K480mil security deal

THE Australian government has committed A$200 million (K486 million) in support of Papua New Guinea’s national security priorities.
This was revealed after Prime Minister James Marape and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a security deal in Canberra yesterday.
The deal covers defence, policing, border and maritime security, and also non-traditional areas of cyber security, climate change, gender-based violence and critical infrastructure.
Additionally, it extends support to the judiciary, climate changes, cyber security, Correctional Services, addresses gender-based violence and entails the establishment of a police recruit and investigation training centre.
Expressing gratitude for the generous support, Marape highlighted the multifaceted impact the A$200 million (about K489 million) package would have on enhancing security in the region.
“This is a significant milestone in relationships between our two countries since 1975 when Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia,” he said.
Marape on Tuesday said under this new security deal, Australian police officers will work throughout PNG in various senior capacities under the command and control of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) and the Police Commissioner.
“The Australian police would be coming and working under the RPNGC. We are looking at expansion of the Bomana Training Academy that will include it possibly becoming a regional police training facility, stepping up in the areas of not just general everyday duty police but police leadership.”
Albanese since taking office as prime minister, his Government has boosted support for Papua New Guinea’s economic ambitions in infrastructure, health, education and labour mobility.
“Today, we have fulfilled our commitment to elevate our partnership by signing a legally binding bilateral security agreement. This is a comprehensive and a historic agreement. It will make it easier for Australia to help PNG address its internal security needs and for Australia and Papua New Guinea to support each other’s security and the region’s stability,” Albanese said.
He added that: “This security agreement is a natural progression in our security partnership. It builds on our comprehensive strategic and economic partnership. It reinforces our mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. This is a legally binding agreement. The approach, as Prime Minister Marape has said, came from Papua New Guinea and we worked it through in a way that we both got exactly what we wanted from this process.”
Justin Tkatchenko, the Minister assisting the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, began negotiations with Australia on the deal last year.
This new security deal comes after PNG signed a security deal with the United States in Port Moresby in May.
PNG has been plagued by law and order issues in the country such as killings. Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas had made repeated calls to the Government to seek Australian police presence in PNG to address law and order issues.