Papua New Guinea’s NCD Parkop Flags Security Woes as Vagrancy Bill Tabled in Parliament
PORT MORESBY – Papua New Guinea’s National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has voiced serious concerns over ongoing security issues affecting the capital and the country, as he introduced the Vagrancy Bill 2025 in Parliament on Tuesday.
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| Papua New Guinea’s NCD Parkop Flags Security Woes as Vagrancy Bill Tabled in Parliament [Photo central Waigani- Port Moresby] |
Parkop explained that the proposed legislation aims to equip police, courts, and local authorities with the authority to repatriate individuals engaged in criminal activity back to their place of origin. Additionally, the Bill seeks to tackle vagrancy across Papua New Guinea by allowing police and local authorities to issue summons to those believed to be committing or to have committed offences.
“If you commit a crime and come to Port Moresby, we will arrest you,” Parkop said, noting that over the past 20 years, the capital’s population has grown while police numbers have remained unchanged — a key factor behind the increasing security challenges.
The Bill received broad support from Members of Parliament, including Northern Governor Gary Juffa, who called for its urgent passage. “Can we fast-track it? It is an important Bill,” Juffa urged. “It has to be done now.”
Parliament Speaker Job Pomat announced that, following parliamentary protocol, the Vagrancy Bill 2025 has been referred to the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Laws and Acts and Subordinate Legislation for examination and reporting back to Parliament.
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