Ms. Elizabeth Le Bas, Minister-Counsellor for Political and Security at the Australian High Commission, paid a courtesy visit to Honourable Justice John Carey, Judge of the National and Supreme Courts and Judge Administrator and Executive Director of the Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE). She was accompanied by Mr Ashish Nagesh, Second Secretary Australian High Commission, Mr Nicholas Wilson, Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department representative, and Ms Maristella Baras, Program Manager, Australian High Commission.
The visit reaffirmed the strong and enduring partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia and their shared commitment to strengthening judicial institutions, promoting excellence in judicial education, and supporting an effective, accessible, and resilient justice system through the Australia-Papua New Guinea Law and Justice Partnership (APLJ).
Discussions focused on the implementation and progress of the APLJ, PNGCJE’s strategic priorities, and preparations for the forthcoming APLJ Mid-Term Review. The parties reflected on achievements delivered through the partnership and explored opportunities to further strengthen judicial education, leadership development, court reform initiatives, and capacity-building programs for judicial officers, court staff, court registrars, and stakeholders across the broader law and justice sector.
The meeting also reaffirmed Australia’s continued support for judicial development and reform in Papua New Guinea. During discussions, Ms Le Bas acknowledged the significant contribution of the PNGCJE under the leadership of the Chief Justice who also serves as its Chairman, Chief Justice Sir Gibuma Gibbs Salika, GCL KBE CSM OBE in strengthening judicial capability, advancing court excellence initiatives, and supporting the effective administration of justice throughout the country. Australia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these efforts through the APLJ.
Justice Carey outlined PNGCJE’s ongoing efforts to advance judicial education, professional development, and institutional excellence across Papua New Guinea’s courts. He emphasised the importance of continued collaboration to ensure training and competency building initiatives remain responsive to the evolving needs of the judiciary and the communities it serves.
A key agenda item was the upcoming APLJ Mid-Term Review, which will assess the progress and effectiveness of partnership initiatives and identify opportunities to enhance future cooperation and support between Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Following the meeting, Justice Carey hosted Ms Le Bas and her delegation on a tour of the PNGCJE facilities, where they met the Management and staff and received briefings on the Centre’s operations, judicial education programmes, professional development activities, court excellence initiatives, and ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity across the judiciary.
Justice Carey thanked the Australian Government and the Australian High Commission for their continued support of PNGCJE and the broader law and justice sector. He reaffirmed PNGCJE’s commitment to excellence in judicial education, leadership development, court reform, and initiatives that enhance public confidence in the administration of justice.
The visit underscored the shared commitment of Papua New Guinea and Australia to promoting an independent, capable, and resilient justice system while further strengthening cooperation in support of judicial excellence and the rule of law throughout Papua New Guinea.
(L-R) Ms Maristella Baras, Ms Elizabeth Le Bas, Justice John Carey, Mr Ashish Nagesh, and Mr Nicholas Wilson during their visit to Justice John Carey’s Chambers.