Private Security in Papua New Guinea – A Networked Approach

This paper is authored by two scholars who have made the study of Papua New Guinea (PNG) their life’s work. They follow in the tradition of a deep commitment to learning about the Pacific, and in particular PNG, that has been fostered by the Australian National University (ANU) since its inception. Having access to education and research on the Pacific Islands at the ANU benefits both Australian government policymakers and their counterparts in governments throughout the region. The strong regional engagement led by generations of regional scholars who have passed through the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, the Crawford School of Public Policy and various predecessors underwrites our strong sense of regional community.

Private Security in Papua New Guinea – A Networked Approach makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of a significant emerging policy issue. The private security industry has grown exponentially around the world in recent decades. In dealing with private security all states face issues of regulation, coordination with police forces, human resources, standard setting and relationships within the broader community.

As this paper points out, in PNG it is not a matter of seeing the private sector as a discrete source of security services. There is a significant degree of complementarity between public, private and community security domains. Without a healthy, well structured private security sector, PNG (and for that matter, Australia) would face significantly worse problems of insecurity than is currently the case. When a country’s security requirements are unable to be supported by the police force, it is inevitable that the private sector will fill the security gap.

This paper provides an evidence-based perspective to inform policymakers’ approach to the private security industry in PNG. It identifies the benefits provided by the industry and discusses the very real challenges that a burgeoning private security industry represents to the people of PNG. It provides a balanced introduction to a complex issue which should inform the development of this industry.

From the perspective of the Australian Civil-Military Centre, public-private partnerships are an inextricable part of the integrated approach to the provision of regional security. We need to understand what works and what does not. We also need a clear appreciation of what is appropriate and of international best practice. While this is an academic paper and in no way represents any government position, we hope that the research contained in this work will inform the provision of security in PNG and in other countries that are contemplating this model of public-private partnerships. And we wish our PNG colleagues the very best as they deal with the challenges of delivering security in a complex and constantly changing society.

Dr Alan Ryan
Executive Director
Australian Civil-Military Centre