Counting the votes in Bougainville's independence referendum, December 2019 Photo: Jeremy Miller / Bougainville Referendum Commission
Bougainville's quest for independence from Papua New Guinea has been put on the back burner, with the PNG Government putting off the tabling of the independence referendum until next year.
Bougainville has been wanting the parliament to quickly ratify the referendum for which the PNG government says an absolute majority decision by MPs will be needed.
Bougainville's lead negotiator, Ezekiel Massatt, and the PNG Government's Minister of Bougainville Affairs, Manessah Makiba - we are told get on well, but discussions between both parties have been few in recent months.
RNZ Pacific's Don Wiseman soeaks with University of Wollongong Emeritus Professor of politics, Ted Wolfers.
