Review, Debating the Nation: Speeches from the House of Assembly, 1972-1975, edited by Brad Underhill, Keimelo Gima and Helen Gardner
Today, 16 September, Papua New Guinea (PNG) celebrates the 50th anniversary of its independence from Australian administration. Amidst the anniversary celebrations, many will look back to the events surrounding the achievement of independence and the ideas expressed by PNG’s earliest leaders. Debating the Nation will be a fine source for those who are interested in the political discussions that took place in the three years leading up to independence.
Brad Underhill, Keimelo Gima, and Helen Gardner have done an excellent job of compiling the most interesting and significant speeches delivered in the PNG House of Assembly between 1972 and 1975. This was a key period for PNG, as leaders from around the country took on the responsibilities of creating a new nation. The collection of speeches in Debating a Nation offers fascinating insight into the different viewpoints that existed in PNG, as well as of the clear sense of responsibility felt by all the members of the House of Assembly. Usefully, the primary source material is interspersed with brief explanatory text that helps to contextualise the debates that were taking place.
Three key issues stand out in the collection, which reflected the priorities of leaders like inaugural Chief Minister Michael Somare and opposition leaders Matthias Toliman and Tei Abal. These were the division over the independence date, the relationship between the central government and regional areas on issues like development and funding, and secessionist movements in Papua and Bougainville.
As Debating the Nation makes clear, one of the earliest questions that occupied the representatives elected in 1972 was that of when PNG should become self-governing. This was seen by both Australians and Papua New Guineans as a key step before independence and would give the House of Assembly the opportunity to demonstrate its ability to govern the country. For Chief Minister Michael Somare, 1 December 1973 was optimal. He believed it was “time we elected members showed some leadership.” (p. 33) In contrast, opposition members, many of whom were from the Highlands, suggested that the people they represented did not even know what self-government meant (p. 34). This geographical division, between those from coastal regions with long histories of engagement with European colonialists and those in the Highlands who had only recently been exposed to outside influence, would shape PNG’s journey towards independence.
This debate over the pace towards self-government did not recede after December 1973 and was present in the planning for independence. Somare again led the way, arguing for 16 September 1975, and indicating that “we have put this off for too long. Let us act now.” (p. 145) For others, this was too soon. Opposition members wanted the constitution to be formalised or for more development to be achieved before deciding upon full independence. Tei Abal, who was a leader of the opposition United Party, claimed that the country needed “the basic laws and the organic laws of the country entrenched in the constitution” before rushing towards independence (p. 146). These points were often presented alongside calls for more developmental progress before independence.
Decentralisation and provincial government are themes that also come through clearly in Debating the Nation. Calls for provincial government were seen by many as a response to secessionist movements in Papua and Bougainville. Josephina Abaijah, Papuan leader and vocal critic of the decision to unite Papua and New Guinea, is a prominent character throughout the collection. Her firebrand comments regarding Papuan identity serve as an interesting contrast to the Bougainvillian claims of neglect on the part of the House of Assembly. In this case, representatives like Father John Momis called for increased local power over development resources. Whatever the cause, both the Papuans and Bougainvillians posed a clear challenge to the government’s goal of national unity, and the collection does an excellent job of revealing the nature of this challenge.
Ultimately, Debating the Nation is most useful in demonstrating how the House of Assembly conceived of the vision of Papua New Guinean national unity. Whether it is through the description of Somare’s Eight Point-Plan, the extensive coverage of constitutional planning, or the moving statements about Papua New Guinean identity, the collection offers valuable insight. Perhaps the most evocative expression of the visions of national unity came from John Guise, who would serve as the first Governor-General of PNG, but who in 1973 was the representative from Alotau. In response to Papuan separatist sentiment, Guise exclaimed “unity starts in the home; unity starts in the villages; unity starts with bringing the clans together in the villages. From there unity grows.” (p. 107) Such sentiments continue to have value over fifty years later.
Nevertheless, while the book is beautifully presented, with an impressive assortment of visual sources complimenting the text, there are some minor omissions that might have assisted readers. First, the provision of an index could assist readers interested in specific issues or representatives. Second, there was scope to include a short reading list to advise readers of where they could turn for more comprehensive analysis of the topics covered in the collection. These are minor quibbles that did not take much away from an otherwise very illuminating read.
Overall, this is a collection that the editors should be proud of. As PNG reaches its 50th anniversary, Debating the Nation provides a perfect collection to look back on the goals and aspirations of the country’s earliest leaders. It is a book that all interested scholars and readers will enjoy for many years to come.
