Public submissions on the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2025 close today at 4:30pm as Solomon Islands Parliament reviews tougher drug penalties.
Public submissions on the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2025 close at 4:30pm today, 17 February 2026, after Parliament’s committee called for input last week in Honiara.
The Bills and Legislation Committee of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands issued the call for submissions on 12 February, inviting individuals, groups and organisations to provide written views on the proposed changes to the country’s drug laws.
The Committee is scheduled to begin its inquiry into the Bill today, with submissions to be considered as part of its evidence before reporting back to Parliament.
The Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2025 (No. 9 of 2025) seeks to amend section 39 of the Dangerous Drugs Act (Cap. 98). The proposed amendment would increase the maximum penalty for offences where no specific penalty is prescribed to a fine not exceeding 15,000,000 penalty units, life imprisonment, or both.
The explanatory memorandum states that the amendment is intended to increase the current maximum penalty under section 39(2)(a) of the principal Act.
If passed, the Act will commence on a date appointed by the Minister by notice published in the Gazette.
The Bill was introduced by Minister for Health and Medical Services Paul Popora Bosawai.
SOURCE : NEWS DESK
