Strengthening legal services: New resources for PNG’s Office of the Solicitor General

Today, the Attorney-General met with the Hon Pila Niningi MP, Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, alongside senior leaders from our respective government legal institutions in Port Moresby.

On the eve of PNG’s 50th anniversary of independence, both Attorney-General Rowland and Attorney-General Niningi reflected on the deep friendship and enduring ties between our two nations, including our legal institutions and justice systems.

During the meeting, Attorney-General Rowland formally presented new IT equipment to the Office of the Solicitor General to help modernise legal practice and strengthen service delivery.

These important resources were purchased through the Australia-PNG Law and Justice Partnership (APLJ) and will support lawyers from the Office of the Solicitor General in their role as chief advocates for PNG in courts of law. The new IT equipment complements other Australian Government support to PNG Government lawyers, including legal skills training delivered by experienced lawyers from the Australian Government Solicitor.

Australia is proud to work with PNG to support its law, justice and internal security priorities. This includes providing ‘full-circle’ law and justice support across PNG’s 15 law and justice agencies under the APLJ, our Bilateral Security Agreement and the institutional partnership between the Australian Attorney-General’s Department and the PNG Department of Justice and Attorney General.

Our partnership is guided by a shared commitment to the rule of law, to justice, fairness and security.

Australia and PNG share a deep past and a common future. Our message is clear: Yumi Stap Wantaim – Side by Side, Step by Step. Australia is proud to walk alongside PNG, not just as a neighbour, but as a trusted partner and close friend.

Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General, Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

As PNG celebrates 50 years of independence, it is inspiring to see a thriving justice system, and I’m proud to support its continued growth.

The Albanese Government is pleased to continue investing in the capacity of PNG‘s legal institutions to serve their communities effectively, particularly through today’s exchange of new IT equipment to help modernise legal practice and strengthen service delivery.

By empowering today’s legal professionals with tools and training, together we are building a stronger justice system for the future.