Development assistance in Papua New Guinea
Australia's partnership with Papua New Guinea in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville supports peace, stability and economic growth. As a signatory witness to the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement, Australia has supported Papua New Guinea and Autonomous Bougainville governments to build capable institutions, increase economic growth and build stronger communities.
Australia's development assistance to Bougainville of approximately AUD50 million annually is being delivered through:
- The Bougainville Partnership, which is a program specifically designed to meet the needs of Bougainville. The Bougainville Partnership includes specific initiatives supporting capable institutions, economic development and stronger communities (approx AUD20 million annually)
- National sector programs in health, education, transport and infrastructure, law and justice, and gender (approx AUD30 million annually).
Building capable institutions
Australia is providing comprehensive advisory support to effectively implement Bougainville's autonomy arrangements. This assistance strengthens core functions of government including public sector management, human resources and recruitment, electoral systems, legislative drafting and land management and administration. Australia also provides support to communications and media, government infrastructure, leadership training for senior Bougainville public servants and ministers, and to facilitate the drawdown of powers under the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Contributing to economic growth
Australia's assistance is improving primary industry production, the investment climate, business environment and trade links. Australia supports a grants program which assists cocoa farmers and industry to increase production. In addition, Australia works closely with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the Government of PNG to support and boost Bougainville’s participation in Australia’s labour mobility programs.
Supporting stronger communities
The Bougainville Partnership also supports stronger communities including through small grants for community-based infrastructure and economic programs, and training to encourage the participation of Bougainvillean youth in social and economic development.
Gender, youth and disability are cross-cutting priorities under the Bougainville Partnership. Australia supports local partners to improve equality and promote social inclusion and development opportunities, including through:
- supporting Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation to reduce family and sexual violence by providing crisis services, supporting women human rights defenders and working with male advocates
- training women leaders, especially at the community government level, to help them demonstrate their capacity to lead
- helping implement the Bougainville Partnership Youth Initiative partnership
- supporting the development of the Bougainville Youth Federation
- providing youth with livelihoods and functional literacy training, and seeking opportunities for them to be involved in social and civic affairs
- helping implement the Bougainville Disability Policy, in conjunction with the Department of Community Development and the Bougainville Disabled People’s Organisation (BDPO)
- helping provide advocacy for inclusion of BDPO in consultative mechanisms for development.
Health
Australia assists the ABG Department of Health to implement programs and reforms with a focus on primary and rural health. This includes training health workers in maternal and child health, and prevention and control of communicable diseases, as well as training government officials in health services planning and administration.
Australia is also providing AUD28 million to support the construction of a new district hospital in Buin in South Bougainville Region.
Education
Australia supports the PNG Department of Education and the ABG Department of Education to increase access and quality of education for children, supporting quality elementary education, leadership skills for secondary students, scaling up formal TVET skills in priority growth sectors and providing scholarships for Bougainvilleans to study in PNG and Australia. We are also working with schools to provide WASH training and facilities.
Transport and infrastructure
An efficient transport network is a key enabler of economic growth and social services. Australian assistance to the transport sector in Bougainville is an extension of the Papua New Guinea national program, tailored to Bougainville's specific needs in consultation with the PNG and Autonomous Bougainville governments. Australian investments in Bougainville's roads focus on road maintenance, local employment and sealing of roads along important economic corridors.
Australia is also supporting electrification projects in Buka and Arawa by replacing inefficient and expensive diesel generators and building solar farms and working closely with the ABG Department of Technical Services to support the construction of two bridges in South Bougainville.
Law and justice
Australia is supporting law and justice services including work to deliver more efficient and inclusive justice services, addressing family and sexual violence and strengthening key justice mechanisms including village courts, land mediation, police and corrections. We also provide support for Red Cross Activities in Bougainville, including support to families of missing people from the Crisis era, and support for construction of the new Bougainville Regional Justice Centre.