Visit to Papua New Guinea
Media release
7 July 2010
I will visit Papua New Guinea on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 July, accompanied by Assistant Treasurer Nick Sherry and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Bob McMullan.
We will travel to Alotau in Milne Bay Province, where we will meet a PNG Ministerial delegation led by the Hon Samuel Abal, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration.
The visit, my second to PNG, will provide another important opportunity to discuss a range of issues that reflect the historical depth and breadth of our friendship and bilateral relationship.
Our discussions in Alotau follow on from the positive and productive meeting on the PNG Liquefied Natural Gas Project that the Hon Arthur Somare, PNG Minister for Public Enterprises, and I co-chaired in Melbourne on 1 July. Australia is ready to provide further support and assistance to PNG to help realise the enormous economic and social potential of this project to PNG.
In Alotau we will discuss our response to the Development Cooperation Treaty Review and how we can work together to improve the effectiveness of our development cooperation partnership. An important element of our discussions will be the review of advisers in the aid program, which the Government announced on Budget night in May.
Our two countries have a shared interest in ensuring Australia's development assistance program is effective in delivering sustainable development outcomes for PNG, provides value for money and complements PNG priorities.
We will also advance our cooperation on the Kokoda Track. The Kokoda Track is of deep historical significance to both our nations and symbolises the lasting bond of friendship and mutual affection between the peoples of PNG and Australia.
We will also meet with representatives of the PNG and Australian business communities.
Australia's relationship with PNG is one of our most important, and is underpinned by geographical proximity, a shared history and strong people-to-people links.
Media inquiries
- Minister's Office: (02) 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555