With the assistance of the State Solicitor, the Commanding Officer of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, Major General Mark Goina has advised that the review into the Defence Act of 1974 is underway and the first draft will soon to be circulated internally before being put out for wider consultation. “That’s one key document that we’ve being trying to bring to current. The Act was drafted well before independence.” He states that with the current plans they have for Force 2030 and beyond to Defence 2050, the structures and systems have to change. The General mentioned that this document was one of two documents that the force has been reviewing to make proper amendments to ensure that it fits the standard and remains conducive to suit the current issues and circumstances the force is faced with. Moving concurrently with the review of the Defence Act of 1974, the review and draft of the Defence White Paper, according to Major-Gen Goina is nearing its completion. The General stated that by the middle of this year, the paper should be completed and delivered. With that, Maj-Gen Goina mentioned that they will be focussing aspects such as the Period of Service Regulations and many others, noting that the public service since independence and a stringent long term plan will be needed to focus on the improvement of the PNGDF. Another document that they are looking to support key regulations found in the Defence Act, the Manual of Personal Administration. This policy administrates how the force goes about doing business in terms of pay, leave, use of aircraft/vehicles and how they care for their families, this will all be reviewed including other books of reference that are used to guide serviceman and women in military duties. “Whether operations exercises, trainings or international dialogue with our partners, that curtails how we as military engage in these areas.” The General has expressed that he hopes all is completed this year.