Wednesday 7 December 2022
The Pangu-led government has focused on five key priority areas when passing the 2023 National Budget last week.
The first is law and order sector which receives the largest increase in PNG’s funding history of K401 million.
Minister for Treasury, Ian Ling-Stuckey says the law-and-order sector has been a particular priority for 2023, with a major increase in funding of 28.9 per cent or K401.0 million.
“This has been directed at supporting strong police recruitment and improved goods and services,” he explains.
The government has committed on-going funding to the police to continue this level of recruitment.
“We will lift the size of the police force from 5,000 in 2022 to over 7,000 by 2026.
Meanwhile, the Royal PNG Constabulary in on a recruitment drive for a further 500 recruits and 60 extra officer positions.
Mr Ling-Stuckey added, the judiciary is also a major beneficiary of this program, with a 50.0 per cent increase in 2023 and a further 50.0 per cent increase planned in 2024.
There has been an increase in funding for the judiciary from K154 million in 2022, to K232 million in 2023, with a further increase of K310 million in 2024.
Mr Ling-Stuckey said the Marape-Rosso government has further highlighted increases for Magistrates, Public Prosecutor, Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the Ombudsman Commission, and the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission.
“The Marape-Rosso, implementing its vision, for a better and safe PNG,”.