Official Verbatim Record
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Verbatim report of sittings in the Bougainville House of Representatives.
Autonomous Bougainville Government
House of Representatives
OFFICIAL VERBATIM RECORD (HANSARD)
Sitting Date: 6/17/2026
Certified Date: 6/18/2026
verbatim transcript
The member explained that the constitution mandates money bills originate in the lower house, aligning with the principle that governments formed there have the right to pass appropriations and set budgets, while the upper house serves a scrutiny function. The current situation, where the Treasurer is from the upper house, necessitates a procedural motion to allow him to introduce appropriation bills and deliver the budget speech in the lower house, reinforcing the lower house's fundamental right to set budgets.
That is a good question, Wilson. The constitution provides that money bills can only be introduced in the Member, and that is based on the principle that as government is formed in the lower house, it is their right to pass appropriations and set budgets, whereas the upper house is constituted more as a scrutiny function, serving as the house of review. But, interestingly, at the moment, the Treasurer is from the upper house, consequently, we have to pass a procedural motion in the lower house to allow him to appear before the lower house by leave and to introduce the appropriation bills and deliver the budget speech. But fundamentally, it is based on the principle that because governments are formed in the lower house, it is their right to set budgets.