Thirty emerging leaders from across Papua New Guinea’s public service have begun an intensive Australia Awards Short Course in Public Policy, designed to strengthen governance capability and support PNG’s long term reform priorities.
Delivered by the University of Queensland in partnership with the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG), the program focuses on practical skills in public service reform, decentralisation, anticorruption and effective policy delivery. Over 18 months, participants will complete training in PNG and Australia to build skills to drive change within their agencies.
The scholars met with Australian High Commission’s Minister-Counsellor Madeleine Moss recently to reflect on their progress since the course began in January.
Minister-Counsellor Moss commended their commitment and highlighted the shared commitment under the PNG-Australia Partnership to strengthening the capability of the public service.
“Strong institutions are essential to delivering Papua New Guinea’s long-term aspirations, and that’s why the PNG-Australia Partnership through Australia Awards continues to invest in the people who make government work. We want public servants to build skills and collaborate across agencies, and of course, continue to forge people to people links between public sector experts from both our countries,” she said.
One of the scholars, Renagi Tioti, said the course is already shifting their approach to leadership. “A key insight for me was understanding the purpose and value of oversight committees. I used to be skeptical and saw them as unnecessary layers that slowed things down. After completing the course, I now see that these committees play an essential safeguarding role, checking, protecting, and validating our work before it goes to the Secretary for endorsement.”
The Public Policy Short Course is one of over thirty Australia Awards Short Courses being delivered between 2026 and 2027, to strengthen PNG’s next generation of leaders.
For more information about short courses: https://www.australiaawardspng.org/opportunities/short-courses
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Australian High Commission’s Minister-Counsellor Madeleine Moss (front row, centre), with scholars at the Public Policy Governance short course.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100