The kid who owns the ball makes the rules
PNG MPs are not accountable to anyone except:
- Multilateral institutions (IMF, Word Bank, etc)
If you look at the reforms, good or bad in PNG, you can pin it on either IMF or World Bank. The reforms are usually attached as conditions for receiving loans from these institutions.
On the positive side, if the government is reluctant to adopt a workable policy, an IMF condition may force the government to adopt it. On the downside, the government can actually adopt policy that doesn’t work in PNG just to align with the capitalist world and advance interests of the institutions, losing sovereignty in the process.
- PNG Courts
The Supreme Court is the only national body that can rule against, reverse, and direct parliament and leaders if they violate the provisions of the Constitution. Though there is a separation of powers principle, there is a provision under the Constitution where the Supreme Court can interfere in the affairs of the parliament if in the pursuit of its duties the parliament violates the processes and procedures set by Constitutional Laws (the Constitution and the Organic Laws).
Examples include 2016 when the Supreme Court ruled the adjournment of parliament unconstitutional, the 2022 meeting of parliament and decisions (including budget) unconstitutional when the other half of parliament was in Vanimo, ruling of the Manus Refugee centre unconstitutional, and some amendments to the such as the extension of grace period which the SC ruled unconstitutional.
There’s is a catch though: the Supreme Court, cannot on their own, initiate these cases. Someone with a standing has to bring it before the Court. Unless, the individual directly attacks the judiciary, as Brian Kramer did (in such cases the courts can initiate the cases).
- Donor/powerful countries
The US, Australia, Japan and NZ are funding a $1.3 billion electricity project in PNG, to connect 70% of PNG to electricity by 2030. This is just one of many “money-deals.” There’s no way on earth you can receive money of this magnitude for free (grants) and not lean toward the wishes of the countries that give you money.
You can talk all you want, but when they threaten to pull the rug under you, you’ll cave.
You don’t need to be a geopolitical expert to know this. Watch kids play on the street: the kid who owns the ball makes the rules; his team wins the game all the time.
- The people
In a democracy, the political class were supposed to be accountable to the people. There’s even a process called “elections” set up in the democratic systems to ensure accountability.
But Papua New Guineans don’t vote politicians based on policies, morality, integrity and related values. So the politicians do not care about living up these standards. They can mess up and get elected.
The people have the least impact on what the leaders do in PNG.
Academia Nomad 