Partnership to improve Community Justice in Hela Province

Australia and ExxonMobil PNG today announced the continuation of support to improve community justice and safety for the people of Hela Province. 

This was sealed with the signing of a new schedule to the 2014 Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on development activities in PNG by Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis and Exxon Mobil Managing Director Andrew Barry. The new schedule continues funding for a full-time Tari-based community safety adviser.

“This is an excellent example of how the Papua New Guinea Government, business and development partners can work together to strengthen law and justice service delivery and improve the lives of Papua New Guineans. Today we recognise the joint commitment of the Australian Government and ExxonMobil to support the Government of PNG to develop just, safe and secure communities, which allow citizens and businesses to conduct their affairs freely,” Mr Davis said.

He said: “For the past 12 months, under this Memorandum of Understanding we have placed a community safety adviser in Tari to support the Hela Provincial Administration. The continued presence of this adviser will support the Hela Provincial Government’s efforts to further strengthen local justice delivery, improve collaboration with national agencies and assist in making communities safer. The adviser will focus in particular on providing support for Village Courts and reducing and preventing family and sexual violence.”

Mr Barry noted during the signing ceremony that development challenges require ongoing collaboration between the public sector, industry and civil society. “We are pleased to continue our support for this important program, and commend both the PNG and Australian governments for their vision and efforts to promote positive development outcomes in Hela province. ExxonMobil PNG remains committed to assisting the government and communities within which we work to develop the country’s human, social and economic capacity.”

The Australian Government supports the Government of Papua New Guinea to strengthen law and justice service delivery through the new Justice Services and Stability for Development program, focusing on four key outcomes including community safety, addressing family and sexual violence, effective legal services, and anti-corruption. This partnership complements other collaborative efforts by the Australian Government and Exxon Mobil in the areas of extractive industries leadership training, education and health scholarships.