The Bougainville Referendum Arrangements: Origins,Shaping and ImplementationPart Two: Shaping and Implementation

Abstract

Having considered the origins and aspects of the shaping of the referendum arrangements in the first of these paired Discussion Papers, this paper presents an overview of the arrangements for the referendum as set out in the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) and the constitutional laws that give effect to that agreement.

This second Discussion Paper seeks to not only clarify some of the complexity of the arrangements, but also to address a few major misunderstandings that have arisen in recent public debates about the referendum arrangements. It also provides an overview of some of the developing activity towards the holding of the referendum. Further, it interrogates the mixed messages about the referendum emanating from Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Peter O’Neill from late 2017. Show more