PNG Constitution

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Division 2. – Constitutional Laws.

Subdivision A. – Supreme Law.

11. CONSTITUTION, ETC., AS SUPREME LAW.

(1) This Constitution and the Organic Laws are the Supreme Law of Papua New Guinea, and, subject to Section 10 (construction of written laws) all acts (whether legislative, executive or judicial) that are inconsistent with them are, to the extent of the inconsistency, invalid and ineffective.

(2) The provisions of this Constitution and of the Organic Laws are self-executing to the fullest extent that their respective natures and subject-matters permit.

12. ORGANIC LAWS.

(1)^{[1] [2]}Subject to Subsection (4), for the purpose of this Constitution, an Organic Law is a law made by the Parliament that is –

(a) for or in the respect of a matter provision for which by way of an Organic Law is authorized by this Constitution; and
(b) not inconsistent with this Constitution; and
(c) expressed to be an Organic Law.

(2) An Organic Law may be altered only by another Organic Law, or by an alteration to this Constitution.

(3) Nothing in this section prevents an Organic Law from–

(a) making any provision that might be made by an Act of the Parliament; or
(b) requiring any provision to be made by an Act of the Parliament that might otherwise be so made,

but any such provision may be altered by the same majority that is required for any other Act of the Parliament.

(4)^{[3] [4]}Where this Constitution authorizes an Organic Law to make provision for any matter, the Organic Law may –

(a) make full provision for all aspects of that matter notwithstanding that all such aspects have not been expressly referred to in the provision authorizing the Organic Law except where this Constitution expressly limits the aspects of that matter for which provision may be made in an Organic Law; and
(b) may impose conditions, restrictions or modifications in respect of that matter or any aspect of it, except where this Constitution expressly states that conditions, restrictions or modifications shall not be imposed in respect of that matter.

^[1] Section 12 Subsection (1) substituted by No. 883 of 2006, s. 1.
^[2] Section 12 Subsection (1) substituted by No. 883 of 2006, s. 1.
^[3] Section 12 Subsection (4) inserted by No. 883 of 2006, s. 1.
^[4] Section 12 Subsection (4) inserted by No. 883 of 2006, s. 1.

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