Parliament of Papua New Guinea

“ Where a Provincial Government or a Local-level Government undermines or attempts to undermine the authority of the National Parliament or the national unity, the National Executive Council may provisionally suspend the Provincial Government or the Local-level Government concerned subject to confirmation by an absolute majority vote of the Parliament. ”

“ A citizen's right to vote in an election to the Parliament is as provided by Section 50 (right to vote and stand for public office) . (5) No non-citizen may vote in an election for the Parliament. (6) The Electoral Commission is not subject to direction or control by any person or authority. (7) An Organic Law shall make provision for and in respect of— (a) the appointment, constitution and procedures of the Electoral Commission, and for safeguarding its independence ”

“ In addition to its other functions and responsibilities under any law, it is a special responsibility of the Law Reform Commission to investigate and report to the Parliament and to the National Executive on the development, and on the adaptation to the circumstances of the country, of the underlying law, and on the appropriateness of the rules and principles of the underlying law to the circumstances of the country from time to time. ”

“ Making of alterations to the Constitution and Organic Laws.
(1) Subject to Sections 12 (3) (Organic Laws) and 15 (urgent alterations) , a proposed law to alter this Constitution, or a proposed Organic Law, must be supported on a division in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Parliament by the prescribed majority of votes determined in accordance with Section 17 ("prescribed majority of votes") expressed on at least two occasions after opportunity for debate on the merits. ”

“ During a period of declared national emergency the Parliament may, by an absolute majority vote, extend its term of office, or the term of office of the Governor-General, or both, for a term not exceeding the length of the period and such time afterwards as is necessary to allow a general election to be arranged and held, or for a Governor-General to be appointed, as the case requires. ”

“ Each law made by the Parliament shall receive such fair, large and liberal construction and interpretation as will best ensure the attainment of the object of the law according to its true intent, meaning and spirit, and there is no presumption against extra-territoriality. ”

“ Subject to Subsection (4) , the Supreme Court shall, on application by an authority referred to in Subsection (3) , give its opinion on any question relating to the interpretation or application of any provision of a Constitutional Law, including (but without limiting the generality of that expression) any question as to the validity of a law or proposed law. (2) An opinion given under Subsection (1) has the same binding effect as any other decision of the Supreme Court. (3) The following authorities only are entitled to make application under Subsection (1) :— (a) the Parliament ”

“ If the Parliament is not in session when a Prime Minister is to be appointed, the Speaker shall immediately call a meeting of the Parliament, and the question of the appointment shall be the first matter for consideration, after any formal business and any nomination of a Governor-General or appointment of a Speaker, on the next sitting day. ”

“ An Act of the Parliament referred to in Subsection (5) — (a) shall not derogate the rights conferred by Sections 32 to 58 (basic rights) except the rights conferred by Section 55 (equality of citizens) ; and (b) shall be for the purpose of giving advantage or assistance to persons who become citizens of Papua New Guinea under Section 65 (automatic citizenship on Independence Day) . 69. Application for naturalization. ”

“ Members of the Parliament are free from arrest for civil debt during meetings of the Parliament and during the period commencing three days before, and ending three days after, a meeting when they are travelling from their respective electorates to attend the meeting or are returning to their electorates from the meeting. ”

“ Where a Constitutional Law refers to "the appropriate Permanent Parliamentary Committee", the Parliament shall determine which Permanent Parliamentary Committee is the appropriate committee for the purpose and where the Parliament fails to do so the Speaker may so determine.
Sch.1.12. Power of majority of more than two persons, and quorums. ”