Remote communities in South and Central Bougainville now have greater access to legal support services following the official opening of a branch of the Public Solicitor’s Office in Arawa on 2 October 2015. The opening was attended by senior ministers of the Autonomous Bougainville Government including the Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Justice, Mr. Willie Masiu, the Minister for Department of Primary Industries, Mr. Nicholas Daku. Also attending were other legal sector leaders including Justice Sir Kina Bona, Bougainville’s Resident Judge; the PNG Public Solicitor, Mr. Jim Wala Tamate; the Secretary for Police, Corrective Services and Justice, Mr. Kearnneth Nanei; and Australian High Commission First Secretary, Mr. Peter Fennell. Speaking at the opening, Public Solicitor Mr. Wala Tamate said: “The Public Solicitor’s Office is committed to providing access to justice to the people of Central and South Bougainville. The reopening of the Public Solicitor’s Office in Arawa is an essential step in this process and will enable greater collaboration with other locally-based justice agencies, and national agencies, to ensure the delivery of impartial and independent justice. We would also encourage support from our political and community leaders to make our existence a long term goal so that our people can benefit from these legal and justice services.” The Public Solicitor’s Office provides independent, accessible and quality legal information, advice and representation for both criminal and civil matters. These free services are particularly important for disadvantaged people and minority groups, including women affected by family and sexual violence, those living in remote communities and those unable to access to other legal services. The return of these services to Arawa will support Central Bougainville and communities as far as Buin in South Bougainville, which now has a resident Magistrate, a new courthouse and additional police housing also funded by the Australian Government. Speaking on behalf of the Australian Government, First Secretary Peter Fennell said: “The shared objective of the Governments of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea and Australia is to restore a vital service that promotes peace, justice and security in Bougainville. “The return of the Public Solicitor’s Office to Arawa will support the people of Central and South Bougainville by providing fair and impartial legal advice and representation.“ The Australian Government, through the PNG-Australia Law and Justice Partnership – Transition Program (PALJP-TP) invested PGK 1 million funding the new Public Solicitor’s Office and staff accommodation.
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