BOUGAINVILLE House of Representatives Speaker Simon Pentanu has raised concerns over a draft sessional order tabled in Parliament last Tuesday, questioning both the process and consultation surrounding its development.
The order, introduced by Bougainville Affairs Minister Manasseh Makiba, sets out procedures for handling the Bougainville referendum results, including a requirement for a three-quarter absolute majority—89 MPs in the 118-member Parliament—to ratify the outcome.
Pentanu said he was disappointed with how the sessional order was prepared, claiming key stakeholders were not properly consulted, particularly on the proposed voting threshold.
“It is disappointing to be misrepresented in the manner in which the crafting of the sessional order has been handled,” Pentanu said.
He said work under the Melanesian Agreement and Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) process had not been fully completed.
“The three-quarter absolute majority is always going to be a point of contention.”
He said discussions with Speaker Job Pomat in Fiji in April agreed on procedures for tabling the referendum results and debating the post-referendum report, but not the voting majority.
Pentanu said a planned follow-up meeting on May 6 in Port Moresby did not proceed.
However, Speaker Job Pomat told Parliament due process had been followed and the sessional order was tabled after consultations.
“Parliament has approved the sessional order based on all the consultations conducted,” he said.
He said debate on the referendum report would proceed once the minister presents it.
Abau MP Sir Puka Temu also questioned the threshold, saying constitutional amendments typically require a two-thirds majority.
