Australia welcomes outcomes of PNG adviser review
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has welcomed the completion of a comprehensive review of advisers which will lead to a more effective Australian aid program in Papua New Guinea. The PNG review is part of an overall Australian aid program adviser review announced in the May Budget Statement. 'The Australian Government is committed to strengthening the aid program and ensuring value-for-money across all the development assistance programs,' said Mr Rudd. Mr Rudd discussed the PNG adviser review report with his counterpart, PNG Foreign Minister Sam Abal this week. Both agreed the review had been a valuable exercise to ensure a more targeted allocation of advisers and a reduction in the level of advisory support. The finalisation of the review was an outcome of the July 2010 Australia - PNG Ministerial Meeting. The jointly conducted PNG adviser review examined the role of each adviser position to ensure that its allocation was an effective response to meeting agreed development needs a