Partners renew commitment of support

THE Australian government, the Hela government and ExxonMobil have renewed a joint commitment of support to help improve community justice and safety for the people of Hela.
Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp, Hela Governor Philip Undialu and ExxonMobil managing director Andrew Barry renewed the commitment this week which saw Australia and ExxonMobil co-funding a community justice adviser in the province.
This arrangement continues a successful collaboration since 2014 with a community justice adviser working closely with the Hela government in Tari.
The arrangement has enabled a series of peace consultations and awareness activities, training of almost 400 village court officials and land mediators, formation of the Hela law and justice committee, the forthcoming construction of the Tari family and sexual violence unit and development the Hela peace management strategy.
Undialu said his administration stood committed to supporting the work the partnership sought to deliver for a just, safe and secure society for Hela. “With the support of the Australian government and ExxonMobil, we can move forward and achieve our development priorities,” he said.