The Australian Federal Police could be back in Papua New Guinea in large numbers next year under a new programme to help PNG tackle its law and order problems.
Four years ago, the Enhanced Co-operation Programme, under which hundreds of AFP officers were deployed to PNG, fell over after a legal challenge centring on issues of immunity.
Now, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that the AFP is to propose the deployment to PNG of 150 police over four years.
The paper says this time the AFP will emphasise strengthening the institutional resilience of the Royal PNG Constabulary, focusing on human resources, finances, policy making, the training infrastructure and internal disciplinary systems.
It says significant numbers of Australian police would go into advisory roles rather than the in line positions they filled under the Enhanced Co-operation Programme.
The paper reports that the AFP recognises the Enhanced Co-operation Program failed because it did not consult enough with PNG police before the deployment.
It says because of a lack of buy-in there was resentment toward the Australian presence.
