Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Speech 070716 Legal

 

Opening of the 7th Civil and Criminal Advocacy Program

 

16 July 2007; Holiday Inn, Port Moresby, PNG

Australian High Commissioner to PNG, HE Mr Chris Moraitis

 

I am most pleased to be here for the opening of the 7th Civil and Criminal Advocacy Program being run through the Legal Training Institute.

Australia is a proud supporter of the law and justice sector in PNG. We are working in strong partnership with the sector to help achieve the vision set out in PNG’s National Law and Justice Policy of a just, safe and secure society for all.

The Australian government is in strong agreement with the government of PNG that law and justice is a major priority for this nation. Australia therefore provides over K80 million each year to the law and justice sector, in recognition of the importance of a strong legal system to the rule of law, governance, security and the overall prosperity of PNG.

These funds support three programs: the Law and Justice Sector Program, the Enhanced Cooperation Program and the Justice Advisory Group. Through these programs, Australia is committed to supporting the sector to achieve the vision, goals and objectives that it has set out in its policies.

We are pleased to be supporting this Advocacy Program as part of our support to the law and justice sector. The work of the Legal Training Institute is vital to furthering the sector’s key priority of ‘improving access to justice and just results’. The LTI, under the strong leadership of its Director, Mrs Pauline Mogish, plays a unique role in ensuring that PNG’s law graduates are trained to the highest standards. Having a cadre of skillful, ethical and competent legal professionals is vital for the rule of law and the people of Papua New Guinea deserve no less.

This is now the seventh year that the Civil and Criminal Advocacy Program has been run and the Australian Government is proud to have supported it from its inception. The concept of Australian and Papua New Guinean legal professionals getting together to share skills, knowledge and expertise makes natural sense, given the shared legal history and tradition of our two nations.

The training provided to LTI’s students through the Civil and Criminal Advocacy Program is undoubtedly of the highest quality, being delivered by extremely experienced and respected legal professionals from Victoria. I understand that, over the years, a strong and close relationship has blossomed between the Victorian Bar and the PNG legal fraternity as a result of this program.

I am pleased that over 300 legal trainees have already benefited from the course, which has been integrated into LTI’s curriculum. This will ensure that PNG’s legal graduates will continue to benefit from it before embarking on their legal careers. We know that many graduates of LTI go on to become influential and respected professionals, not only in the legal system but as leaders in PNG government, business and the community as a whole. One of LTI’s very first graduates, Chief Justice Sir Mari Kapi, is the perfect example of how the students of LTI go on to make significant contributions to their nation. For this reason, Australia will continue to see support for institutions like LTI as a priority.

I would like to thank our guests from Victoria for giving up their time and sharing their expertise as part of this important initiative. Australia and PNG have a long history, connection and friendship and this is nowhere more evident than in the law and justice sector, where we share a common legal tradition. We have much to learn from each other and much to gain from continuing to work closely together. This gathering today is a wonderful illustration of that. I wish you all the best for your week of learning and sharing ahead.

Thank you.

End