MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
An Australian aid initiative to improve the quality of civilian policing in
Vanuatu was announced today by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus, MP.
Mrs Gallus said an 18-month interim phase worth $2.4 million would undertake
a comprehensive review of the Vanuatu Police Force's role and structure.
While the key objective was to determine direction for a longer term project
to improve the management and operational capabilities of the police service,
the interim phase would also include refurbishment of Vanuatu's police
headquarters in Port Vila.
'Australia has been providing support to Vanuatu in the law, justice and
security sectors through the Defence Cooperation Program since the early 1980s,
and more recently through the Australian Federal Police International Liaison
Officer Network,' Mrs Gallus said.
The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is currently
funding the Vanuatu Legal Sector Strengthening Project aimed at increasing the
capacity of the three public legal offices to provide better services to the
people and Government of Vanuatu.
Mrs Gallus said that under the 2002-2003 Budget, total Australian aid to
Vanuatu had been increased to $22.1 million.
Contacts:
Craig Bildstien (Parliamentary Secretary's office) (02) 6277
4840 or 0407 604437
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 0412 804489