‘Time to check democracy’

By CLEMENT KAUPA
WHILE PNG is preparing to usher in a new government for the next five years, the National Research Institute says it is timely to launch a research programme to strengthen parliamentary democracy.
This is in order to address the inherent weaknesses and issues at the heart of the constitutional crisis that hit the country last year, NRI director Dr Thomas Webster said in Port Moresby.
The key feature of the programme will involve research into the principle of separation of the three arms of government and what is the work of parliament and the roles of members of parliament.
The office of the speaker, parliamentary committee systems, weakening of the opposition and the worrying strength of the executive arm over the legislative arm were some of the areas Webster described as being dysfunctional over the years.
“It is hoped that the parliamentary democracy research programme can provide an opportunity for us all to reflect, think and discuss ways to improve and strengthen the role and work of parliament,” Webster said.
“It is time to address issues of performance over the past 40 years.”
 said Dr Webster.