Papua New Guinea - Constitution

Papua New Guinea is a constitutional monarchy recognising Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, represented by a governor-general who is nominated by parliament and serves for a term of six years.

Government is by parliamentary democracy, with a unicameral National Parliament of 109 members. Elections are held every five years, with universal adult suffrage. Each elector has two votes. One vote is used in the 89 ‘open’ constituencies (from 2007, voting on the basis of proportional representation), the other in one of the 19 provincial constituencies or the capital district, from each of which a representative is elected who acts as governor in the province or capital district. After a general election parliament elects a prime minister who heads the national government. Parliament can only hold votes of no-confidence in the prime minister when more than 18 months has elapsed since an election and at least 12 months before a new election is due.

Government is structured at two levels: national and provincial. The 19 provincial governments can levy taxes and are responsible for local education, industry and business development, while national government is responsible for national finance, infrastructure, defence, foreign relations, trade, schools and hospitals.

In 2003 Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare proposed to increase the period following an election in which there can be no votes of confidence in parliament from 18 to 36 months.

Since 2003 senior civil servants are appointed by the Public Service Commission.