Law and justice

Law and order is a serious concern for Papua New Guinea (PNG). It impacts on people’s security and quality of life and the development of PNG, by deterring business, foreign investment and economic activities such as tourism.

Key challenges

One police officer for every 1200 people compared to an international benchmark of one per 450 people.
More than 20 per cent of police and correctional services staff due to retire by 2012.
Little change in government spending on law enforcement since the 1970s.
Around 9 per cent of business revenue is spent on law and order, such as hiring private security.
An inadequate number of magistrates delays cases in court.

What is being done

Australia and Papua New Guinea are working together to address these challenges through a law and justice schedule to the Partnership for Development. The Partnership sets out mutually agreed priorities towards reducing poverty and increasing the quality of life for all Papua New Guineans. A law and justice schedule to the Partnership is being developed.

The Partnership identifies specific focus areas including improved policing and crime prevention, better access to justice and reconciliation, reintegration and deterrence.

Results

Family and sexual violence

Family and sexual violence units have been established in Boroko, Waigani and Badili Police Stations to give better support for victims of family and sexual violence, including referrals to medical and counselling services and emergency accommodation or legal service referrals.

In 2009, guidelines were introduced for District Court Magistrates for issuing orders to provide immediate protection from physical and sexual violence and damage to property. Prior to this, victims of sexual and family violence had no effective legal support.

Increased access to justice and just results

Australia has worked with key agencies to make justice more available including:

recruitment of 600 women to Village Courts, including 384 magistrates, up from 10 in 2004. This is providing better responses to family violence and discrimination
training of officials and improving information systems for PNG’s 1400 village courts
establishment of Legal Aid Desks in 2009 in Manus, Kerema, Alotau and Wewak have increased access to state-funded legal representation
reduction in the number of juvenile detainees from 654 in 2005 to 368 in 2009
introduction of a reintegration and skill building program in Port Moresby for prisoners on parole.

Improved accountability and reduced corruption

PNG was rated 154 out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Improving governance and addressing governance is a responsibility for the PNG Government, however Australia is helping where it can. Australia has supported anti corruption initiatives which have strengthened the PNG law and justice sector response to fraud and corruption and resulted in savings that can now be put into front-line services.

Australia supported the PNG government to conduct four major criminal investigations in 2009, across four provincial and local level government administrations, resulting in 14 arrests for K5 million in lost revenue. The RPNGC National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate, made 41 arrests with a monetary value of K44 million.

Infrastructure

In 2009, Australia provided $4.5 million towards the Waigaini Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre, designs for a National Court Master Plan for Waigani, Madang Court Complex and Court Houses in Alotau, Kavieng and Kainantu Lorengau. Construction has begun on a new prison, Police Training Centre and Police Quartermaster Store in Buka.

Rebuilding law and justice services in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville

Assistance to the Bougainville Police Service means police are able to better prosecute serious crimes. Training of two additional qualified police prosecutors has allowed more regional investigations. The Office of the Public Solicitor for the first time has an office and is providing services.

Police stations and lockups have been upgraded in Arawa, Buka and Buin and there is better communication after the purchase of radios for officers and district offices.

Buka Courthouse now runs daily District and Juvenile court sittings with a National Court circuit every three months.

Yumi Lukautim Mosbi—providing an alternative to crime for city youth

AusAID is working with the law and justice sector, National Capital District Commission and business to reduce crime by helping youth to find alternatives to crime.

Young people from settlements in Port Moresby have volunteered to work with police during peak crime periods to identify, and then counsel, trouble-makers. Rugby and netball programs have been set up as an alternative to crime.

Since 2004, 3,600 people have volunteered for the program. More than 300 were engaged for on job training placements, and of these 118 have been retained for employment. There is now over 50 local employers offering training.

Last reviewed: 12 October, 2011