Rooney should be PNG’s next GG

Papua New Guinea, get ready to welcome the first woman vice-regal in 35 years.
Is this prognosis too far-fetched in a predominantly men’s world like our society?
Not really.
PNG has been ready a long time but our Parliament and government were not.
Let us change this trend today.
Outgoing Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane supports the idea of PNG having its first woman governor-general.
Many citizens also agree wholeheartedly.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and every MP must think about this important issue thoroughly before Parliament votes for a governor-general after Sir Paulias’ term in office expires.
Our parliament can create history by confirming Nahau Rooney as the governor-general designate in a fortnight’s time.
Australia’s appointment of Quentin Bryce, former sex discrimination commissioner and Queensland governor in September 2008, ended 107 years of male stranglehold on the vice-regal post – a great breakthrough for the women of Australia.
Canada has had a woman GG for the past five years.
Michaulene Jean is a most remarkable woman who achieved much in public life.
Many admire her as she has struggled long and hard from humble beginnings, settling in Canada with her parents as an eight-year-old from Haiti.
PNG can do the same thing.
There are many good women leaders around who would make an ideal future choice.
However, there is one I highly recommend – Nahau Rooney.
She is a respected former MP who first entered Parliament as the Member for Manus Open.
Over a 10-year period, she performed commendably by holding four key ministerial portfolios – Liquor Licensing and Correctional Services, Justice, Decentralisation and Provincial Government, and Civil Aviation and Air Niugini.
After leaving Parliament, she became director of the Forest Industries Council, deputy chairman of Air Niugini board and a member of several organisations – including the airlines investigation commission, UPNG Council, National Fiscal Economic Commission, Law Reform Commission, Pihi Manus Association and the Manus Provincial Government Assembly.
In recent years, she has taken up different roles in non-governmental organisations.
Her efforts as a concerned community advocate for ordinary people resulted in a number of positive developmental outcomes, especially issues affecting women and children.
Rooney has been a single parent since 1990 and is very much concerned for the marginalised sections of society.
Like Sir Paulias, she will do her utmost best to positively contribute to national development.
I call on Sir Michael Somare and MPs to appoint Rooney the first woman GG of PNG.

Reginald Renagi
Port Moresby