Australia steps up electoral aid

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
AUSTRALIA is helping Papua New Guinea hold a successful general election and has stepped up help to boost preparations for the June 23 polling.
A contract between the PNG Defence Force and Australia was signed last Friday in Port Moresby to re-establish an effective helicopter capability within the PNGDF’s air transport wing.
Under the contract, Australia will give three aircraft for transportation of election personnel, ballot boxes, election materials and other security exercises during the election period.
The contract supports a two-year military mission exercise with the PNGDF.
Australian High Commissioner Ian Kemish said on Monday his country was making a contribution at the request of the PNG government.
The assistance is part of an integrated package of Australian support channelled through three strategic areas: AusAID, Australian Defence Force and police networking.
“The PNG government identified specific areas where Australian specialist assistance could make a valuable contribution to conducting the 2012 election,” Kemish said.
“The Australian government has carefully assessed how we can add value to the PNG Electoral Commission’s work and we are pleased to play a supporting role.”
Australian head of defence Col Mark Sheppard said final planning and scoping was in progress between Australia and the electoral commission to identify strategic ways to best use the aircraft during the election.
The Australian Federal Police have helped the Royal PNG Constabulary rollout a national communications network worth K5.6 million to boost its capacity to manage operations during the election.
Kemish said the assistance had by far proven worthwhile with valuable contributions such as data entry and processing of electoral rolls at the commission.
“This approach is a show of friendship between the two countries and Australia recognises and respects the responsibilities of PNG,” he said.