Leo Hannett (17 July 1941 – 18 June 2018) was a Bougainvillean and Black Power activist, playwright, journalist and politician who played a significant role in Papua New Guinea's anti-colonial struggle and movements for the autonomy and independence of Bougainville. He was regarded as Bougainville's "most important secessionist leader of the 1970s."[1]

Leo Hannett
Premier, North Solomons Province
In office
1980–1984
Member, National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
In office
21 February 2006 – 2007
Member, Bougainville House of Representatives
In office
2010–2015
Personal details
Born(1941-07-17)17 July 1941
Nissan Island, Territory of New Guinea
Died18 June 2018(2018-06-18) (aged 76)
SpouseElizabeth Korinai Hannett
Children4
Education

Early life

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Hannett was born on 17 July 1941 in Nissan Island within the Australian-administered Territory of New Guinea, shortly before the Japanese occupation of New Guinea.[2] Evacuated to the Solomon Islands during World War Two, he returned with his father and two brothers, his mother having died while in the Solomons.[3]

Politics

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Hannett was one of a group of Bougainvillean students living in the territorial capital of Port Moresby who in 1968 called for a referendum to be held on Bougainville's future. He served as the group's spokesman and issued a statement requesting a vote by 1970 "to decide whether Bougainville should be independent, should unite with the Solomon Islands to constitute a separate unit, or should remain with PNG".[4]

In 1969, the Australia Party sponsored Hannett to undertake a four-state speaking tour in Australia, at the invitation of party leader Reg Turnbull.[5][6] Interviewed by The Sydney Morning Herald he declared himself committed to non-violence and cited his influences as James Baldwin, Tom Mboya, Dag Hammarskjöld and Mahatma Gandhi.[3]

In 1973, PNG chief minister Michael Somare asked Hannett to chair the Bougainville Special Political Committee. The committee comprised 36 local leaders and was tasked with gauging public opinion on Bougainville's political future, with a report to be delivered to the Constitutional Planning Committee chaired by John Momis.[7] Hannett made clandestine visits to Honiara around the same time, exploring the possibility of Bougainville's union with the Solomon Islands.[8]

In September 1975, following dissatisfaction with proposals for PNG's new constitution related to the distribution of profits from the Panguna mine, Hannett joined with others in Bougainville in proclaiming the unilateral declaration of independence of the Republic of the North Solomons.[9]

In 2006, Hannett was elected to the national parliament in a by-election for the provincial seat of Bougainville.[10] He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee.[11] As the sitting member, he unsuccessfully sought re-election at the 2007 general election, coming second with 23.04% of the vote.[12]

Between 2010 and 2015, Hannett served in two ministries in the Autonomous Bougainville Government: Minister of Police and Minister for Public Services.[13][14]

Following his death, the National Parliament observed a moment of silence in respect on 17 July 2018.[11]

References

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Wesley-Smith 1992, p. 414.
  2. ^ Post Courier 2018.
  3. ^ a b Pritchard 1969.
  4. ^ Regan, Anthony J. (2019). "The Bougainville Referendum: Law, Administration and Politics" (PDF). Australian National University.
  5. ^ "P-NG officials fear more trouble". The Canberra Times. 4 August 1969.
  6. ^ "University student to tour Australia". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier. 4 August 1969.
  7. ^ Devlin 2019, p. 4.
  8. ^ Laracy 1991, p. 54.
  9. ^ Hermkens 2013, p. 196.
  10. ^ RNZ 2006.
  11. ^ a b Hansard 2018.
  12. ^ PNG Electoral Commission 2007.
  13. ^ Kathoa 2010.
  14. ^ Laukai 2013.

Sources

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News media

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Academic materials

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Primary sources

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