Australian Aid to Strengthen Law, Order in Vanuatu

Australian Aid to Strengthen Law and Order in Vanuatu

The Australian Government, through its international aid agency, AusAID, will provide $38 million to strengthen law and order and fight corruption in Vanuatu.

Until recently the people of Vanuatu have had limited access to legal services or victim support. Over the past two years Australia ha s delivered an interim police support program which has refurbished the Southern Command police headquarters in Port Vila, reviewed and refined police administration, policy and procedures and established a Community Legal Clinic.

This new initiative is comprised of $28 million to help the Vanuatu Government reform its police force and $10 million to strengthen the country's justice system over the next five years. R einforcing Vanuatu's cornerstone law enforcement and legal institutions is integral to restoring peace and stability.

With Australia's support, the Vanuatu Government is working to create a professional, accountable and community-oriented police force while enhancing existing crime prevention and victim support services.

This next phase of the Legal Sector Strengthening Program will help increase the efficiency of Vanuatu's courts and support the three public legal offices: the Public Prosecutor's Office, the State Law Office and the Public Solicitor's Office.

These two initiatives will draw on the technical expertise of the Australian Federal Police and the New South Wales Attorney-General's Department in partnership with the Government of Vanuatu. This approach underlines Australia's commitment to drawing on the wider expertise available across government in Australia in support of development in the Pacific.

Australia's total development assistance to Vanuatu (in 2005-2006) is estimated at $34.1 million.

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