2016 is a Year that the Government has promise to introduce six new Anti-Corruption bills.
This statement was made by the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during the International Anti-Corruption Day, which was marked in Honiara on the 9th of December 2015.
The six anti-corruption bills are:
1. Anti-Corruption Bill
The Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) top priority for the first quarter of 2016 is to enact the Anti-Corruption Bill. This will be the first comprehensive legislation consolidating old and new offences of corruption with revised levels of penalties. The Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) will be established by way of this law.
2. The Integrity Whistle Blower Bill
The second highest priority is to introduce the Integrity Whistle Blower Bill to Parliament for enactment during the first quarter of 2016. This new legislation will primarily protect any person who report in good faith suspected act of corruption, maladministration and/or improper conduct of officials, from discrimination and retaliatory actions.
3. The Ombudsman (Special Provisions) Bill
Another high priority for Government is for the new Ombudsman (Special Provisions) Bill to be enacted by Parliament prior to mid-year 2016. In the new Ombudsman Act the powers of the Ombudsman have been re-emphasised and a requirement that the finding by the Ombudsman must be acted upon without delay, will now be part of the new Act.
4. The Leadership Code (Further Provisions) Bill
Another high priority of Government is for Parliament to enact the new Leadership Code Bill prior to mid-2016. The new Leadership Code Act will clarify which official in the public sector it will concentrate on given its overlap in jurisdiction with that of the Ombudsman. The new Act will also establish the Leadership Tribunal to hear cases of misconduct in offices.
5. The National and Provincial Election (Further Provisions) Bill
The National and Provincial Election (Further Provisions) Bill is another top priority of Government for 2016. Work on this new election Bill has already begun from the beginning of this year and Government intend for Parliament to enact this new law by mid-2016. The new election Act will provide for the new election system in which the 2018 General Election will be conduct under. A new anti-defection measure will also be provided by way of this new Act.
6. The Freedom of Information Bill
The Freedom of Information Bill is another top priority of Government. This is a Bill that will promote and exert transparency measures making available government information for public consumption as well as the right of Solomon Islanders to have access to official information from any government agency. It is our intention that this Bill is enacted by Parliament towards the end of 2016.
Corruption is a huge problem and it is a serious challenge that affects and should unite us all.
With these Anti-Corruption bills in store for 2016, Transparency Solomon Islands is calling on the 10th Parliament to consider the seriousness of corruption to our society and act on it and support the bills where it is brought before them in parliament.
Remember this is what National Leaders do; they make laws for the good of the people and the nation they represent and governed.
If you want to know more about corruption and how it is effecting our country or If you have question or want more information about corruption and good governance, please call TSI office on 28319.
From TRANSPARENCY SOLOMON ISLANDS
