By GINNAH MINI
The National Parliament has officially launched its Parliamentary Committee Recommendation Tracking (CRT) System website to ensure that committee recommendations that are being made are tracked and followed up by the government and responsible departments.
Speaking at the launching, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representative, Aadil Mansoor, noted that this system will help parliament monitor progress and encourage stronger implementation of committee recommendations and report back to the parliament on how those recommendations are being implemented.
Mr. Mansoor said that the CRT System is an important institutional reform that strengthens parliament’s oversight role and to bring PNG’s parliamentary systems online and more accessible.
The Acting Speaker of Parliament and Markham MP, Koni Iguan, in his keynote address said that the website will make it easier for constitution to track parliamentary proceedings and the committee’s work.
Mr. Iguan said that the government’s goal is to make democracy understandable, accessible, and meaningful to every Papua New Guinean.
He added that good governance is measured by openness, transparency, accessibility and speed.
“Transparency means the parliament’s decision, bill, tax, Hansard, reports and committee updates are not hidden behind administrative red-cut tape, but are clear to the public,” Mr. Iguan said.
“Papua New Guinea is embracing a digital era to build a more transparent, accountable and way-forward-looking nation.”
Representative from Australian High Commission, Craig Gillies, said that Australia through the parliamentary strengthening project, reflects their shared commitment to the democratic process, and they continue to support and strengthen the capacities of key parts of parliamentary service, including accountability and transparency.
Mr. Gillies said that the launching of the new National Parliament Website and the CRT System will serve as an effective tool that promotes a modern, transparent and accountable parliament where citizens can access parliamentary information and follow the important committees’ decisions.
The CRT System is made to Track Recommendations-which monitors committee recommendations from start to finish, gets instant insight with dashboards and reports, promote transparency and ensure follow-through on commitments and is ready to support smarter monitoring, accountability and decision making.