Australia’s new Consul General to Lae will be taking up his post this month.
Paul Murphy, who was announced last month by Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop, will officially take over from Alan McLay.
McLay, who is also the Lae Chamber of Commerce & Industry President, has held the post of Honorary Consul for the last three years.
Bishop thanked McLay for his excellent contribution in providing consular services for Australians.
A career diplomat with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Murphy was most recently Assistant Director, Free Trade Agreement Division.
He has served overseas as First Secretary (Economic), Australian High Commission, Port Moresby, and holds a Bachelor of Economics, Australian National University and a Bachelor of Arts, Australian National University.
In her announcement of Murphy’s appointment, Bishop said Australia is committed to building its economic and strategic partnership with PNG.
She said Lae, which is home to a number of Australian businesses, is integral to Australia’s over $18 billion (K41 billion) investment in PNG.
“The Consulate-General will boost Australia’s presence in Papua New Guinea and bolster the growing trade and investment relationship between our two countries. It will also offer consular and other services to the thousands of Australians living in the area,” she Bishop.
“The Consulate-General will support the delivery of Australia’s aid investment in Papua New Guinea, expected to be over $550 million (K1.2 billion) in 2016-17.
“Our investment is focused on promoting effective governance, enabling economic growth and enhancing human development.”