DEPARTMENT OF PRESIDENT & BOUGAINVILLE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
OFFICE OF CHIEF SECRETARY
12 June 2019
Quarterly Update Report – March to June 2019
As we approach the half way mark of the year, it is timely to take stock and
assess the progress of the Bougainville Public Service.
There is no doubt that 2019 has been a challenging year.
We have continued to operate in an environment of fiscal restraint, absent of
constitutionally guaranteed grants, whilst continuing to progress critically
important initiatives.
This work has included continued work to cement peace in the region,
preparations for the referendum, public sector reform and the President’s
agenda to eliminate fraud and corruption.
The depth of this work has been particularly evident in our efforts as a public
service to bring accountability, transparency and good governance to all
aspects of our work. This has meant that at times, hard and difficult decisions
have had to be made. We have had to dismiss senior officers, and a number
of departmental officers implicated in fraud and theft have been terminated.
Yet, this is the correct path to take, and as a recent decision of the National
Court attested, the processes we have used to hold officers to account have
been in full accordance with the law.
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I am conscious that some within the public service, both former and current
public servants, continue to question why, as Chief Secretary, I have taken such
a strong and hard line on these issues. The answer is twofold. In the first
instance, I am doing what has always been asked of me by the President, which
is to hold those that do wrong to account. Second, under the Organic Law on
Leadership I have an obligation to uphold the law and act against those that do
wrong. And in doing so, I am upholding the rights of all Bougainvilleans, who
deserve better and who expect us to hold those that steal what does not belong
to them, to account.
Over recent months we have been working actively with the police fraud squad
who have a number of investigations on foot. These are important
investigations. Whilst as a public service we can take administrative action
against those that do engage in poor conduct, the extent of the powers available
to me as Chief Secretary only go so far. The fact is that those that break the
law need to be held to account for their crimes, and this means assessing their
conduct under the Criminal Code, and where appropriate, initiating criminal
proceedings. Those that break the law must understand that there are
consequences that extend beyond the loss of their job, but can include terms of
imprisonment or substantial fines, as prescribed by law.
At the same time, I continue to cooperate with the Ombudsman Commission on
range of matters. These extend to capacity building and education and
supporting our public servants to understand right from wrong, and their
administrative obligations.
Investigations into allegations of misconduct are not easy. They require the
use of valuable funds. They take up precious resources. They require
cooperation with a range of internal and external bodies. That is why I have
been working with institutions such as the National Audit Office, the Public
Service Commission and the Ombudsman Commission, to establish and
strengthen their presence within the region. By doing so, we can enhance
capacity, respond more effectively to issues and concerns, and ensure that
lawful process is followed.
All of this is about building accountability within our public service ranks. It is
about educating our public servants about their obligations: professional,
moral and lawful. And we are making headway. Those public servants that
seek to do the right thing are able to see justice when those around them do
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wrong. Those that break the law are bearing the consequences, and we are
professionalising our ranks and slowly building our capacity to respond to the
complex needs of Government.
Accountability is also about ensuring knowledge of process and understanding
what is required. This means that our public servants need to understand
their roles. They must also understand the foundations that uphold the
institutions they serve – the policies, the procedures and the laws.
I recently approved the release of a long awaiting handbook on Bougainville’s
autonomy arrangements. Those that have had an opportunity to review the
handbook, which was developed under the watchful leadership and guidance
of Deputy Chief Secretary Raivet and his team, will see that it provides
valuable information about autonomy arrangements. Practical information
about how autonomy works, and what needs to be done to leverage the
opportunities that the current autonomy arrangements provide. Indeed, this
was a clear recommendation of both Reviews undertaken on autonomy
arrangements in 2013 and 2018 and was a finding of the systemic
organisational capacity assessments undertaken in 2017. By educating our
public servants on the legal, administrative and operational foundations of
autonomy, we can in turn harness the benefits that these arrangements
provide.
One issue I wish to clarify, and Colonel Raivet has made this clear, is that the
autonomy handbook does not promote autonomy as a political model. It
simply articulates how the current arrangements work. It is a practical guide,
not a political document. Of course, after the referendum has taken place,
and a long-term political settlement has been agreed, we will look to develop
new practical resources to guide our public servants as they embrace the
challenges to come.
As an Autonomous Region we have very defined and specific powers that set
us apart from other Provinces. We have our own Constitution, our own
parliament, our own laws and of course, our own public service. We have
departmentalised and through that, enhanced leadership accountability
through the appointment of Departmental Secretaries. In short, it is important
that all our public servants step up and take their responsibilities seriously and
recognise that we are not just another province of PNG. Our public service is
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substantially more empowered, and it is time that our public servants step up
and rise to the challenge.
We must also continue to build our policy capacity. Again, under Colonel
Raivet’s leadership we are embarking on more detailed strategic planning,
aligning our whole-of-government efforts to our Strategic Development Plan
(SDP). While this process has taken longer than we would have liked, we are
making progress, and I want to acknowledge the support of our Development
Partners in this process.
I will shortly be convening a fully constituted meeting of the Central Agencies
Coordination Committee under Section 53 of the Bougainville Public Services
(Management and Administration Act) 2014 which will become the primary
coordination mechanism at the whole-of-government level. Meetings of the
Senior Management Committee in its current form will cease, as this
committee has no basis in law, however Department Heads may of course
continue to convene regular meetings of their own senior management team
as required.
In the law and justice sector, under the leadership of Secretary Nanei, we
continue to support the Bougainville Police Service (BPS) and our justice
institutions. As recent cases of lawlessness and violence have shown, now
more than ever before is the time to support our police.
As Chief Secretary I continue to review our organisation and operational
structures. I maintain the view that there is room for reform. We need a fit for
purpose public service capable of responding to the challenges of the future,
and that means being strategic in how we use the resources that we have,
and how we structure government agencies in the future. These are matters
that I continue to engage the President on.
On the referendum and peace building, we continue to make strong progress.
The Joint Supervisory Body meeting in March was a great success. The
referendum date was confirmed. The pathway for post referendum dialogue
has been set and we have made headway against key operational indicators.
International observers have been invited to observe the referendum, high
level descriptions have been agreed, Constitutional Regulations have been
gazetted and we are making headway in operationalizing arrangements for
the referendum to take place. With our international partners we continue to
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support the Bougainville Referendum Commission, and arrangements for the
conduct of the referendum are slowly falling into place.
Awareness raising continues at pace, with joint key messages signed off by
the National Government Chief Secretary and myself, a new edition of the
Bougainville Bulletin is about to be released, and we continue to explore how
we can harness technology further. These are all positive and practical
measures to help ensure our people remain informed.
We also continue to address a range of actions and outcomes from the last
meeting of the JSB, including securing the services of an independent expert
to advice on the calculation of the Restoration and Development Grant, work
towards a national reconciliation ceremony, validation of weapons disposals
and the continued review of powers that are available to be drawn down,
particularly in important revenue raising areas such as fisheries.
Before I conclude this update, I want to address continued speculation on
social media regarding my position. It is true that a former high-ranking leader
chose to publish a letter issued to me by the President. This was both
inappropriate and wrong and conduct unbecoming of a person who has
contributed much to the peace process. I won’t comment further on that
particular matter.
But the fact is that the information regarding concerns raised are now in the
public domain. I want to assure public servants that I have vigorously
defended the allegations raised. No public servant or leader is above the law,
and that includes myself as Chief Secretary. I have faith in the process and I
look forward to advice from the Bougainville Senior Appointments Committee
on their views on whether further steps are required.
In the meantime, I stand by my record as Chief Secretary and I stand by my
commitment to continue the work of enhancing reform and good governance.
I will continue to do what my conscience tells me is the right thing to do and I
will continue to act within the limits of my lawful authority, dutifully serving the
President and his team.
The challenge that we face is significant, but no path is too hard.
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Together, we will reform the public service and provide the foundation for
generations to come.
Joseph Nobetau
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