Address to the Ombudsman Commission of Papua New Guinea
18 September 2007; Holiday Inn, Port Moresby, PNG
Australian High Commissioner to PNG, HE Mr Chris Moraitis
Good Morning.
Chief Ombudsman Geno, members and staff of the Ombudsman Commission, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I would like to thank the Chief Ombudsman for his invitation to speak at this important seminar. It would be stating the obvious - but good governance is an issue about which Australia feels very strongly and oversight agencies, like the Ombudsman Commission, play an important role in facilitating accountability and good governance.
I am particularly pleased to be speaking to the topic of today’s seminar: ‘Fostering Good Working Relationships With Government Bodies’. It has been clear to me in my time here that the Ombudsman Commission has been working to strengthen its relationship with other government agencies. Today’s seminar is another positive step along this path, and I congratulate the Chief Ombudsman for his initiative in bringing the seminar together.
I would also take the opportunity to welcome my colleagues from Australia, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Professor John McMillan, Detective Superintendent Steve Hulbert, of the AFP’s Professional Standards unit and Inspector-General Geoff Earley from the ADF. I am sure you are looking forward to hearing from them later this morning. To echo the comments of the Chief Ombudsman – the fact that you have taken time out from your busy schedules to be here is a great testament to your commitment to see Papua New Guinea’s Ombudsman Commission succeed.
To do its job properly, the Commonwealth Ombudsman must work well with the agencies that it is investigating. It has developed long-term relationships with these organisations to help it do its job. But these relationships also need to be balanced against the need for the Commonwealth Ombudsman to be seen as independent and effective.
Hopefully, today’s seminar will provide some useful insights into, and a possible model of how the Ombudsman can work with Government agencies to resolve complaints.
I have been encouraged by the efforts of the Chief Ombudsman to strengthen similar links in PNG. For example, as some of you would no doubt be aware, the Chief Ombudsman and the Police Commissioner signed an agreement earlier this year to set up a police oversight mechanism within the Ombudsman Commission. The Police Commissioner himself publicly acknowledged the role of this agreement in addressing issues of public trust and confidence in the police.
Relationships such as these – and the oversight they bring – are important for good governance. Improved governance has benefits for all Papua New Guineans. Weak governance can open the door for corruption. This damages development and impacts upon everyone. The waste that this causes falls most immediately and disproportionately on poor people.
Good governance is also about better management. This includes strong leadership of the public sector. Strong and effective leadership is essential for good governance, sustained growth and development. Oversight agencies, like the Ombudsman Commission, play an important role. But the departments themselves must also take responsibility for their performance.
The Australian Government is supporting the PNG Government to develop and implement its own policies and initiatives to improve governance and accountability. This includes work through the Enhanced Cooperation Program (ECP), funding across all sectors through the aid program and initiatives that increase the community’s demand for good governance.
Today’s seminar is a practical example of the way that we are helping the PNG Government to advance its own objectives. The seminar has been organised by the Chief Ombudsman and his staff. We welcome his initiative and congratulate him on pulling together such a strong line-up.
For me, this seminar is worthwhile in two very important respects: First, in terms of the subject matter and the ultimate aim of fostering working relations with Government Bodies; and second, as another concrete manifestation of the good and strong link being developed between the Ombudsmen of Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Once again, thank you for inviting me to address you today. I hope that today’s seminar will prove worthwhile for you individually. I also hope that it helps to develop and strengthen links between the Ombudsman Commission and other government agencies.
END