The Ineffectiveness of PNG’s Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence: A Call for Stakeholder Scrutiny

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The publication of Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Policy White Paper marks a milestone in defining the nation’s place in a complex and rapidly changing global environment. However, the process behind this document, which should have been a transparent and inclusive national effort, leaves much to be desired. At the heart of this issue is the ineffectiveness of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, which has failed to provide the level of oversight and accountability necessary for such an important initiative.

The Role of the Committee: Oversight or Oversight?

The Permanent Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence exists to scrutinize policies, processes, and expenditures within the domain of PNG’s foreign policy and national defense. It should serve as a critical body that holds the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) accountable for how public funds are used and ensures that such processes adhere to principles of transparency, inclusivity, and quality. Unfortunately, in this instance, the Committee’s silence and apparent inactivity during the review process for the White Paper signal a lack of oversight.

A screenshot of the Parliament web page with information about the committee: https://www.parliament.gov.pg/index.php/work-of-committee/permanent/foreign-affairs-defence

Stakeholders, including academia, civil society, and the private sector, were largely excluded from meaningful participation in the consultation process. The glaring absence of academic institutions like Divine Word University—despite its expertise in international relations and foreign policy—further highlights a failure to seek diverse and critical input. These shortcomings raise questions about the Committee’s ability to fulfill its mandate effectively.

Public Funds and Public Accountability

The formulation of the Foreign Policy White Paper involved significant expenditure of public funds. Citizens have a right to expect that these funds are used to produce policies that reflect broad-based input and serve the national interest. Without rigorous oversight, there is little assurance that the process was conducted efficiently or that the resulting document adequately addresses PNG’s foreign policy challenges.

The lack of oversight also means that the DFA has operated with little external scrutiny, which undermines public trust in the quality and integrity of the process. This is a troubling precedent for future policy reviews and development.

The Need for Stakeholder Engagement

In the absence of effective oversight from the Committee, stakeholders must take a proactive role in scrutinizing the process and its outcomes. Academia, civil society, and other interested parties must demand answers to key questions:

  1. How were public funds utilized during the formulation of the White Paper?
  2. Why were key stakeholders excluded from consultations?
  3. What mechanisms are in place to evaluate the quality and impact of the White Paper?

Stakeholders must also advocate for reforms that ensure future policy reviews are more inclusive and transparent. This includes urging the Committee to fulfill its mandate by rigorously scrutinizing policy processes and expenditures.

Toward a Culture of Accountability

If PNG is to succeed in developing robust foreign policy frameworks, a culture of accountability must be cultivated. This requires both institutional reform and a concerted effort by stakeholders to demand transparency and inclusivity. The Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence must be reactivated to play its critical role, and public pressure is key to driving this change.

PNG deserves a foreign policy that reflects the voices and aspirations of its people. To achieve this, all stakeholders must rise to the occasion and hold institutions accountable for their responsibilities. The future of the nation’s foreign policy depends on it.

Comments

  1. Aaron Wiam WunalfiaDecember 27, 2024 at 12:29 AM

    Undermining democratic principles increases the likelihood of policy failure. As such , I am uncertain that this current white policy will be sustainable.

    ReplyDelete

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