Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a parliamentary democracy modeled after the Westminster system. Its system of arms of government consists of three branches:
-
The Executive: This branch is headed by the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the government and is appointed by the Governor-General. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet, composed of ministers from the Parliament, are responsible for implementing laws and managing day-to-day governance.
-
The Legislature: PNG has a unicameral parliament known as the National Parliament, which consists of 111 members elected to represent various districts. The legislature is responsible for making laws, debating policies, and providing oversight of the executive branch.
-
The Judiciary: This independent branch interprets and applies the law. It includes a hierarchy of courts, with the Supreme Court being the highest. The judiciary ensures that laws are upheld and that citizens have access to justice.
These branches work together to form a system of checks and balances, ensuring that power is distributed and that no single branch becomes too powerful.