, and more so, recently, at the manner in which the people's Parliament has performed it's functions.

The three components of the State, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary are intended to operate independently of each other, providing checks and balances to ensure transparency and accountability. But, have they?

Moreover, Parliament as the key to an accountable government in PNG has failed by limiting or outright gagging of debate prior to passing of significant pieces of legislation. Coupled with weak committee systems, there has been inadequate scrutiny of operations of the executive, including bureaucracy, thereby causing increased public outcry and negative perception both nationally and internationally on the sanctity and legitimacy of State in this country.

Much of the crisis in Parliament has been centered around the Offices of the Speaker, Prime Minister and Governor General.

James Macpherson, a senior political and social analyst proposes in his paper : "Healing Parliament" that the speaker of Parliament must be made accountable for his interpretation and use of the Standing Orders to Parliament, to the extent of possible termination if he cannot or will not conform to the requirements of the Constitution and Standing Orders.

At the launch of the Institute of National Affairs (INA)Discussion Brief No. 1 of 2011 today, Mr Macpherson proposed urgent amendment of the Standing Orders and the Constitution within the next 3 months, and enacting an Organic Law, this year, to entrench the authority of Members of Parliament (MPs) during a meeting of parliament to make the Speaker accountable for his interpretation and use of Standing Orders.

According to Paul Barker, the Executive Director of the INA, the Speaker is in theory, the third most significant political figure after the Governor General and the Prime Minister.

In highlighting the purpose of the proposal for change, Mr. Macpherson emphasized the role of the speaker as being the impartial "voice of democracy"  as well as to, "facilitate" the work of MPs. As the Standing Orders currently remain, MPs cannot replace a non-performing speaker; nor vote to overrule the Speaker's interpretation of the Standing Orders.

It is therefore in the best interest of this country that before Parliament resumes on Friday, all MPs should give due consideration to amending the Standing Orders before the Governor General is elected.

The question is, will the Parliament Act Now?

The success of any such reform proposal rests entirely on the political leadership of the day and there is still room to pursue these changes in the near future. INA intends to work with MPs and important actors to ensure MPs understand the importance of these changes as a first step to healing the sanctity of Parliament and legitimacy of State that has been dragged into disrepute. 

**For copies of the INA Discussion Paper 1/2011, go to the INA office, located on the 2nd floor of IPA Haus on Lawes Road**