A report has delivered a highly critical assessment of official Australian aid spending in the lead up to last year's Papua New Guinea elections.
Our PNG correspondent Shane McLeod says AusAid's review of its support for PNG's Electoral Commission has found the $A7 million ($US4.1 million) project was poorly planned and unrealistic in its aims.
The 2002 elections were described as the worst in PNG's history, with violence, corruption and interference prominent.
AusAid's project review has identified problems in the design of the project, which it says failed to pay heed to the political, social and cultural context of the elections.
The report says while unrealistic expectations may have been created, in other areas Australian involvement may have been detrimental.
The review has recommended the electoral support project be suspended and redesigned to provide broader support for the electoral system, rather than just the Electoral Commission.
19/02/2003 01:46:23 | ABC Radio Australia News
|
Post Courier