West New Britain Provincial Assembly
Overview
The Offices of the Nominated Members are given prominence under the Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government 1995. They serve as the representative body for key special interest groups within the West New Britain Provincial Assembly. It comprises of four (4) Nominated Members, namely the Nominated Member for Women, Nominated Member for Youth, Nominated Member for Church, and Nominated Member for Business. Each Nominated Member is mandated to represent and advocate for the specific needs, interests, and aspirations of their respective constituency groups in the Assembly’s legislative and policy deliberations. The Office plays a vital role in ensuring inclusive and broad-based representation within the Provincial governance framework. Apart from the OLP&LLG, their operation is also guided by the following laws and policies:
- PNG Constitution (Section 42)
- National Council of Women Act
- Investment Promotion Act 1992
- SME Corporation Act 2014
- National Youth Policy
Core Functions
The core functions of the Office of the Nominated Members include:
- Representing and advocating for the interests of women, youth, church, and business communities in the Provincial Assembly
- Participating in legislative debates, motions, and resolutions on matters affecting their respective groups
- Serving as a bridge between the Provincial Assembly and their respective groups
- Contributing to the development and review of Provincial policies, programs, and budgets that impact their mandated groups
Key Responsibilities
- Attending and actively participating in all Provincial Assembly sittings and committee meetings
- Write policy submissions on behalf of their respective groups
- Consulting with and reporting back to their respective group on Assembly decisions and developments
- Initiating and supporting motions, bills, and resolutions that promote the welfare and interests of their mandated groups
- Collaborating with Government Agencies, NGOs, and Development Partners to advance programs benefiting their groups
- Submitting periodic reports on the status and progress of issues affecting their mandated groups
Programs and Services
Below are the respective programs and services provided under each Nominated Member’s Office:
- Women’s Development – Advocating for gender-responsive policies, women’s empowerment initiatives, and programs addressing the social, economic, and political participation of women in the Province.
- Youth Development – Promoting youth engagement, skills development, entrepreneurship, and programs targeting the welfare and advancement of young people in the Province.
- Church – Supporting faith-based community development initiatives, moral governance, and the role of the church in social services delivery.
- Business Development – Facilitating a conducive business environment, advocating for small and medium enterprise (SME) development, investment promotion, and economic growth within the Province.
Structure and Leadership
The Offices are composed of four (4) Nominated Members, each heading their respective portfolio:
- Nominated Member for Women
- Nominated Member for Youth
- Nominated Member for Church
- Nominated Member for Business
Each Nominated Member’s Office is supported by a small secretariat team that assists with administrative, research, and stakeholder engagement functions. The Office operates under the broader framework of the West New Britain Provincial Assembly and is accountable to the Assembly.
Strategic Focus
The Offices of the Nominated Members are committed to ensuring inclusive, participatory, and representative governance within the West New Britain Provincial Assembly, with a commitment to mainstreaming the concerns and priorities of Women, Youth, the Church, and the Business community into Provincial planning, budgeting, and legislative processes. Each Nominated Office strives to promote equitable development, social cohesion, and economic prosperity for all people of West New Britain Province by ensuring that marginalized and special interest groups have a meaningful voice in Provincial governance.
Contact Information
For enquiries related to each Nominated Member Office, please contact:
Division: Parliamentary Services Unit
Phone:
Email:
Location: Kimbe-Provincial Headquarters