Natural Resource Management – The Townsville Peace Agreement
Implementations
Natural Resource Management – 2009
On April 15, 2009, the Commission of Inquiry into Land Dealings and Abandoned Properties on Guadalcanal was established.[1] The Commission of Inquiry was mandated with investigating the acquisition of Guadalcanal land by non-Guadalcanal persons prior to 1998 as well as other land dealings in Guadalcanal. The Commission issued questionnaires for landowners to file claims to land ownership.
The 1st 2009 Draft Federal Constitution of Solomon Islands provides for provincial authority over natural resources. In particular, the draft allocates land tenure and dealings, land registration, land planning, use, and development to provincial jurisdiction. However, these powers over natural resources were also listed as concurrent powers in the draft.[2]
[1] “Terms of Reference,” Commission of Inquiry into Land Dealings and Abandoned Properties on Guadalcanal, Commission of Inquiry Act, April 15, 2009.
[2] 1st 2009 Draft Federal Constitution of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands National Constitutional Congress and Eminent Persons Advisory Council, June 29, 2009.
Natural Resource Management – 2008
In 2008, the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs drafted the Tribal Land Dispute Resolution Panels Bill, which aimed to reform and replace the current system of dealing with land disputes which comprised chiefs, local courts, customary lands appeal courts, and the high court. The bill proposes the establishment of local bodies of local chiefs and other tribal leaders to hear disputes and an administrative body to provide support.[1] However, the bill was not introduced to parliament during this year.
[1] Tribal Land Dispute Resolution Panels Bill 2008, Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, 2008.
Natural Resource Management – 2007
No developments observed in this year.
Natural Resource Management – 2006
No developments observed in this year.
Natural Resource Management – 2005
No developments observed in this year.
Natural Resource Management – 2004
The 2004 Draft Federal Constitution of Solomon Islands, published in October, provided for greater autonomy for provincial governments within provincial boundaries over matters of governance and distribution of resources, including taxation, legislation, adoption of state constitution, and establishment of state justice systems. However, the draft did not explicitly delineate land management as exclusively states’ jurisdiction.[1]
[1] Draft Federal Constitution of Solomon Islands 2004, Provincial Institutional Strengthening and Development Unit and Department of Provincial Government & Constituency Development, October 2004.
Natural Resource Management – 2003
No developments observed in this year.
Natural Resource Management – 2002
No developments observed in this year.
Natural Resource Management – 2001
No developments observed in this year.
Natural Resource Management – 2000
The October 15, 2000 Townsville Peace Agreement called for the appointment of a commission of inquiry to examine land acquisition transactions of Guadalcanal land by non-Guadalcanal persons prior to October 1, 1998. No commission of land inquiry was established in the year 2000.