Dame Carol urges constitutional reform for PNG

RADIO NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL

ON THE EVE OF HER retirement from national politics, Dame Carol Kidu says she wants the new parliament to look at what she says is long overdue constitutional reform.

Dame Carol, the only woman in the past two parliaments and the outgoing opposition leader, says the need for change had long been apparent but the political controversies of the past ten months have helped focus the issues more.

She says the present constitutional arrangements are not necessarily serving the needs of the people.

Dame Carol says she hopes the new MPs will recognise there are some very challenging issues in the constitution that need to be looked at.

“About whether it is appropriate in our circumstances for the Speaker to be a member of Parliament or whether it is better to look at the Solomon Islands and Bougainville model where there is a process by which a neutral Speaker is brought in later and is not a member of Parliament,” Dame Carol said.

“We should look at things like should the Chief Justice be appointed by Cabinet. I personally have thought for a long time that should not be the case.”

She says there may also be a need for second (upper) House, to ensure greater oversight.

Comments

[Mrs Barbara Short]

I have just finished reading Dame Carol Kidu's excellent book "A Remarkable Journey" in which on page 96 she mentions that "According to Section 169, sub-section 2 of the National Constitution, unlike other judges who are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commissioner, the Chief Justice is appointed by the Head of State (Governor-General) acting on advice from the National Executive Council (Cabinet). It in fact means that the appointment of the Chief Justice can be politically motivated."

Her husband, Sir Buri Kidu, as Chief Justice, had been fighting to establish and sustain an independent Judiciary in PNG but this had angered various politicians.

Buri's 10-year term was to finish on 14 August 1993. He had not reached retiring age and he had decided to indicate that he was available for reappointment.

But he knew that circumstances had caused him to cross swords with both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister during the past year.

Buri heard the announcement of his non-reappointment over the radio. It was a very sad time for Buri Kidu and he died 30 January 1994.

I feel now is the time for Dame Carol's next book. She has had first hand experience of all the problems, political and judicial, that have plagued PNG for the past year. Combined with her many years as wife of Sir Buri Kidu, she should have many ideas on what needs to be done in the way of constitutional reforms.

I hope that she will be listened to by the educated men and women of PNG. If she isn't then my respect for PNG will be diminished.

I also hope that some more women will be elected to the next Parliament.