Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

150327 MR Australia helps in training of law and justice sector professionals in PNG

Australia helps in training of law and justice sector professionals in PNG

The Australian Government is funding a Diploma of Government (Management) course to assist in the work of law and justice professionals in Papua New Guinea.

Twenty-five law and justice professionals, selected from over 60 applications, commenced the course last month, tailored by IEA TAFE for the law and justice sector to strengthen the human aspects of leadership and management skills.

Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes, said “the Australian Government is committed to supporting PNG officials to improve the management and leadership of the Papua New Guinean public service, and law and justice is a sector we see as a high priority for this support”.

The four-month part-time course aims to foster linkages within the law and justice sector, and a greater understanding of various agencies’ roles and responsibilities. For the first time this year the course includes provincial representatives. Two additional courses will be administered later in 2015, one in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and a second in Port Moresby.

This year’s Diploma of Government (Management) follows a successful pilot in 2013 of 22 graduates, and a second program in 2014 of 18 graduates.

Over PGK 500,000 has been invested for these courses as part of the Australian Government’s support to the Papua New Guinean law and justice sector. Australia’s support to leadership and management in the law and justice sector will be complemented by the establishment of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, as announced by the Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, in her most recent visit to Papua New Guinea. The Precinct will involve the transformation of the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business into a School of Business and Public Policy and the revitalisation of the Institute of Public Policy. It will bring together a range of providers to offer a comprehensive program of education and training to build the leadership qualities and skills of all PNG government officials.