Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

M146

9 December 1995

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Gareth Evans, today announced the appointment of Mr David Irvine as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, succeeding Mr Bill Farmer, who has been High Commissioner since March 1993.

Australia has a broad and deep relationship with Papua New Guinea deriving from the particularly close association of the two countries and peoples over the past eighty years. Some 11,000 Australians now live in Papua New Guinea. Australian direct investment in PNG totals approximately A$2 billion and two way trade currently stands at A$2.1 billion. PNG is by far the largest recipient of Australian development assistance, receiving some A$300 million in budget support and programmed assistance annually.

Papua New Guinea marked the 20th anniversary of its independence in September of this year. Prime Minister Keating attended those celebrations, continuing a tradition of frequent high level visits between the two neighbouring countries.

Mr Irvine is a senior career officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. After working as a journalist in Perth, he joined the then Department of External Affairs in 1970. He has served at Australian missions in Rome, Jakarta (twice), and Beijing. He is currently First Assistant Secretary, North Asia Division.

Mr Irvine was born in Perth in 1947. He gained a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Western Australia. Mr Irvine is expected to take up his appointment in March 1996.

Kavieng, Papua New Guinea