16 April 2012
Australia boosts election support to PNG
With the date of PNG’s national elections drawing closer, Australia has stepped up the tempo of its assistance to the PNG Electoral Commission, the PNG Defence Force, and the RPNGC.
Twenty one Australian officials are now working under the direction of the PNG Election Commission (PNGEC) to provide a broad range of electoral support services in areas including operations, logistics, training, communications, procurement and recruitment.
Australia also signed a contract on 13 April to re-establish an effective helicopter capability within the PNGDF’s Air Transport Wing (ATW). The contract will be operational by the end of May, with the aim of providing three aircraft in early June in time to contribute to elections preparations, and for a period of two years thereafter to assist with the full range of military missions.
In addition, the Australian Federal Police has helped the RPNGC roll-out a national communications network to enhance its capacity to manage its operations during the elections.
Australian High Commissioner to PNG Ian Kemish said this support is part of an integrated package of Australian assistance to help PNG conduct the elections.
“The PNG Government identified specific areas where Australian specialist assistance could make a valuable contribution to conducting the 2012 elections. The Australian Government has carefully assessed how we can add value to the PNG Electoral Commission’s work, and we are pleased to play a supporting role for the 2012 elections,” Mr Kemish said.
“We have provided almost K25 million over two years through the Electoral Support Program, which involves the Australian Electoral Commission helping the PNGEC deliver elections, including a comprehensive civic awareness program.”
Australian specialists have been deployed under the Australian Civilian Corps which is comprised of Australians chosen for their technical skills and their ability to work effectively and deploy quickly into challenging environments.
One objective of this deployment will be to help the provincial electoral offices to recruit and train some of the 20,000 electoral and polling officials needed across PNG to conduct free, fair and safe elections.
“Australia has also funded 30 community police and is working with 90 civil society organisations to increase election awareness and reduce breaches of electoral law.
“Australia has provided 88 computers to double the rate at which the electoral roll data can be updated and assistance through the Australian Federal Police to rehabilitate the PNG police national radio network and train security personnel.”
Furthermore Australia is scoping a PNG request for additional utility aircraft to transport personnel, ballot boxes and election materials during the election period.
These aircraft will join the new PNGDF helicopters as the core of a Combined Joint Task Force expected to comprise military aircraft and over a hundred personnel from PNG, Australia and NZ. (ENDS)