By GEORGINA MICHAEL
North Fly MP Hon. James Donald has called for clarification on when the Vagrancy Act 2026 will be ready for enforcement, following a recent law and order incident in his electorate.
During question time in Parliament on Tuesday, Mr. Donald asked the chair of the parliament when the Act could be exercised to remove people causing public nuisance and returning them.
His question followed a recent incident in Kiunga town where drunk driving and public disorder led to accidents and unrest. He said police were outnumbered and the town was almost in chaos due to lack of control.
“When will the Vagrancy Act 2026 be ready so that I can exercise it?” Mr. Donald asked.
In response, Deputy Speaker Hon. Koni Iguan acknowledged the question and responded yesterday that the Bill is currently going through the certification process.
“After the passage of the legislation, the first Legislative Council sent files relating to those legistation to the clerk of Parliament, through the officers in the Bills and Papers office for proof reading on those legistation,” he said.
“After all checks are completed, it will be printed and signed by both the Speaker and the Clerk. For your information, the Vagrancy Act 2026 is going through this process now.”
The Deputy Speaker added that the Prime Minister had already moved a motion on the Bill, and after 10 sitting days on the Notice Paper, it will be brought forward for certification and ratification before coming into effect.