Visit to Papua New Guinea

I leave Australia today to visit Papua New Guinea. This, my last overseas visit as Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, represents an important opportunity for me to discuss matters of bilateral significance with key Papua New Guinean players, including Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and a number of national Ministers and provincial leaders.

My visit underlines the importance that Australia places on our bilateral relationship with Papua New Guinea. It follows the strong outcomes that we cooperatively achieved at the 19th Australia-Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum in Brisbane earlier this year and, with our regional partners, at the recent 40th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, in Cairns.

In addition to meetings in Port Moresby, I will be travelling to Western Province and Milne Bay to examine first hand Australia’s program of provincial and sub-national level assistance, underlining Australia’s strong commitment to supporting improved governance and service delivery throughout Papua New Guinea. This will include meetings with key provincial leaders critical to effective service delivery in the provinces.

In addition, I will take the opportunity to reiterate Australia’s engagement, in partnership with Papua New Guinea, on its Kokoda initiative. Recently announced Kokoda Track safety measures build on the $14.9 million already committed by Australia under the Joint Understanding on the Kokoda Track and Owen Stanley Ranges signed in 2008.

My visit occurs at a time when our two countries are committed to enhancing their aid relationship through a review of the Australia-Papua New Guinea Treaty on Development Co-operation. I hope to help cement the strong and vital relationships which underpin this arrangement, and which will provide a solid platform for continued effective engagement into the future.

Media inquiries: Mr Kerr's office - 02 6277 4991 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555