Immunity issues for Australian police posted to Papua New Guinea will be considered in a review of plans to deploy more there.
After the prime ministers of both countries met earlier this month the prospect of sending more police to join the 14 advisors there already was raised.
An assessment of the proposal is being conducted and a factor will be immunity from PNG jurisdiction for the Australian officers.
A PNG court ruling in 2005 that this immunity was inconsistent with the constitution led to the collapse of the then Enhanced Co-operation Programme and the withdrawal of 150 police.
Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, says immunity remains an issue but it'll less of a factor this time since these officers won't be working on the front line.
"That is not on the table, and so in that sense it's not quite the same issue but having said that, the review is being done by the end of the year will also look at the immunity's question and see what that means in the context of whatever proposal is ultimately developed."
Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles.
