The Office of the National Executive Council (ONEC) has taken a major step towards strengthening government records management with the procurement of a robotic scanning machine to digitise Cabinet and National Executive Council (NEC) documents dating back to 1975.
The contract was formally signed on Friday, 23 January 2026, between the Department of Prime Minister and Newhurst Management Pty Ltd, an Australian company, following full compliance with national procurement requirements.
The new robotic scanner will be used to digitise thousands of NEC and Cabinet records, many of which are fragile, irreplaceable and at risk of deterioration due to age. Unlike conventional scanners, the robotic system is specifically designed to handle delicate documents without causing damage, while producing high-quality digital images.
Once digitised, the records will be securely preserved in digital format, reducing the risk of loss and improving long-term accessibility for government operations and decision-making.
Acting Secretary of the National Executive Council, Mr Frank Aisi, said the investment was a critical part of ONEC’s ongoing transformation and digitisation programme.
“This investment is both timely and necessary. As we move towards automation, data analytics and dashboard-based reporting, we must first ensure our data is accurate and reliable. Without digitised records, meaningful automation and informed decision-making are not possible,” Mr Aisi said.
He said the procurement followed the establishment of ONEC as a distinct administrative office in 2024 and forms part of broader efforts to modernise its operations and address the backlog of historical records.
A market assessment was conducted to identify a solution capable of handling aged and sensitive documents, with Newhurst Management Pty Ltd selected as the preferred supplier.
The procurement reflects the Government’s commitment to good governance, improved efficiency and the preservation of Papua New Guinea’s most important national records.