Prime Minister O'Neill rejects Vagrancy Act suggestions

Prime Minister  Peter O’Neill has rejected any attempts to introduce the Vagrancy Law in the country.

"No, I will not adjust section 52 of the Constitution, the last thing any government should do is interfere with the rights of our people, including freedom of movement,” Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill told Parliament on Friday.

"I know that it is easy and very tempting to try to introduce acts like Vagrancy Act but we must never forget that these are our people, they need our help."

Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said the Govern-ment needs to be innovative in creating programs like public housing, making land available for planned settlements and giving opportunities to the people through programs like free education and skills training for them to have better quality of life.

He told Parliament that the Government will go into a large scale planned settlement program throughout the country to address the illegal settlement issue. He was responding to questions from MP for Rabaul Allan Marat who said that squatter settlements have contributed to the law and order issues.

"What is your government policy in allowing the continuous existence of illegal squatter settlements?" Mr Marat asked the Prime Minister.

"Does the government have any plans to review and amend section 52 of the Constitution, which provides for the right to freedom of movement and removing illegal squatting?

"Will you give some assurance to the peace loving people of East New Britain Province and PNG that you will revisit the Supreme Court judgment that ruled parts of the Vagrancy Act unconstitutional and make amendment to the Vagrancy Act and enforce immediately?"

Prime Minister Hon. Peter O’Neill said many of the people living in illegal squatter settlements are seeking a better living for their families and as the constitution provides, government cannot stop the movement of people throughout the country.

He said government neglect over the years to introduce innovative programs has to be blamed for the increase in illegal squatter settlements. He said the Government is piloting a program in Port Moresby where land title is put up for settlers to move into a plan settlements where they can have access to a titled land, clean water, power and sewerage which they rightfully deserve. "Many of the people in illegal settlements are also workers," the prime minister said. "They are our citizens and we need to look after them."