NOMANE TO CHALLENGE VAGRANCY ACT 2026 IN COURT

CAPTION: Opposition Leader and Chuave MP James Nomane.

BY NIGEL MADO

OPPOSITION Leader James Nomane has announced that he will be filing a submission to challenge the constitutionality and legality of the Vagrancy Act of 2026.

In a press conference in Port Moresby on Friday, the Opposition Leader stated he believes that the Law is legally, morally flawed, reiterating that this strategically strikes at the core principles that define the country.

“The Constitution is not a symbolic document; it is the supreme law that binds the State,” the Opposition leader said.
“The principle of “one people, one nation, one country” is a legal and moral obligation that all citizens of Papua New Guinea must affirm and promote in thought and action.”

He raised a key concern that this may have an impact on national unity, stating that the idea that citizen could be removed, displaced or treated as unwanted within their own nation.

He reiterated that this in effect is a form of internal segregation where Papua New Guineans would be potentially deemed less entitled to certain parts of the country.

“Any law that undermines this principle must be challenged and tested.”

Nomane went on to stated that the act also exposes failures in government planning adding that very effective policy requires foresight.