INTERVIEW: Push for Female MP Quota Continues in PNG

The Papua New Guinea parliament failed to pass a proposed Women's Bill to set aside seats for female candidates in time for this month's national elections.

But one candidate is still keen to increase female participation.

She's standing for the NCD regional seat and says she will focus on women's issues if she wins a seat in parliament.

Presenter: Geraldine Coutts

Speaker: Margaret Lokoloko Hapea, candidate in the National Capital District regional seat in the coming PNG elections.

HAPEA: There are two pieces of legislation; one is parliament changed the constitution to amend the constitution which allows for the fourth category of who the membership should be on the floor of parliament. And the fourth category is the women's seats. The organic law, that was passed, the only thing that needs to affect that constitutional change is an organic law on provincial and local government elections. That constituted on the second law. And what we need to do is revise that or revise that and bring it back on the floor to pass that second piece of legislation.

COUTTS: When do you think that will happen?

HAPEA: First sitting of parliament, I have already told the National Alliance leader, Sir Michael Somare, I talked to a couple of the members or candidates and they has agreed to support the second piece of legislation amendment to the organic law. They have agreed. So I'm going to push for it in the first sitting of parliament in August.

COUTTS: Between now and the next sitting of parliament of course are elections. How many women do you think will run in these elections without the aid of these parliamentary special seats for women?

HAPEA: We have 145 women who are contesting the seats. They're contesting the open seats and I'm expecting at least ten, 20 women to get in simply on the sympathy vote of the rejection by parliament of the organic law on making the amendment to the organic law.

COUTTS: So you're in the NCD regional seat?

HAPEA: I am, I am.

COUTTS: Is there a lot of competition in that seat?

HAPEA: Well we've got 19 candidates and there are five women who are contesting that particular seat.

COUTTS: So it's going to be a tough seat to win?

HAPEA: Yes but the thing is there are only five of us and how many more are going to split their vote. I've got to play it right and to play to the women, grab them second and get their third vote. I'm also talking to the male candidates to grab their second and third votes, so that's the collaboration in the preferential system that enables candidates to start sharing their vote.

COUTTS: How's it going for you, because in the past women, not just in Papua New Guinea but right across the Pacific are saying they find it difficult to run in elections because they don't have access to money like the men do, and so they can't finance their campaigns? How are you finding it?

HAPEA: Although I'm with National Alliance and because they're not in government it's a bit difficult to get the private sponsors to support anyone who is not in government. Whilst I'm campaigning I'm relying on the popularity of the NA, as well as the sympathy vote that will come because of the rejection of the organic law by parliament. Even though I don't have as much money now, it's the people themselves who are coming to me and saying, and not only women, it's the young people, it's the men, people in the settlements and people in the villages that are saying come, come, talk to us, what is it? That's more than money, people's enthusiasm supporting my campaign. So for me finance is not the issue, it's building up that passion amongst them, the voters that they need a change, change for the better.

Last five years no change, we've become poorer and poorer, the last 37 years, nothing substantial has happened in our society. We have had a law and order problem because young people have been pushed out of the education system. No jobs, no education, they talk about free education this current government, but what has it done for young people who are jobless who are pushed out of the system ? Now they're saying free education, but what about those boys, young men who are married between the ages of 18 and 25 years? They're asking this question, what about us who were pushed out? Why can't you provide free education in the vocational and technical schools so that we have a skill to be able to find a job immediately? Because the private sector and the employment sector is not interested in grade 10 and grade 12 certificates, even grade 8, they want skills, they want apprenticeships, trade. So these young people have a problem, they don't have the money. So as I talk now I'm telling the youth and the women that this is time for change with the mothering and mother cares for the women.

COUTTS: Well traditionally in elections in Papua New Guinea, 50 per cent of the existing members of parliament won't get their seats back, that's what's happened in the past, 50 per cent are changed. Do you think that'll be higher because of the recent problems with the leadership that we've seen in recent months?

HAPEA: Yes it will be much higher, much higher, so I'm expecting to see this the current government, not a lot of them are going to come back, I'm expecting to see at least 60-70 per cent, 70 per cent at least not coming back.

COUTTS: Well you want to get more women to participate and get voted into parliament. Do you see that happening?

HAPEA: Yes I see that happening, I'm expecting 20 women to join me on the floor, I'm expecting 20 women. So this went out to the community about the rejection of the 22 seats, we're grabbing 50 per cent of the people that are out there. And they're saying yes, yes, we believe in the women, we want to see alternative leadership and so that is the opportunity.