Party aims to improve force

THE People’s Party’s new agenda after next year’s national elections is to seek Australia’s help to restore and improve the police force.
The party’s founding parliamentary leader and Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas said this during its fifth national convention in Jiwaka on Thursday and Friday.
Sir Peter said 500-600 police personnel from Australia would be asked to help out with law and order in Papua New Guinea.
He said currently, police officers could not perform their duties because most feared revenge, were bribed and others were ready to do favours in return for little rewards.
However, it was becoming a serious and a growing concern, he said.
Sir Peter said the police force in the country needed adjustment to increase their knowledge and skills.
“This is the agenda People’s Party will raise in parliament after the 2022 election,” he said.
Sir Peter said corruption and law and order were two major factors that were affecting the growth of the country. “By looking at it, this party will move into parliament and join the government to raise this concern so Australia can come on board to develop the police force here,” he said.
“In order to push this agenda through, People’s Party will need the numbers to make this become a reality.”