Added to that, the Bougainville Referendum Commission only secured its funding in March. From a strategic perspective, Jennings says it would be best if Melanesia looked to Australia as its main partner on matters of security. “I don’t think the exercise of a democratic process in one of our nearest neighbours would be described as a huge problem for Australia. Along with Japan, New Zealand and the U.S., Australia has committed to a 10-year $1.7 billion electrification project in Papua New Guinea. The woman who made several comments is the former ABG member representing the women of South Bougainville, Rose Pihei who stressed the need to address traumatized people and also address mental health issues in our communities. [3]. Nothing is more certain than the dire consequences that befall a people whose leaders turn a blind eye, a deaf ear and who play mute to the evils of corruption. In replying to Kerr on 28 August 1975, Charteris compared Bougainville to Scotland and the way oil resources drove hope for Scottish independence. The conflicts in Melanesian mining villages are far more complex: these are wars against industrial machines that uproot cultures and tear apart ecosystems; fighting for the survival of languages, values and land as the threat of extinction rears its head. 5 major news alerts this week ( July 1- 7) on the Bougainville Referendum, 1 : Ahern urges focus on post-referendum peace in Bougainville ( From Irish Times ), 2. But the newly appointed PNG Minister of Bougainville Affairs, Sir Puka Temu, said the BRC needed to make a formal request if it wanted to delay the referendum. And there must be one national moderator and one external moderator. ( See full story Part 2 ). The BPA declares that in the Constitution of the Papua New Guinea National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB) is guaranteed a referendum on Bougainville’s political future to be held amongst Bougainvilleans 10-15 years after the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government. The greed of the elite is causing great pain in the Pacific Islands in the name of development and those local elites (masters of modernity) whose day to day preoccupation is perhaps about what’s tonight dinner menu at a Chinese restaurant tonight. The islands attempted to declare independence during the formation of Papua New Guinea in 1975 – but they were ignored. Though the independence option was expected … (2018). For now, a lack of accommodation inhibits tourism. Adriana SchmidtAdriana Schmidt is the Director of the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Directorate of Media and Communication, the agency responsible for whole of government communications. Are the current Melanesian leaders still holding onto this important vision? As a Bougainvillean and a Papua New Guinean, I am less concerned about Greater Autonomy, Independence (or the ‘Third Choice’ whatever it might be). Voters had two options – more autonomy, or full independence. Let us avoid the pitfalls of bad governance by making a conscious and conscientious choice for good governance without making compromises, taking short cuts or looking for quick fixes at the leadership level. The referendum was approved by the Papua New Guinea government, but the result is non-binding. There will also be a presentation by the audience researcher who analysed the impact of the service. The design of the referendum hotline was in line with published guidelines for the strategic use of mobile telephones in PNG. Amanda H.A. Hon. Australia and the U.S. have agreed to help Papua New Guinea redevelop its Manus Island naval base, which sits 350 kilometers north of the mainland and commands key trade routes into the Pacific. The … Yet in remains in pockets among the Wakunai peoples and some isolated villages we visited inland from the west coast. However, the mine, which has laid in ruins since 1989, would take years … James Marape, who took over as Papua New Guinea’s prime minister in late May, said on June 14 he would prefer Bougainville to remain part of a unified nation, but would listen to the people’s voice and then consult over future options. The automated ‘robocall’ from the President announcing the service was not in fact received by most participants, and many did not consistently receive the weekly text message reminders. My real concern is more about our insouciance and disregard for good governance that we must sternly guard against, whatever the political outcome of referendum will be. “I want to first acknowledge the result. Dates for this weeks BRC Bougainville Roadshow announced: Information and progress updates from the Chair Hon Bertie Ahern and Commissioners. The Bougainville Peace Agreement does not provide a solution for all the issues related to the post … The island has had its own autonomous government since 2005. Sharing of digital content by Bluetooth or local Wi-Fi hotspots does present another opportunity for those with suitable devices. One estimate cited by the Lowy Institute says Bougainville would only have 56% of the revenue needed to be self-reliant. The result of the referendum is not binding (even if the referendum result favours independence this does not mean Bougainville will immediately gain independence); If the two Governments agree, the referendum result will be tabled to the National Parliament (but the Parliament is not required by the BPA or PNG Constitution to make a decision on the result). In total, 181,067 ballots were cast. (USA NEWS ). The myth of national unity serves only the interests of elites in Port Moresby parliament house and Canberra – those who could not care less about the Melanesian communities whose lives, language, cultures and land have been under severe attack by the project of modernity. But customary ownership claims – land used for generations by local communities without the need for legal title – remain unresolved and at least three mining groups are in contention, which means an early restart is unlikely. Sir Puka said these events will include commitments to dispose of weapons. [4], Damien Dameng – prominent leader of the Meekamui movement in the 1950’s, from the Iran-Pangka Valley in Panguna District – recognized the impact of these “alien invasions” and contamination of life on the islands. Sir Puka said there are now teams on the ground preparing for the events at a date that is yet to be announced but expected to be the end of the month. In November the BRC completed the official ‘certified voter list’ to be used in polling for the Bougainville Referendum. Most participants felt they and their fellow community members had sufficient knowledge about the referendum and were ready to vote. Simon Pentanu. The cocoa and copra industries ravaged by the war have been re-established, there is small-scale gold mining, and potential for hydroelectric power and a revived forestry industry. While China gives most of its aid to PNG and Fiji, the region’s two biggest economies, Jubilee’s Fletcher says China giving aid to an independent Bougainville was “feasible.”, Geoff Hiscock is a Sydney-based journalist with a focus on international business. Sir Mel Togolo, the BCL chairman, told the company’s annual general meeting on May 2 that continued uncertainty about Panguna’s tenure remains a big challenge. [5]. She said people want to know more about what the two options – greater autonomy and independence – mean in practical terms, and to understand what happens after the vote. He said Rio Tinto was in favour of a “united Papua New Guinea”, though he said that may change if it deemed its long-term interests lay elsewhere. This independence Day – United Liberation movement for West Papua ( ULMWP ) and technical skills Constitution, a #... About peacebuilding and the three pillars of the 2001 peace agreement ( BPA ) seen your and. 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