News and Public Notices

As we approach the end of the first quarter of the year and having returned from a period of extended leave, I want to take this opportunity to reinforce the key priorities for the ABG Public Service in the year ahead.

Building on Public Sector Reform

For the past two years, our public servants been actively engaged in building a coherent policy framework and reform agenda to guide Government priorities. Whilst some of this work has shown success, much still remains to be achieved.

In 2019 the public service must seek to build on the broader reform agenda.

This requires that public servants continue to align key priorities to the Strategic Development Plan. We must ensure that these priorities are captured in departmental and agency corporate plans and key working documents, and then translated into action. It is a fact that many recent policy initiatives have been progressed without whole-of-government coordination and appropriate consultation, which has in turn led to less than satisfactory results.

Public Service Leadership

As Public Service Leaders each of us has an obligation to lead. This means working together, utilising mechanisms such as the Senior Management Committee and the soon to be established Central Agencies Coordination Committee to ensure that that the public services provides the best advice possible to Government. The fact is that as a public service we have continued to fail, leading to increasing frustrations within Government. Simply put, we must do better.

Looking ahead, I intend to commence formally convening meetings of the Central Agencies Coordination Committee, as prescribed under Section 53 of the Bougainville Public Service Management Act. These meetings will convene prior to meetings of the BEC and will ensure that there is broad based discussion around whole-of-government implications, budgetary and resourcing constraints and implementation. As a public service, if we are to put sound policy options to Government, then these must be guided by facts and our Leaders must be afforded the opportunity to consider all possible implications to allow for informed decisions to be made.

Getting the Balance Right – Human Resourcing

I have previously briefed Department Heads of my concerns around the composition and number of Government Departments within the ABG. I have appraised the President of these concerns. It is a fact that our current organisational structure lends itself to dysfunction. Departments consistently fail to align across Government. This has led to the creation of silos and in turn, gaps in the policy development and service delivery process.

In 2019 a key priority for me as Chief Secretary is to progress reform to our internal structures. I will move forward with priority recruitment of key in line positions to ensure that all Department Heads have the resources available to them to fulfil their respective mandates. This must also include a serious discussion around whether the current departmental organisation structure is right, if there is capacity for rationalization, and in turn whether some Departments could be re-aligned, amalgamated or re-structured.

I will continue to engage on these matters, and I have tasked Deputy Chief Secretary (Policy), Col. Raivet in close consultation with Acting Secretary for Personal Management and Administrative Services to take the lead in progressing this important work.

Good Governance

As a public service, good governance must be the cornerstone of everything that we do. The recent review of autonomy arrangements demonstrated that there are some things that we do well. But it also showed that there are gaps in the way we implement service delivery, develop policy and progress legislative reform. These gaps can provide a basis for corruption, which in turn can mask inefficiencies.

The President has made it clear to me, and he continues to make it clear in his statements to the Parliament and publicly, that the elimination and eradication of corruption remains a key priority. In that context, all ABG Public Servants have an obligation to ensure that we fulfil the President’s wishes to eliminate poor practices and strive to do our best.

Holding Public Servants to Account

Members of the public will all be aware that in 2018 a number of ABG public servants, both senior and junior in rank, were dismissed on account of poor conduct. In many cases, individuals had engaged in blatant theft. As the head of the Public Service I do not shy away from these decisions. If public servants chose to steal and benefit from their positions illegally, there must be consequences. This is a position shared by the President. If we want to instill confidence in our public sector institutions, then we must create a climate that is above reproach, and which upholds, rather than breaks the law.

Many of the investigations conducted in 2018 have now been referred to the Police Fraud Squad, and it is likely that more officers will be held to account over the coming months, both in administrative and criminal terms. Those that show blatant disregard for our laws must be held to account, and this will remain a key focus and priority for me throughout the coming year.

I encourage all public servants to recognise that there is a link between their own actions and the destiny of Bougainville. Each of us have an obligation to ensure we conduct ourselves to the highest standards, not just because that is the right thing to do, but because that it what our fellow Bougainvilleans expect of us.

Law and Order

Law and order remains a critical issue for Bougainville. While the review of autonomy arrangements demonstrated that our police have made some gains, recent criminal actions have shown otherwise. Murders, torching of houses and mob rule must not be allowed to prevail. We are a peaceful people, and despite  the legacy of many years of tragic conflict, we must demonstrate that we are capable of living together peacefully.

As a public service, we must support our policemen and women to do their job, and whilst there is a need for continued engagement with the RPNGC on many matters, at the core each of us have a role to play. I appeal to all public servants to uphold our laws, hold those that break  the law to account using lawful means, and to ensure that law and order does not become a long-term issue for the Region.

Focus on Economic Empowerment

As we approach the referendum we must continue to be mindful of the need to provide a foundation that is economically secure for all, regardless of what form our long-term political future takes.

This means investing in our people, providing an environment that is conducive to investment and which encourages innovation.

In 2019 a key priority for the public service is to build on economic reforms to enhance trade and investment. This requires that public sector agencies continue to develop policies and legislation that support our primary producers, and the many Bougainvilleans that continue to work in the informal economy.

These policies must empower our people, and they must provide the economic base to enable growth.

Our focus must be on drawing down powers that deliver the maximum economic return to the Region. Whilst there are many areas where the ABG can draw down powers consistent with the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the Organic Law, we should be strategic in harnessing those that benefit us the most. The journey to peace and self-determination is a long one, and as a public service we are better placed focusing on what we can realistically achieve, rather than trying to achieve too much too soon. We must be sensible in our approach, and I welcome work that will take place this year to audit the existing drawdown of power process so that we may develop an effective strategic workplan for the years ahead.

Expanding the Revenue Base

At the same time, as a public service we must not lose sight of our goal of achieving fiscal self-reliance. It is a fact that we have failed in administering our own tax laws well. The Bougainville Tax Office has failed in implementing an effective compliance regime, and this must be a focus in the year ahead.

At the recent meeting of the Joint Supervisory Body in Port Moresby earlier this month, the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer made it clear that whilst the National Government has an obligation, enshrined in the Constitution and the Organic Law, to collect and share revenue and taxes with the ABG, that this does negate our own obligations to develop a strong revenue base. It has now been nearly 18 months since the highly successful Revenue and Tax Summit took place, and yet we have seen little progress in implementing reforms.

In 2019 it is my strong expectation that public service leaders will step up. I want to see greater engagement between the Department of Treasury and Finance, the Bougainville Tax Office and key economic agencies to advance and progress the work that began in the latter part of 2017 to reform our tax base.

If we are able to demonstrates this commitment, then it is likely that the National Government will in turn be open to sharing more of the total national government tax take. All of this has the capacity of enhancing our drive to achieve fiscal self-reliance in the longer term.

Reaching a peaceful destination

We must also continue to address issues of peace and reconciliation, a fact acknowledged by Leaders at the recent meeting of the Joint Supervisory Body.

As the referendum approaches, there must be a greater sense of urgency in this work. We must reconcile within, and nationally. The Prime Minister’s commitment to hold a National Reconciliation Ceremony this year, before the referendum takes place is to be commended. But this must be in concert with continued efforts to reconcile amongst ourselves.

We must also continue to ensure that we are adhering to weapons disposal requirements under the Peace Agreement. I want to commend the recent work of Acting Secretary Kuiai and his team. But, as the recent meeting of the Joint

Secretariat on Weapons Disposal resolved, this must include rapid verification and validation of weapons disposal processes that have taken place to date.

Preparing for the Referendum

Preparing for the referendum will continue to consume public service resources.I have recently approved special general orders for the Bougainville Referendum Commission, and many of our public servants will be called upon to support the work that the Commission undertakes.

With the date of the referendum now set for 12 October 2019, all of us will have a role to play in ensuring that our people understand what the referendum will entail, and what will occur after the referendum takes place.

As public servants we have an obligation to provide frank and factual advice, and whilst many of us may have firm views on either independence or greater autonomy, as public servants we have an obligation to put those views aside, and to simply provide the facts. It is not our role to play politics, and I encourage all public servants to practically assist the referendum process in an impartial way.

District Support

This year must also see renewed efforts to support our Districts in the delivery of practical service delivery. The first regional meeting of the SMC held in South Bougainville last year provided a stark reminder of how far we have to go. Our Districts and community governments have not received the level of support required to enable meaningful and effective service delivery.

This means that public servants working in Buka must be more proactive in providing support to the districts, and that the Departments of Community

Development and Community Government must develop long term strategies to strengthen District offices and Community Governments.

Looking ahead, there is a need to review the location of key Departments and Agencies to enable a more equitable distribution of government support. This could include headquartering some Departments in other locations, closer to key stakeholders.

Harmonising Development Partner Support

Finally, I want to acknowledge the continued support of our development partners in assisting the ABG Public Service in achieving outcomes and progressing reform.

Key partners such as the UN and associated agencies, New Zealand, Australia, the European Union and others are providing valuable support. But I am of the view that this support must align with our own strategic priorities and development aspirations.

It is in that context that during the course of the year I will seek to bring greater structure to how we manage our key relationships. This will include bringing together our development partners, in consultation with the Department of National Planning, to ensure that we eliminate duplication, enhance accountability and transparency and ensure that priorities are being met.

Continued Challenges

In concluding, I want to acknowledge the challenges that face us. They are many. Yet, we must not allow these challenges to disrupt the pace of change and reform. Rather, we must address them head on.

As the Chief Secretary to the Autonomous Bougainville Government I am steadfast in my belief that through hard work, continued faith and being strategic that we can achieve much more.

Let 2019 be a year of implementation and growth, so that we may maintain our path to peace and ensure that the foundations are in place to support our longterm future.

 

 This official media statement is authorised by the Chief Secretary Mr. Joseph Nobetau.

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