The Executive Director of the National Institute of Public Affairs told ABC News that he doubts the removal of foreign consultants will impact too much on relations between Papua New Guinea and Australia. Paul Barker was responding to the Governments' removal of 15 foreign advisers working in government departments. The ABC reports, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the 15 adviser positions in the Departments of Finance, Transport, Treasury and Justice ended on December 31st. But DFAT, says another 18 Australian public servants remain in their advisory positions, and a few new liaison officer roles are being established to maintain relationships between PNG and Australian departments. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill first revealed the plan for the ban on foreign workers in Parliament last July, saying the engagement of the consultants made nationals lazy. Paul Barker told the ABC's Pacific Beat program, this comes at a time some major programs are winding down to end in mid-2016, leading to a new governance facility that would merge several programs together. Mr Barker says there's some merit in what the PNG government is trying to achieve but a number of government institutions still need technical assistance. ABC News
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