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Program Description The program seeks to support GoF endeavours to maintain law and order and uphold the rule of law effectively and efficiently. It takes a holistic, integrated view of the justice system, rather than viewing the individual agencies as separate, loosely related operations. Program benefits are targeted at promoting equitable access to justice sector services, and protection of the basic human rights of those who enter the justice system. The project is based on a philosophy that primary responsibility for achieving program objectives rests with GoF, with support provided by Australian funded resources. The primary responsibility of the program team is to provide relevant and effective support to counterparts and stakeholders, both government and civil, which helps to build local capacity and skills. Whilst the program is a joint initiative of the GoF and GOA, the intention of the program is to work in partnership with the broader community, civil society groups and other donors, through the implementing agencies. The program links directly to key GoF policy objectives, particularly the GoF Strategic Development Plan (SDP) and its Law and Justice Strategy. Finally, the PDF provides a strategic framework for the delivery of this program, whilst flexibility will be maintained to respond to emerging needs in a rapidly changing environment, through annual reviews and planning processes that culminate in the development of an AP. This AP therefore constitutes the first of a series of annual plans that will sequentially work towards the achievement of the overall program goals and objectives. Program Goal 'To maintain law and order and uphold the rule of law effectively and efficiently'.
The Australia / Fiji Law and Justice Sector Program, which commenced with a design phase in June 2003, involves an initial 3 years and 8 months of Australian assistance to the justice sector of Fiji. At the discretion of AusAID an option exists to offer the GoF a program extension of a further 2 years. The Program Design Team (PDT) was deployed to Fiji in early June 2003, the members of which included the Project Director, Australian Team Leader and Technical Advisers for Phase 1. The PDT worked in close collaboration with Counterparts and Stakeholders from that time.
This AP sees the commencement of the incremental steps necessary to empower and engage community groups to participate in the operations of the justice sector, with particular emphasis on crime prevention, community safety, community awareness and access to justice. The program will engage with the key implementing agencies at two levels, as articulated in the PDF. For the life of this AP the primary point of engagement will be with participating agencies in Suva and some provincial centres, although response to demand where delivery capacity exists will not be rejected. In subsequent years, subject to resource availability, the span of the program will be broadened to include other provincial areas and outlying islands. The main implementing agencies (as opposed to stakeholder agencies) are: Office of the Attorney-General
Ministry of Home Affairs
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation
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