Marise Payne

Aust Minister clarifies Lombrum plan

Speaking to media after the APEC Ministerial Meeting, Payne said they will be working closely with the PNG Government and defence forces to build the facility.

“Australia has indicated that we will be working with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Papua New Guinea Government to develop some shared facilities there, not an Australian Naval Base,” said Minister Payne.

Cap on Pacific Labour Scheme lifted

This scheme gives Papua New Guineans the opportunity to attain low to semi-skilled jobs in Australia.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne, announced this on November 16th in Port Moresby, following the 30th APEC Ministerial Meeting.

The Minister said the Australian government’s decision is to increase engagement in the region.

“Our Pacific Labour Scheme will be progressively now rolled out across key Pacific island countries, up from the current six nations who are the current participants,” she said.

PNG’s new satellite internet system

The critical investment by Australia saw its Foreign Affairs Minister, Marise Payne, join PNG’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rimbink Pato, yesterday for the event.

Payne said the new system will benefit Papua New Guineans by reducing barriers to learning, improving private sector capacity and fostering job creation in the long term.

“In the near term, the project will boost connectivity for APEC meetings in Port Moresby in November,” she stated.