Papua New Guinea > General provisions

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Climate Change (Management) (Amendment) Act 2021 (No. 25 of 2021). -

Adoption: 2022-02-07 | PNG-2022-L-113916

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

National Pandemic Act 2020 (Act No. 8 of 2020). -

Adoption: 2020-06-16 | PNG-2020-L-110193

The Act was established to respond to a pandemic, pestilence or public health emergency and delivery of a response strategy. It sets out the details of compliance with the Constitution of Papua New Guinea and limits on certain freedoms and rights set out in the Constitution.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Quarantine (Amendment) Act 2020 (Act No. 4 of 2020). -

Adoption: 2020-04-09 | PNG-2020-L-110195

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Public Health (Amendment) Act 2020 (Act No. 3 of 2020). -

Adoption: 2020-04-09 | PNG-2020-L-110196

Sets out provisions concerning compliance with the Act and the Constitutional and restrictions on certain freedoms and rights. Also sets out fines for violation of certain parts of the Act.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Emergency (General Provisions)(COVID 19) Act 2020 (No 2 of 2020). -

Adoption: 2020-04-09 | PNG-2020-L-110197

Emergency Law authorised under Part X of the Constitution for the purpose of dealing with the COVID-19 virus.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Emergency (Defence Force)(COVID-19) Act 2020 (Act No. 1 of 2020). -

Adoption: 2020-04-09 | PNG-2020-L-110198

Emergency Law authorised under Part X of the Constitution for the purpose of dealing with the COVID-19 virus and making provision in accordance with section 202(iii)(c) of the Constitution for the use of the Defence Force during a national emergency to provide assistance to the civilian authorities during the state of emergency.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Miscellaneous (circular, directive, legal notice, instruction, etc.)

Papua New Guinea National STI and AIDS Strategy 2018-2022. -

Adoption: 2018 | PNG-2018-M-112752

The Papua New Guinea National STI & HIV Strategy 2018–2022, is the strategic guide for the country’s response to STI and HIV at both national, provincial and district levels. The strategy addresses the drivers of the STI and HIV epidemic and builds on achievements of the previous country strategic plans to achieve its goal of contributing to the country’s Vision 2050 through universal access to comprehensive STI and HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2016 (No. 42 of 2016). -

Adoption: 2016-12-22 | PNG-2016-L-105168

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2016 (No. 34 of 2016). -

Adoption: 2016-12-13 | PNG-2016-L-105170

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Cybercrime Code Act 2016 (No. 35 of 2016). -

Adoption: 2016-12-13 | PNG-2016-L-105171

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional Amendment No 43 (Dual Citizenship) Law 2016. -

Adoption: 2016-08-29 | PNG-2016-L-105169

1. Right to privacy (Amendment of Section 49).
2. Dual citizenship (Amendment of Section 64).
3. Citizenship by descent (Amendment of Section 66).
4. Citizenship by naturalisation (Amendment of Section 67).
5. Automatic loss of citizenship (Amendment of Section 70).
6. Functions of the Committee (Amendment of Section 76).

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2015 (No. 42 of 2015). -

Adoption: 2016-02-09 | PNG-2016-L-102738

1. Insanity (Amendment of Section 28).
2. Accused person insane during trial (Amendment of Section 590).
3. Acquittal on grounds of insanity (Amendment of Section 592).

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Act 2015 (No. 20 of 2015). -

Adoption: 2016-01-20 | PNG-2016-L-105162

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Climate Change (Management) Act 2015 (No. 19 of 2015.). -

Adoption: 2015-11-20 | PNG-2015-L-105163

Being an Act to provide for a regulatory framework to –
(a) promote and manage climate compatible development through climate change mitigation and adaptation activities; and
(b) implement any relevant obligations of the State under applicable rules of international law and international agreements related to climate change; and
(c) establish Papua New Guinea's Designated National Authority or an equivalent entity for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol and any such other or subsequent arrangements or agreements made under the Kyoto Protocol,
and for related purposes.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Code (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Act 2015 (No. 21 of 2015). -

Adoption: 2015-01-20 | PNG-2015-L-102739

Being an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act (Chapter 262) to criminalise money laundering and terrorist financing, and for related purposes. Introduces new Part VIA.

PART VIA. - MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORIST FINANCING.
Division 1. - Money Laundering.
508A. Interpretation for this Division.
508B. Crime of Money Laundering.
508C. Crime of dealing with property reasonably suspected to be Criminal Property.
508D. Alternative verdict.
508E. Combining several contraventions in a single charge.
508F. Proof of Criminal Property.
508G. Multiple Charges.

Division 2. - Terrorist Financing.
508H. Application.
508I. Interpretation for this Division.
508J. Terrorist Financing.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2014 (No. 25 of 2014). -

Adoption: 2014-10-21 | PNG-2014-L-102729

Amends definition of immature age from "seven" to "ten" years old.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation Act 2014 (No. 32 of 2014). -

Adoption: 2014-10-21 | PNG-2014-L-102737

Being an Act to -
(a) establish the Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation; and
(b) establish the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council; and
(c) repeal the Small Business Development Corporation Act 1990,
and for related purposes.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional Amendment (No. 40) (Independent Commission Against Corruption) Law 2014. -

Adoption: 2014-05-30 | PNG-2014-L-102728

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Juvenile Justice Act 2014 (No. 11 of 2014). -

Adoption: 2014-05-30 | PNG-2014-L-102731

Being an Act, as authorised by Section 172 (establishment of other courts) of the Constitution, to -
(a) establish a comprehensive and separate juvenile justice system based on restorative justice, melanesian tradition and contemporary juvenile justice practices; and
(b) to repeal the Juvenile Courts Act 1991 and to amend certain other Acts,
and for related purposes.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional Amendment (No. 38) (Appointment of Certain Offices) Law 2014. -

Adoption: 2014-05-14 | PNG-2014-L-102727

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional Amendment (No. 37) (Citizenship) Law 2014. -

Adoption: 2014-03-11 | PNG-2014-L-102726

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2013 (Act No. 6 of 2013). -

Adoption: 2013-09-18 | PNG-2013-L-98691

1. New Section 299A - SECTION 299A. WILLFUL MURDER OF A PERSON ON ACCOUNT OF ACCUSATION OF SORCERY.
2. New Section 347C - SECTION 347C. AGGRAVATED RAPE.
3. Kidnapping (Amendment of Section 353).
4. Kidnapping for Ransom (Amendment of Section 354).
5. Stealing (Amendment of Section 372).
6. Misappropriation of Property (Amendment of Section 383A).
7. The Offence of Robbery (Amendment of Section 386).
8. Sentence of Death (Amendment of Section 597).
9. Execution of Sentence of Death (Amendment of Section 614).

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2013 (Act No. 30 of 2013). -

Adoption: 2013-04-07 | PNG-2013-L-98690

1. NEW DIVISION III.10. - PEOPLE SMUGGLING
206A. Compliance with Constitutional Requirements
206B. Application
206C. Interpretation
206D. People Smuggling
206E. Falsifying Travel or Identity Documents or Approval to Travel or Stay Documents
206F. Consent of Smuggled Person not a Defence
206G. Immunity from Criminal Prosecution
206H. Orders for Expenses
206I. Assistance to and Protection of Smuggled Persons

2. NEW DIVISION IV.1A. - TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
208A. Application
208B. Interpretation
208C. Trafficking in Persons
208D. Trafficking in Persons with Knowledge or Recklessness
208E. Consent of Trafficked Person not a Defence
208F. Immunity from Criminal Prosecution
208G. Assistance to and Protection of Trafficked Persons

3. Repeal of Sections 218 and 219.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional Amendment No. 35 (Provincial Electorates) Law 2012. -

Adoption: 2012-05-16 | PNG-2012-L-98688

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Judicial Conduct Act 2012 (No. 4 of 2012). -

Adoption: 2012-04-03 | Date of entry into force: 2011-11-01 | PNG-2012-L-92097

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional Amendment No. 33 (Sovereign Wealth Fund) Law 2012. -

Adoption: 2012-03-21 | PNG-2012-L-98687

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional Amendment No.36 (Motions of No Confidence Law), 2012. -

Adoption: 2012 | PNG-2012-L-98689

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional Amendment No. 32 (Equality and Participation) Act 2011. -

Adoption: 2011-12-25 | PNG-2011-L-92094

1. Compliance with Constitutional Requirements.
2. Membership (Amendment of Section 101).

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Constitution

Constitutional (Amendment) (Number of Ministers) Law 2010. -

Adoption: 2010-06-24 | PNG-2010-C-96182

Other Ministers (Amendment of Section 144).

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Constitution

Constitutional Amendment No. 34 Law 2010. -

Adoption: 2010-03-09 | Date of entry into force: 2012-05-15 | PNG-2010-C-96181

1. Responsibilities of office (Amendment of Section 27).
2. Further provisions (Amendment of Section 28).
3. Prosecution of misconduct in office (Amendment of Section 29).
4. The Ombudsman Commission (Amendment of Section 217).
5. New Section 219A.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional Amendment No. 31 (Provincial Electorates) Act 2010. -

Adoption: 2010 | Date of entry into force: 2011-05-19 | PNG-2010-L-92093

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Act 2009 (No. 2 of 2009). -

Adoption: 2009-07-28 | PNG-2009-L-92088

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Constitution

Constitution of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville 2004. -

Adoption: 2004-12-21 | PNG-2004-C-82386

Sets out the Constitution of Bougainville. Rights include freedom from forced labour, freedom of employment and freedom of assembly and association. Section 39 states that "The Autonomous Bougainville Government shall recognize and promote the protection of the rights of workers and employees."

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates 2003. -

Adoption: 2003 | PNG-2003-L-88056

Being an Being an Organic Law to implement Subdivision VI.2.H (Protection of Elections from Outside or Hidden Influences) of the Constitution and for related purposes,

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Code (Sexual Offences and Crimes Against Children) Act 2002 (No. 27 of 2002). -

Adoption: 2002-06-26 | Date of entry into force: 2003-04-10 | PNG-2003-L-92089

The Criminal Code (Sexual Offences and Crimes against Children) Act of 2002 introduced a series of new offences to the Criminal Code extending the scope of sexual offences. The offences are graded according to the seriousness of the harm and incorporate the ways in which women are sexually violated. Tougher sentences were introduced, the marital immunity that had previously protected husbands from a charge of rape was removed, and the requirement for corroboration was removed.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Organic Law on Peace-Building in Bougainville-Autonomous Bougainville Government and Bougainville Referendum 2002. -

Adoption: 2002-06-25 | PNG-2002-L-88053

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Free Trade Zones Act 2000 (No 18 of 2000) -

Adoption: 2000 | PNG-2000-L-70738

Establishes the framework and mechanism for the creation, operation, administration and co-ordination of free trade zones in Papua New Guinea and creation and establishment of free trade zones Authorities, their powers and functions.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments (No. 29 of 1998). -

Adoption: 1998 | PNG-1998-L-88035

Implements Part VIA (Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments) of the Constitution by making provision for and in respect of a system of Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments for the provinces pursuant to the Second National Goal (Equality and Participation) of the National Goals and Directive Principles of the Constitution. Repeals and replaces the Organic Law on Provincial Government.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Companies Act, 1997 (No. 10 of 1997). -

Adoption: 1997 | PNG-1997-L-88001

Reforms the law relating to companies and repeals the Companies Act (Chapter 146).

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Organic Law on National and Local-Level Governments Elections 1997 (No. 3 of 1997). -

Adoption: 1997 | PNG-1997-L-88052

Being an Organic Law to implement Section 125 (electorates) Section 126 (elections) and Section 187C (Constitution, functions, etc., of Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments) of the Constitution by providing for¿
(a) a Boundaries Commission; and
(b) the defining of boundaries of National Electorates; and
(c) an Electoral Commission; and
(d) the holding of National Elections; and
(e) the holding of Local-level Government Elections,

and to repeal the Organic Law on National Elections and other laws and to make consequential amendments to the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-level Governments and for related purposes.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Industrial Centres Development Corporation Act 1990. -

Adoption: 1990 | PNG-1990-L-65899

Contains provisions on corporations, their board and staff.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Employment Act No. 54 of 1978 (Consolidated up to 31 March 2001). -

Adoption: 1978-08-21 | Date of entry into force: 1981-01-01 | PNG-1978-L-54778

Regulates working conditions and conditions of employment. Part One makes introductory definitions and provisions. Part Two makes administrative provisions which include the appointment of labour officers. Part Three governs contracts of employment. Establishes the requirements for oral and written contracts. Governs contracts for casual workers and piece-rate work. Provides for the termination of contracts and for repatriation. Part Four regulates conditions of employment. Establishes maximum daily hours of work at twelve per day and sets overtime wage rates. Provides for rest and leave. Part Five governs the payment and protection of wages. Regulates minimum wage rates, entitlement to wages, methods of payment and deductions. Establishes the priority of payment of wages over all other debts of an employer. Sets procedures and fines for the failure to pay wages. Part Six governs the employment of females and young persons. Limits the employment of females at night and prohibits the employment of females in heavy labour. Provides for maternity leave. Prohibits the employment of young persons under the age of eleven. Allows for the employment of young persons aged between eleven and sixteen as long as the employment does not prejudice school attendance, and as long as the young person has parental permission. Part Seven governs recruiting and employment agents. Part Eight regulates worker housing. Part Nine governs health and welfare. Part Ten establishes penalties for offences. Part Eleven makes miscellaneous provisions. Part Twelve sets forth transitional provisions.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Constitution

Constitution of Papua New Guinea, 1975. -

Adoption: 1975-09-16 | PNG-1975-C-44016

The Preamble sets forth national goals and directive principles. These include integral human development, equality and participation, national sovereignty and self-reliance. Economic development shall encourage small-scale artisan, service and business activity, and shall respect traditional culture. Part I, Division 3 sets forth basic rights, including right to life, freedom of expression, thought, employment, and assembly, as well as protection from inhuman treatment and forced labour. All citizens are equal irrespective of race, tribe, political opinion, religion or sex. Part IV regulates citizenship. Art. 217 provides for the post of an Ombudsman; Part X provides for Emergency Powers. Schedule 2.6 provides for the adoption and continuation of pre-independence laws.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Organic Law on Certain Constitutional Office-holders. -

Adoption: 1975 | PNG-1975-L-88050

1. Definitions.
2. Application of other law to constitutional office-holders.
3. Qualifications for appointment.
[4. Repealed]
5. Qualifications for appointment.
[6. Repealed]
7. Appointment.
8. Qualifications for appointment.
[9. Repealed]
10. Qualifications for appointment and disqualifications from office.
[11. Repealed]
12. Declaration of Office.
13. Term of office.
14. Disqualifications from office.
15. Conditions of employment general to all constitutional office-holders.
16. Resignation.
17. Retirement.
18. Acting constitutional office-holder.
19. Annual reports.
20. First Public Prosecutor.
21. First Public Solicitor.
22. First Clerk of the National Parliament.
23. First Auditor-General.
24. Term of office of first constitutional office-holders.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Organic Law on immediate and transitional constitutional provisions. -

Adoption: 1975 | PNG-1975-L-88051

1. Interpretation.
2. Continuing effect of pre-Independence laws.
3. Declarations, affirmations, etc.
4. Effect of Part III.
5. Former instrumentalities, etc.
6. Former officers, etc.
7. First Secretary to the National Executive Council.
8. First Magistrates.
9. First subordinate courts.
10. Pending legal proceedings.
11. Saving of judgements, etc.
12. Former provincial government bodies.
13. Former Local Government bodies.
14. Power of Mercy.
15. Application.
16. References in pre-Independence laws.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Organic Law on the Guarantee of the Rights and Independence of Constitutional Office-holders. -

Adoption: 1975 | PNG-1975-L-88055

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Organic Law on the Ombudsman Commission. -

Adoption: 1975 | PNG-1975-L-88057

Being an Organic Law to implement Division VIII.2 (Ombudsman Commission) of the Constitution.

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Citizenship Act 1975 (Cap. 12). -

Adoption: 1975 | PNG-1975-L-105167

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Law, Act

Criminal Code Act 1974 (Cap. 262). -

Adoption: 1974 | PNG-1974-L-70707

Papua New Guinea - General provisions - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

National Identity Regulation 1973. -

Adoption: 1973 | PNG-1973-R-88038

1. Application.
2. Restriction on use of National Flag or National Emblem.
3. Warrant to use flags.