Australia is PNG’s best friend, says Abbott

Former Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, says Australia must by seen as a best friend who will never let PNG down.

Abbott said this on Monday (November 08th) during the Federation Chamber meeting in the Australian Parliament in Canberra.

He said Australia continued to focus on countries in South East Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States and were more important to them.

“Australia and PNG have geography in common, but we also have a future to work on as well as a past to honour and respect,” said Abbott.

Abbott was in PNG recently where he presented a speech at the Anglicare PNG Annual Dinner on November 02nd in Port Moresby.

He also visited the Australian Federal Police officers and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

Abbott said PNG has helped Australia with the establishment of the Manus processing facility in 2013, which would’ve been a problem for Australia then.

The AFP assistance was also cited, which Abbott said should continue as well as funding to assist PNG host the APEC 2018 Summit.

“I hope PNG looks at Australia not as a big brother but as a best friend who’ll never let them down,” he said.

The video of Abbott’s speech can be found on the following link https://www.facebook.com/TonyAbbottMP/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf .

Picture credit: 2GB.com

 

Author: 
Cedric Patjole