PNG cuts number of Australian advisers

More than a dozen Australian public servants working as foreign advisers to the Papua New Guinea government have been let go.

A total of 15 positions in the departments of finance, transport, treasury, justice and attorney-general ended on December 31 - almost half of the 33 Commonwealth workers deployed in advisory roles under the Strongim Gavman Program.

A small number of new liaison officer roles are being established under new arrangements to maintain relationships between PNG and Australian government departments, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told AAP on Tuesday.