Australian High Commissioner

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru emphasized in his first meeting with the new Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency John Feakes.

Minister Maru said, “I want to make it very clear to the Australian Government that PNG is not interested in the PACER Plus because Australia hardly buys from PNG with trade skewed in Australia’s favour for decades.”

The students were lauded for their successful completion of a summer school program at the esteemed Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

The summer school opportunity was made possible through the ANU-UPNG partnership, a collaborative effort supported by the Australian Government under the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership.

The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries including the President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Ishmael Toroama, Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp, Bougainville Minister for Education Thomas Petaaku, Bougainville Minister for Community Development Morris Opeti, and representatives from the ABG Department of Education.

The signing of the agreement was between Prime Minister Marape and Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Jonathan Philp after they farewelled the PNG Hunters team to Queensland.

The agreement will pave way for two technical officials, paid for by Australia to help Hunters in the areas of marketing and professional sports and career development.

Prime Minister James Marape said the level of relationship and cooperation between the two governments, at people to people level, and now in sports was getting stronger.

This was the High Commissioner’s second visit after having earlier accompanied Prime Minister James Marape to witness the swearing in of the new Bougainville Government in September.    

High Commissioner Philp was pleased to meet with President Ishmael Toroama again, along with New Zealand High Commissioner, Philip Taula, and United Nations Resident Coordinator, Gianluca Rampolla.

The high commission says this early provincial engagement highlights the importance Australia places on engaging with Papua New Guineans across PNG.

During his travel, High Commissioner Philp was able to see first-hand how Provincial Health Authorities are benefiting from Australian funding to assist with Papua New Guinea’s COVID-19 response. He was also able to observe the measures put in place to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever in the Highlands.

The High Commissioner was joined by Western Governor, Taboi Yoto, Member for South Fly Open, Sekie Agisa, as well as senior representatives of the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Home Affairs, PNG Customs and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

The many agencies represented on the delegation reflect the shared importance with which Australia and PNG treat the issues faced by this important border province. This was reaffirmed when the delegation took a tour of the Torres Strait towards Saibai Island.

The new ward will provide 26 beds to treat tuberculosis cases in a modern facility, leading to improved patient outcomes.

“ANGAU is creating the benchmark for large-scale, joint health infrastructure projects in Papua New Guinea,” said High Commissioner Philp.

“A healthy population is a productive population, and this will drive economic development and help build this great nation.”

“It creates more job opportunities and is essential for economic growth,” said Australian High Commissioner, Bruce Davis, during the 35^th Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum & Trade Expo on June 17^th.

“In Australia, trade and foreign investment has helped drive over 30 years of uninterrupted economic growth. One in five jobs in Australia exist because of our trade activities. Trade and foreign investment bring new skills and knowledge and is an important source of funding for technology and innovation enterprises.

Speaking at the National Law and Order Summit on August 8^th, Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis said around 50 percent of Papua New Guineans are younger than 24 years of age.

“As in every country, these young people have great potential and are a huge pool of energy and talent. The challenge is to provide them with meaningful opportunities to contribute positively to Papua New Guinea’s future prosperity,” he stated.