MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Australia will support the next phase of the Bougainville Peace Agreement by
providing funds to assist with the establishment of a Constitutional
Commission.
The Commission will be broadly representative of the Bougainville community
and report to a representative constituent assembly that will decide on and
adopt the final constitution.
This process will ensure that the people of Bougainville have a say in
shaping the way they are governed and how their autonomy will be
implemented.
The Government of Papua New Guinea will provide $150,000 to assist the
Commission and Australia will match this through logistical, technical, and
financial support. Australia will also provide $70,000 for key reconciliation
meetings and to facilitate weapons disposal awareness.
Funding will also be provided to ensure that Radio Bougainville continues to
operate effectively, keeping the people of Bougainville informed about progress
on the peace process.
The agreed arrangements for Bougainville autonomy provide for the
establishment of an autonomous Bougainville government able to assume
responsibility for a wide range of powers, functions and control over staff and
funds within the framework of the Papua New Guinea Constitution.
This will only take place when stage two of the agreed weapons disposal plan
has been achieved.
Australia has been a long-standing supporter of the peace process in
Bougainville. Australia has contributed $133 million since 1991 for
peace-building and reconstruction work and leads the multinational Peace
Monitoring Group, which reports on compliance with the peace agreement and
assists the weapons disposal process.
Contacts
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's Office) 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489