THE National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) will consult in October to set a date for Parliament to vote on the 2019 Bougainville Referendum result.
Prime Minister James Marape announced the meeting in Parliament yesterday afternoon (27.08.26) after his government tabled the referendum result together with the Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework. The report documents six years of dialogue between both governments under Section 342 of the Constitution.
The Prime Minister said the tabling marks a major step under the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement but noted it does not conclude the parliamentary process.
“Today’s tabling is an important milestone, but it is not the conclusion of the parliamentary process,” PM Marape said.
“Section 342 of the Constitution provides the pathway for Parliament to consider the referendum result, but the outcome does not automatically determine the next step. It is this Parliament that must determine the way forward.”
The government has proposed an October timeframe for the parliamentary session where the Prime Minister will meet with ABG President Ishmael Toroama to finalize the specific dates.
Prime Minister Marape indicated Parliament may allocate up to two days for debate before members vote under section 342(2) of the Constitution. The 2019 referendum yielded a 97.7 percent vote for independence, which PM Marape affirmed remains a vital reference point.
Prime Minister Marape noted the Bougainville issue predates PNG’s 1975 independence and remains a painful chapter in the nation’s history. However, he emphasized that the peaceful referendum and the subsequent six years of consultations prove complex political questions can be managed through dialogue.
The Prime Minister urged all Members of Parliament to review the Joint Consultation Report and the Melanesian Framework documents thoroughly before the vote.
“The government does not seek to pre-empt the deliberations of this Parliament,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Read through the Melanesian agreement.
Read through the Joint Consultation Reports. Take it back to your assembly and process this. This is a serious matter.”
The Prime Minister concluded by saying peace must guide both sides, stating the final goal is a lawful pathway that respects the referendum and the 2001 Peace Agreement while protecting the long-term interests of both Papua New Guinea and Bougainville.