SI, Bougainville leaders forge stronger ties in Sydney

BY TONY IROGA

The National Parliament of Solomon Islands (NPSI) has successfully concluded a landmark week of professional exchanges with the Parliament of New South Wales (NSW), Australia which aims to boost institutional capacity and regional cooperation.

NPSI officially announced the the wrap-up of the high-level twinning programme in a statement yesterday.

The program ran from October 7 and concluded yesterday, October 15 in Sydney.

NPSI said the initiative brought together lawmakers and parliamentary officers from Solomon Islands, the Bougainville House of Representatives, and NSW to share expertise and study modern parliamentary procedures.

The vital professional development visit was fully funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Solomon Islands delegation featured prominent parliamentary leaders, including the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr. Dr Paul Popora Bosawai, Chair of the Parliamentary House Committee, Mr. Franklyn Wasi, Chair of the Environment and Conservation Committee, Mrs. Mary Garu, alongside Principal Hansard Reporter Ms Sherilyn Ragoso.

“The parliamentary leaders were joined in the second phase by delegates from the Bougainville House of Representatives,” statement said.

Throughout the week, participants engaged directly with NSW MPs and officers.

They observed Question Time in both the Legislative Assembly (Lower House) and the Legislative Council (Upper House), and took part in chamber tours.

They also joined shadowing sessions that focused on committee operations, stakeholder engagement, security, and departmental services.

NPSI said that the twinning arrangement plays a crucial role in advancing democratic governance.

The program is said to have provided a platform for meaningful exchanges between the three legislatures.

NPSI said it also allowed participants to compare practices, share professional experiences and identify approaches that may strengthen parliamentary operations in their respective institutions.

For delegates like Ms Ragoso, the exchange also offered invaluable hands-on learning with the NSW Hansard team, sharpening reporting skills that will directly benefit parliamentary transparency back home.

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