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Civil Administration Reform – 2002

On January 23, 2002, the PNG Parliament unanimously passed the constitutional amendments related to Bougainville. Both sides of the House were united to ensure that the proposed legislation, giving more autonomy to the Bougainville Government, remained on track for the final reading in March. The amendment also allowed for a referendum on independence to be held within 10 to 15 years.¹ Bougainville effectively had power over its own police, courts, public service, and taxation as of January 2002.²

There remained much needed reforms and the delegation of power from the PNG Government. On November 13, 2002, the Bougainville Governor, John Momis, warned the Papua New Guinea Government that a continuing decline in public services on Bougainville was jeopardizing the peace process. The peace agreement promised improvements in services such as power and health, but the administration only received a fraction of what it needed to implement improvements.³ PNG inter-government minister, Sir Peter Barter, said that the decline in services on Bougainville was in part due to a public service that was too big.⁴

1. “Papua New Guinea: Bougainville bill clears first hurdle,” BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific, January 24, 2002.
2. “Papua New Guinea to Grant Autonomy,” Associated Press Online, January 23, 2002.
3. “Bougainville governor warns poor services threaten peace process,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, November 13, 2002.
4. “PNG minister says Bougainville public service needs to be cut,” United News of Bangladesh, November 19, 2002.