Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells

Around 140,000 people living in the remote areas of the Highlands region were most impacted by the earthquake.

In a joint statement, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne and Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, said: “Continuing aftershocks have caused further damage in these areas, including a 5.8 magnitude earthquake on 5 March and a 6.7 magnitude earthquake this morning.

She toured around the Police College Training Facility in Bomana, Port Moresby.

Senator Fierravanti-Wells visited the PNG Police Dog Kernel and was then given a tour of the Bomana Police College. She visited the Police College Recruit Training classrooms and accommodation and ended her tour with a visit to the National Police Memorial where she laid a wreath to remember police officers who had died in line of duty.

Funded by Australia through the Kokoda Initiative, the K3.4 million project includes a double classroom each for Kokoda Elementary and the Kokoda Skills and Technical College, seven staff houses and a general maintenance package to upgrade existing buildings. The project also incorporates the installation of water tanks, toilets and new furniture for all buildings.

The locally owned company operates in the heartland of beekeeping in PNG, with 95 percent located in the Eastern Highlands province.

The business buys honey from local beekeepers, processes it by removing wax and other foreign material and then packages it under its brand name Highlands Honey.

Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells visited New Guinea Fruits recently, as part of her visit to Papua New Guinea and was really impressed.