Federal System Bill to be tabled in parliament this year – PM Wale tells Western province Premier Billy Veo
BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
PRIME Minister Matthew Wale says the Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation (GREAT) is committed to bringing the proposed federal system bill before Parliament later this year.
Speaking during discussions with Western Province Premier Billy Veo last week, Wale said the government will revisit the federal system proposal and aims to table the legislation during the November or December sitting of Parliament.
“I know you always talk about the Federal Government every time.
“We will table the bill in Parliament later this year. If the draft is complete, we want to do it before the end of the year, maybe during the November or December sitting,” he said.
Wale said provincial governments will play an important role in the process and will be involved in determining the most suitable governance system for the country.
He said any move towards a federal system must be guided by extensive consultation, research and careful consideration to ensure it serves the interests of Solomon Islanders.
“We can call it a state government, federal system or provincial government, but the key thing is service.
“If we call it a federal government only to give more power to ourselves to load over our people, then we will have missed that opportunity.
“What we are looking for is whatever we call it; it must deliver services to our people most efficiently. We do not want a system that is burdensome, too expensive and where all the funds are swallowed by administrative portfolios,” Wale said.
The Prime Minister said such considerations must be thoroughly examined to determine whether a federal system is the best option for the country.
He said the formal process towards implementing a federal system is expected to commence in early 2027.
Veo welcomed the assurance from the Prime Minister and said the Western Provincial Government looks forward to working closely with the national government on the matter.
He said his government will prepare a communiqué for the new government to sign.
“My executive will visit you sometime next month and we will bring the communiqué with us for your government to sign.
“I must say that the ambition of state government will also be included in the communiqué,” Veo said.
The proposed federal system has long been a key aspiration for Western Province and other provinces seeking greater autonomy and improved service delivery at the provincial level.
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