PRIORITIES AND PROGRAMS
Future consultation and planning will take place between provinces and the Department of Attorney General about the transfer of certain statutory functions through an intensive review of specific legislations that create certain institutions and organizations.
Of immediate concern to such a review are Village Courts, Probation Services, Solicitor General, Provincial Tribunals, Public Curator, and National Lands Commission, with a view of identifying aspects of the enabling Act that needs legislative changes to promote effective administration of the services at provincial level. The implications of these changes will need to be identified under the review process and implementation planned and cost for budgetary support under the Public Investment project (PIP) and the annual Development Grants to the Provinces.
The role and responsibilities of delivering national or constitutional functions at Provincial and Local Governments' levels need to be assessed towards a cost-sharing arrangement that enhances delivery of legal advises across all levels of government and deliver effectively the justices services to all citizens from the entire spectrum of society.
There is great need to have the presence of State Solicitor's Office in the provinces to provide speedy advice on capital works, implementation of major projects and offering legal advice to the Provincial Governments.
Cost-Sharing of operational costs for the Offices of Public Solicitor and Public Prosecutor should be reviewed as a matter of administrative and social concern rather than the separation of constitutional independence. The Department of Justice and Attorney General and the Provincial Administrations will need to consult each other with all aspects of planning the establishment of an effective and efficient justice service in the new millennium.
Current level of funding from various provinces to Village Courts, Probation service and Solicitor General's Office in the Western Highlands provincial capital of Mt. Hagen are positive indications of the provinces' willingness to resource transferred functions and undertake cost-sharing arrangements that directly benefit Provincial and Local Level Governments. However, the component funding from the National Government through the Departments of Treasury and National Planning & Rural Development needs to be very transparent. The estimated cost of activities of the Department in the province will be the subject of further consultation between the Provincial Administration, their Coordinator (Justice) and Secretary & Attorney General.
As for future activities and programs, the Department of Justice & Attorney General will among other things:
- Coordinate all departmental Plans, Policies and Projects to identify shortcomings of each activity and ensure they are successfully implemented.
- Continue to monitor all activities under the Corporate Plan.
- In collaboration with other Law and Justice agencies continue the implementation of the Law and Justice Policy.
- Produce a report of the Community Justice Center (CJC) to the Secretary and Attorney General and Department of National Planning & Rural Development.
- Collaborate with Provincial and District Peace and Good Order Committees and CJC to identify, establish and coordinate Law and Order initiatives.
- Develop a forward Plan to establish further CJC centers in Kokopo, Lae, Vanimo, NCD and Lihir and prepare budget submission for continued funding of the CJC.
- Preparation and coordination of the Department's Annual Report.
- Coordination of regular Customer Satisfaction Survey of both internal and external customers to improve customer service of the department.
PERFORMANCE/ACHIEVEMENTS
The current activities being implemented are outlined in the department's Annual Plan 2002-2005 and are consistent with the outputs of the Corporate Plan. Hence the following;
- Manage and Co-ordinate the development of the Department of Justice & Attorney General's Annual Plans and the Corporate Plan. The Corporate Plan 2002-5 has already been developed with the assistance of the Attorney General Institutional Strengthening Project (AGDISP). However, the Annual Plan is revised every year to reflect the changing needs of the department, but in conformity with the Corporate Plan. This year's annual Plan has already been done in May by conducting several meetings of the branches and offices of the department. The Plan is currently in draft and will be finalized in December when the budget appropriation of the department is known.
- Monitor the implementation of the Annual Plan in ensuring whether expected outputs are achieved or not. Monitoring of the implementation of Annual Plan by Branches/offices is an on going process within the department. It is done by their bimonthly reporting to CACC, liaison with the branches/offices and the annual meetings.
- Coordination of Access to Laws Project, Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Community Justice Center Pilot Projects and other departmental activities. This is an ongoing process where constant liaison is maintained between all the stakeholders.
- Monitor the implementation of the Community Justice Center Pilot Projects in the Wau/Bulolo, Morobe Province and Kainantu Districts in Eastern Highlands Province. The implementation of this pilot project has already taken place.
- This project has two components that is the Capital Works component aimed at refurbishing the Provincial offices of the department to enable them to be more effective and efficient in the delivery of services. The second component is the Community Justice Center concept aimed at integrating the traditional and social dispute resolution mechanisms at the district and community level. A series of consultative meetings in the two pilot project areas have already taken place. Funds for Kainantu are pending the signing of the MOU between the Department and the Eastern Highlands Provincial Administration. It is worth noting that the Provincial, District and the local community have wholly supported the concept.
- In collaboration with the other Law and Justice agencies co-ordinate the activities consistent with the Law and Justice Policy and Plan of Action. The implementation of this Policy has brought all the Law and Justice agencies together.
- Initiatives currently undertaken by the sector include the Community Justice Center, the community policing, and the formulation of the National Rehabilitation Policy. The Policy, Planning & Monitoring Branch represents the department in a series of meetings, workshops and conferences and moreover, on the Law and Justice Working Group.
- Co-ordinate the department's bimonthly reports to Central Agency Coordinating Committee (CACC). This is an ongoing process of the Department in compiling this report.
- Monitor and evaluate aid donor and GoPNG funded Projects in close consultation with appropriate Branches and external agencies
]