17 February 2014

Minister for Justice visit to Papua New Guinea, 18-20 February

Minister for Justice Michael Keenan will leave for Papua New Guinea tomorrow to advance Australia’s support for PNG’s law and justice priorities including transnational crime and policing.

The three-day visit will include meetings with key ministerial counterparts, Minister for Justice and Attorney General Kerenga Kua and Minister for Police Nixon Duban, as well as several other senior PNG officials.

Mr Keenan said during the visit, which comes just a fortnight after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s first ministerial visit to PNG, he would be reinforcing Australia’s priorities in supporting PNG’s initiatives that improve law and justice conditions and the broader social environment, to benefit both the people and the economy of PNG.

“The PNG Government is taking steps to fight corruption and I look forward to discussing progress in this area with Minister Kua, including PNG’s progress to establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption,” Mr Keenan said.

“These meetings provide key opportunities to strengthen relationships with counterparts and reaffirm the importance of our bilateral relationship with PNG.”

The Minister will visit Australian Federal Police missions in Port Moresby and Lae, and Attorney-General’s Department officers deployed as advisors in PNG law and justice agencies under the Strongim Gavman Program. The Minister will also see some of the achievements of the PNG-Australia Law and Justice Partnership, including with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Office of the Public Prosecutor, which are increasing Papua New Guineans’ access to justice.

“Australian Federal Police and Attorney-General’s Department officers stationed in PNG are making an important contribution to the law and justice sector in PNG,” Mr Keenan said.

“The expanded AFP PNG Mission builds on an existing platform of Australian support and has significantly enhanced Australia’s support to PNG frontline policing operations and that is integral to strengthening the PNG police force.

“Australia’s investments include help for the most vulnerable Papua New Guineans – survivors of family and sexual violence – through specialist police units for reporting incidents and connecting people to support.”