20 Apr 2010

PNG's Abal wants AusAID consultants' costs cut

3:06 pm on 20 April 2010

Papua New Guinea's foreign minister, Sam Abal, says he wants an overhaul of Australia's annual aid to PNG because he says too much of the 380 million US dollar allocation is wasted on costly consultants.

AusAID figures show 46 per cent of all Australian aid in PNG goes to advisers, contractors or experts providing technical assistance for capacity building.

The news agency AAP reported that many AusAID employees get paid more than Australia's prime minister, Kevin Rudd, with a law and justice adviser receiving a million US dollars for a two-year job in Port Moresby.

Mr Abal says the government feels that the large portion of aid being used for consultants can not be allowed to continue.

He says he wants aid effectiveness discussed at the joint Australia PNG ministers meeting scheduled for later this year.