Bougainville House of Representatives claims misrepresentation in sessional order

Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives, Simon Pentanu, says Bougainville's Parliament was misrepresented in the development of the sessional order process.

In a statement delivered to the House of Representatives sitting, Pentanu responded to comments made during a ministerial statement in the National Parliament earlier this week, outlining Bougainville's involvement in discussions surrounding the sessional order.

The Speaker said that under the Melanesian Agreement, both the Speaker of the National Parliament and the Speaker of the Bougainville House of Representatives were tasked with jointly developing and agreeing on the sessional order.

He clarified that the mandate was issued by the Joint Supervisory Body in December 2025, which directed both Speakers to work alongside the National Minister for Bougainville Affairs and the ABG Minister for Independence Mission Implementation before reporting back to the JSB.

According to Pentanu, representatives from both parliaments met in Fiji in April this year to discuss a draft sessional order prepared by National Parliament officials.

He said both sides reached agreement on procedures relating to the tabling of the referendum results, the post-referendum consultation report and the process for parliamentary debate.

However, significant differences remained over the wording of the motion to be presented to Parliament and the voting threshold required for its passage.

Pentanu said Bougainville's delegation argued that the motion should reflect the objectives being pursued by both governments under the Melanesian Agreement and Framework.

He claimed the motion ultimately adopted by the National Parliament differed from the version discussed during the Fiji meeting.

"The motion adopted states that the National Parliament accepts the Referendum Results.

"This is not what was discussed or agreed," he said.

The Speaker also disputed the decision to apply a three-quarter absolute majority voting threshold.

He said Bougainville's position was that a simple majority should apply because neither Section 342(2) of the National Constitution, Part XIV of the Constitution, nor the Bougainville Peace Agreement specifically prescribes a voting majority for such a motion.

Pentanu said Bougainville's delegation argued that constitutional amendments resulting from the motion would later require the prescribed constitutional majorities, making a simple majority appropriate at the initial stage.

After failing to reach agreement in Fiji, the Speaker said, both sides agreed to continue discussions in Port Moresby on May 6 with the involvement of the National Minister for Bougainville Affairs and the ABG Minister responsible for Independence Mission Implementation.

However, he said the meeting never took place.

"We are surprised that the sessional order has found its way into the National Parliament.

"It is disappointing to be misrepresented in the manner in which the crafting of the sessional order has been handled." Pentanu said.

The Speaker said it would be inappropriate for him to criticise proceedings in another Parliament, but maintained he had a responsibility to correct the record after being referenced in statements made in the National Parliament.

Despite his concerns, Speaker Pentanu said consultations between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea had generally been conducted in good faith and expressed hope that discussions on Bougainville's political future would continue in the same spirit.

He urged both parties to maintain honest and constructive dialogue as consultations on the outcome of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum continue.