KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 1975 Population: 7,321,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 1.9% p.a. 1990–2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 157 Official language: English Time: GMT plus 10 hrs Currency: Kina (K) Geography Area: 462,840 sq km Coastline: 5,150 km Capital: Port Moresby The Independent State of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific shares a land border with Indonesia; its other near neighbours are Australia to the south and Solomon Islands to the east. Papua New Guinea includes the eastern half of the world’s second biggest island, New Guinea, bordering the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya to the west. The rest of the country is made up of about 600 small islands, chief of which are the Bismarck Archipelago, the Trobriands, the Louisiade Archipelago, the D’Entrecasteaux Islands and some of the islands in the Solomons group, including Bougainville. The country comprises 22 provinces including the National Capital District (greater Port Moresby) and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Constitution Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II Legislature: National Parliament of Papua New Guinea Independence: 16 September 1975 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 111 members (increased from 109 before the 2012 general election). Elections are held every five years, with universal adult suffrage. 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 have elapsed since an election and there are at least 12 months before a new election is due. Judicial system Supreme court: Supreme Court Ministry: Justice The justice system is based on British models, but is in accord with traditional values, particularly with respect to customary land rights. The Supreme Court is both the final court of appeal and the constitutional court. The National Court has original jurisdiction in the most serious civil and criminal cases. Appeals from the National Court are heard by the Supreme Court. The lower courts comprise district, local and village courts (with magistrates courts dealing with certain customary matters). There are also special courts concerned with family law, customary land disputes and civil cases relating to the mining sector. Government and politics Last elections: June–August 2012 Next elections: 2017 Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio (2011–) Head of government: Prime Minister Peter O’Neill Ruling party: Coalition led by the People’s National Congress Party Women MPs: 3% The political life of Papua New Guinea is one of diversity, characterised by a tradition of fluid coalitions. A large number of candidates (more than 2,700 in 2007) contest the 111 seats at general elections and the consequent low number of votes required to win seats means there is a high turnover of MPs. Allegiances are fragile and MPs often change parties more than once during the life of a parliament. Prime Ministers have tended not to serve out a full term between elections, though they have often returned to power later. Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 227 Papua New Guinea
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