Improving community safety in Bougainville

Today I opened an Australian Government-supported police barracks in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

The new barracks will assist the Bougainville Police Service to reach its goal of 100 more police officers on patrol by 2016.

The male and female barracks will provide accommodation for 40 Bougainvilleans to undertake pre-recruit training at the Police Training Centre in Buka next year.

The contribution is part of Australia's broader law and justice investment in Bougainville that has included renovations and improvements to this training centre, building housing and courts, training police and lawyers, and supporting local dispute resolution.

A growing and well-trained Bougainville Police Service is critical for providing the security and order that underpins peace, democracy and development for Bougainville.

I am pleased that 16 women have been selected by their communities to undertake pre-recruit training next year to support the Autonomous Region's peace and development. If successful in their course, these trainees will be eligible to join the police as recruits.