Not an Arab Spring but a PNG Xmas

OUR people have the capacity to learn from the performance and sometimes non-performance of the present parliament. 
And our people will do it in their own way – which as the Preamble to the Constitution affirms is “consensus” not “conflict”. 
The resolution will not be an “Arab Spring” with violent overturn of long-term regimes. 
The resolution will be a “PNG Christmas”, with careful progress based on respect for others and a commitment to a better future. 
Papua New Guineans want a better future. 
They want health, infrastructure, educational and other services in the districts. 
They want opportunities for employment in the urban areas.
This parliament and the new one could and should properly consider the constitutional issues. 
They should consider:
l    The authority of parliament, the Supreme Court and governor-gene­ral;
l    When the government needs stability and when prime ministers need to be replaced;
l    The role, the appointment and the replacement of parliamentary speakers. Parliament should be able, by a sufficient majority, to overrule any ruling by the speaker that blocks de­bates;
l    Parliament dismissing a speaker who cannot perform; and
l    An unambiguous statement of the number of parliament’s meeting days.
The new prime minister should appoint an autho­ritative Constitutional Wor­­k­ing Group to consi­der these issues. 
The group members should be independent, ex­perienced and authoritative. 
They should be made up of people who are trusted by both sides. 
Church, business and community leaders have asked for Melanesian consensus – and for Christian humility and devotion to the well-being of the people. 
What should the “PNG Christmas” be? 
It should be where lea­ders commit themselves with humility – like Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the stable, like our God come to earth – to a future which brings peace and good will – and government services – to all men, women and children. 

Sir Barry Holloway and Dr James Macpherson
Via email