papua new guinea

Visa outcomes for PNG achieved

In an official press conference held on Friday 17th February, Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong, announced that the Visa Processing Centre for PNG will be moved from Fiji to Port Moresby. 

She stated that the return of the Visa Processing Centre will aim to approve 75 percent of incoming visa applications within two weeks, in what is described as another major milestone in Australia-PNG relations.  

Bilateral Security Treaty Progressing

The recent ministerial forum held between Papua New Guinea leaders and Australian counterparts have been very productive, with the Treaty in progress.   

Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong emphasized the close relationship between both countries and the need to work more collaboratively to strengthen regional cooperation and stability.  

“We’re neighbours, we’re friends, we’re partners, in our relationship we’re equals.”  

How Papua New Guinea are preparing for historic shot at World Cup glory

The journey has been far from easy. The national team did not play a match from July 2019 until April 2022 but with New Zealand co-hosting the tournament this July and August, PNG seized the opportunity to qualify by winning the Oceania Nations Cup last July. Since then, results have slid, with Nicola Demaine losing her job as manager and little to no football played over almost three months.

This was the context into which Spencer Prior arrived in November. The 51-year-old brings a wealth of management experience with Australia, Young Matildas and Thailand women’s team.

SI seeks PNG’s expertise to host Games

This will be the first time the Solomon Islands would host the Pacific Games.

Minister determined to boost NZ and Aust partnership

Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko and his New Zealand counterpart Hanaia Mahuta discussed ways of enhancing the current status of the labor mobility program to include more Papua New Guineans across various industries in the New Zealand market - an objective that mirrors that of Australia.

NZ Foreign Minister calls for urgent PIF retreat

The delegation will be visiting the Seasonal Workers Program in New Zealand, which has offered 18,000 positions for seasonal workers. Currently, there are only 100 Papua New Guineans working in New Zealand and the delegation will be visiting them on site, meeting with contractors, the Labor and Immigration Department, and the Foreign Affairs representatives.

Tkatchenko in NZ for official visit

During their visit to the Victoria University, they hope to make arrangements for up to 250 young people from PNG to receive diplomacy training over a period of five years.

The Minister emphasized the importance of regional security and highlighted the positive relationship between New Zealand and PNG in terms of defense training. The delegation will also show their support for the PNG Female Football team, currently in New Zealand.

Manua: “Conform to international standards”

She called on the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology to collaborate with Thailand in pursing to meet international standards and apply these standards to PNG companies.

“Most of Thai food are processed foods are exported to the USA, Europe and Japan.

“PNG has a lot to learn from Thailand in meeting international standards for food processing for exports as well as domestic market.

“We call on the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology to collaborate with Thailand and other Asian countries to apply these standards in PNG.

Indonesia invited to host first trade meeting

Minister for International Trade and Investment, Richard Maru put the invitation to Indonesia Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Adriana Supandy. The meeting has been scheduled to take place this March in Jayapura, Indonesia.

Informal imports of a highly addictive psychostimulant gives seasonal workers in Australia a taste of home

Key points:

  • Australian biosecurity laws allow up to 10kg of betel nut to be imported
  • Demand for betel nut in Australia is soaring
  • Known for its euphoric and relaxing effect, the nut is highly addictive and causes disease

"When the dog goes to everyone and then stops on you, everyone knows that you're carrying something," he said.

"The worst feeling is that I don't know what's in my bag, like in my pocket … if someone put a drug in there."