Lawmaking Challenges in Papua New Guinea Parliament: Recommendations for a Stronger Democracy

 Papua New Guinea's parliamentary democracy faces several challenges that hinder the effective lawmaking process. These challenges include the dominance of the executive legislative process, inadequate time given to the bills committee, and the need to review standing orders and the parliamentary committee Act 1994. Additionally, parliamentarians often lack adequate understanding of proposed legislation, which further complicates the lawmaking process.

 Dominance of Executive Legislative Process

 The executive legislative process in Papua New Guinea is often dominant, which means that the executive branch of government has significant control over the lawmaking process. This dominance can lead to a lack of transparency and accountability in the lawmaking process, which can undermine the democratic process. To address this challenge, the parliament needs to assert its independence and ensure that the legislative process is transparent and accountable.

 Inadequate Time Given to Bills Committee

 The bills committee is responsible for reviewing proposed legislation and making recommendations to parliament. However, the committee often has inadequate time to review bills thoroughly, which can lead to poorly drafted legislation. To address this challenge, the parliament needs to provide the bills committee with adequate time to review proposed legislation and make recommendations.

 Review of Standing Orders and Parliamentary Committee Act 1994

The standing orders and parliamentary committee Act 1994 need to be reviewed to ensure that they are effective in supporting the lawmaking process. The review should focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the lawmaking process, ensuring that the parliament is transparent and accountable, and promoting public participation in the lawmaking process.

 Parliamentarians Not Having Adequate Understanding of Proposed Legislation

 Parliamentarians often lack adequate understanding of proposed legislation, which can lead to poor decision-making and ineffective laws. To address this challenge, regulatory procedures should be reviewed to ensure that all members of parliament have adequate understanding of proposed legislation before parliamentary debate.

 Recommendations

1. Standing orders need to provide for people's views to ensure that the lawmaking process is transparent and accountable.

2. Laws and status on members of parliament in terms of their codes of conduct should be reviewed to ensure that they are effective in promoting ethical behavior and accountability.

3. Regulatory procedures should be reviewed to have all members of parliament have an adequate

understanding of the proposed legislation before parliamentary debate.

In conclusion, strengthening the parliamentary democracy in Papua New Guinea requires addressing the challenges facing the lawmaking process. By asserting its independence, providing adequate time for the bills committee, reviewing standing orders and the parliamentary committee Act 1994, and ensuring that parliamentarians have adequate understanding of proposed legislation, Papua New Guinea can build a stronger democracy that is transparent, accountable, and effective.

 Citations:

[1] https://www.academia.edu/38451314/Women_and_Politics_in_Presence_Case_of_Papua_New_Guinea_pdf

[2] https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/87018/2005-12-19.pdf

[3] https://www.academia.edu/27542988/A_Melanesian_Icon_Professor_Bernard_Mullu_Narokobi_Ca_1940_2010_

[4] https://erc.undp.org/evaluation/documents/download/1452

[5] https://pacificinstitute.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/resources-links/Pandanus/Building_a_Nation_in_Papua_New_Guinea.pdf

[6] https://www.lowyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/pubfiles/Scott%2C_Reimagining_PNG_1.pdf