Transcript
GARY BAKI: I've invited them to come inside. I've asked them to demonstrate their skills. I asked them to provide to me what they can offer to the RPNGC (Royal PNG Constabulary) in terms of their support, their resource, their manpower, and what they can do to assist the RPNGC if and when we agree to fully engage them, in which case then it's the subject of government approval where I would go to government and advise them that I am satisfied with the performance of this company that we have engaged to assist in the development of our additional capability.
JOHNNY BLADES: So it's not set in concrete yet, you're just looking at it?
GB: No, no, no it's not.
JB: So you're looking at what they can offer?
GB: What they can provide. And Johnny, let me be frank. You see, the PNG Defence Force is very fortunate because it's got Australian defence assistance that they benefit so well with it. And the RPNGC has got a partnership programme that we currently have on the ground. That programme has assisted the RPNGC for us to identify all our gaps in preparing ourselves for APEC. So there was a comprehensive report being done, to the commissioner for the Australian Federal Police advising them on what AFP can do and what AFP cannot do. Now there are four areas of support in which the AFP will not assist us. One is in technology; two, cyber crime; three, intelligence; and four, high-level technical resolutions on a serious, armed incident. Alright so we have to look outside the box. If Australia cannot give it to me, I must look outside of the box to make sure that the RPNGC (Royal PNG Constabulary) prepares itself on that matter.
JB: I know that PNG had already been discussing help with the USA in terms of APEC security, but I thought that was through their own military. There is some sort of partnership?
GB: No. There is no firm commitment on any assistance from any other. It's only Australia and New Zealand taking a lead in that. There is no firm arrangement. Yes we will look outside and ask people but it will take time...
JB: So Australia and New Zealand don't offer help with the high-level tactical, paramilitary stuff for APEC?
GB: They can't. Not to the RPNGC. To the Defence Force, yes.
JB: In the meantime, people are a little bit worried about whether these people (in the firm), if they're on the streets of Moresby, whether they have arresting powers and so on. They were reportedly involved in a drug raid.
GB: They are appointed as special constables under the RPNGC, they have every power but haven't exercised those powers simply because they observe some of the activities and some of the behaviours of my men on the ground. This constabulary is faced with so much accusation and allegations of police brutality. And that's what they're telling us, helping us to correct some of those behaviours too. They've actually assisted a lot on the observation, both day and night. The National Security Advisory has asked me to brief them. I have now briefed them. I am now formalising a National Security Advisory Committee submission on the engagement.
JB: If you were to go ahead with this partnership would it be funded out of the APEC funding or the police budget?
GB: It would come off the support funding that will be given to the police.
JB: This is something that would be decided on after the elections, I suppose?
GB: Yes, right now the focus is on elections.
JB: So at this stage you're just still looking at what they have to offer, nothing has been signed off yet?
GB: No, Johnny, nothing has been signed off, but in so far as just having them exposed to within the organisations from February, I am satisfied with some of the things I believe they could help us with."
JB: You think they've got a good background? One of the principals is really just a missionary, isn't he?
GB: Yes he's a missionary. But he's got, they've got a team of former law enforcement officers and former officers within the US army.
JB: You're looking for a firm that can help with something that Australian Federal Police or the New Zealand or US police forces can't provide at this stage?
GB: Johnny, I've gone to this extent. I was told in the first instance, this is where I'd get it from. I'm also looking at other countries. If this exercise does not come through, I will go to Indonesia and I will ask Indonesian police to help me. Or I can even go to the Korean police and ask them to help me. Because these are two police forces which I am having discussions with, on the side, regarding this matter.
Following this interview, the chairman of the National Security Advisory Committee, Isaac Lupari, said in a statement that the committee were well aware of the firm's presence and that the arrangement was for them to carry out assessments and deliver demonstrations.
Mr Lupari said the group had completed their task and would now be leaving of their own accord.
