Australian Aid to PNG - AusAID

5.2 GovernanceFormal targeting of governance as a key sector for Australian assistance inPapua New Guinea really only commenced in 1997, following Australia’sacceptance of the Simons Review recommendations in this regard. Prior to this,the vast bulk of Australia’s assistance to improve governance in Papua NewGuinea was focused on the law and justice sub-sector, particularly the policeforce. Since then, Australia’s efforts have intensified in support of public sectoradministration and economic management, as well as in helping develop aneffective judicial and law enforcement system and strengthening systems forthe protection of individual rights and freedoms. 17 Australia is also givingpriority to enhancing community awareness and participation, as a means toimproving government accountability in Papua New Guinea through betterpublic scrutiny of policies and practices.5.2.1 LAW AND JUSTICENotwithstanding the difficult law and order situation (which has numerouscauses external to the law and justice sector), Australia’s support for law andjustice activities in Papua New Guinea has had a range of impacts vital toimproving governance throughout the country. In total, Australia has providedmore than A$240 million in assistance to strengthen law and justice in PapuaNew Guinea, 68% of which has supported the police force.BOX 5.2 STRENGTHENING THE ROYAL PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONSTABULARYAustralian project assistance has been provided to the Royal Papua New GuineaConstabulary (RPNGC) since 1984. Improvement initiatives have reached into everypart of the RPNGC and have included substantial institutional strengthening, capacitybuilding, decentralised training, and provision of facilities and equipment. Some keyachievements to date, including broader development impacts where separatelyidentifiable, include:• Raised the level of discipline and professionalism in the police force.• Achieved significant management improvements, including in relation to seniorpolice executives, human resource management and corporate planning.• Introduced a strategic management system unique to the environment of PapuaNew Guinea.• Developed and introduced policies to support the advancement of women and thepromotion of equal employment opportunity within the Constabulary, wheredomestic violence is a serious problem.17 Such as the Law Courts, Attorney General’s Department, National Judicial Staff Service, Ombudsman’sCommission, and the proposed Human Rights Commission.36 The Contribution of Australian Aid to Papua New Guinea’s Development 1975–2000