James Marape Photo: Nathan McKinnon
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says his government needs strong voting numbers to get key legislation through parliament.
He said the government is planning reforms in Public Service, the Provincial and Local Level Government system, the Law and Justice Sector, and in the country's resource laws.
The Prime Minister said these will require constitutional amendments, and his coalition will need the backing of at least 89 of the 118 MPs in parliament.
He told the Post-Courier that the government needs numbers not just to maintain power, but most importantly, to pass legislation, "which is the principal role of every Member of Parliament."
In the Law and Justice sector, the government plans to restructure the court system, elevate the Supreme Court, add an Appeals Court, giving police the right to apply the Vagrancy Act, and to fully develop the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Reforms to the Provincial and Local Level Government system include greater financial autonomy for provincial governments, allowing them to raise their own revenue - sommething that has been on the books for nearly 30 years.
In the Public Service, the government wants to entrench merit-based appointments and make the service independent of political interference, so it can effectively meet the needs of the people.
Also underway is the proposal to amend the Constitution as it relates to the election of the Prime Minister - whether Papua New Guineans want to keep the current format or to have the people directly vote for the Prime Minister.
