Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

130920 - MR - New WHP aid office

19 September 2013

New Western Highlands office reinforces PNG-Australia Partnership for Development

The Australian aid program in PNG has opened a provincial office in Mt Hagen in a deepening of the PNG-Australia Partnership for Development.

The Head of Australian Aid in PNG, Stuart Schaefer, officially opened the office at the Gabina Centre, Mt Hagen City.

“The new office is another important link between Australian aid and the people of PNG,” Mr Schaefer said.

The new Western Highlands representative, Simon Kaldy, is part of a large Australian team in PNG working side-by-side with Papua New Guinea on delivering aid through the partnership.

“Our focus is on delivering aid in accordance with PNG’s approved priorities,” Mr Schaefer said.

“Our shared priorities are better education, health and HIV, law and justice and transport infrastructure.

“Through the partnership, we are always looking for where and how we can have the greatest impact on the lives of Papua New Guineans.

“Simon will be out working with the government, churches, NGOs and community leaders to help us to understand service delivery issues, monitor results and target assistance.”

Mr Kaldy said he was excited and honoured to work with the people of the province.

“I look forward to working with all levels of PNG Government to ensure people have access to quality services that will improve their lives and provide the opportunities for their children to reach their full potential,” he said.

Mr Kaldy has previously worked for four years with the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby on the Australia Awards program which provides tertiary-level study opportunities for Papua New Guineans.

Recent Partnership for Development results in the Western Highlands include:

• More than 20 million kina in education and health infrastructure through the Incentive Fund.
• More than 65,000 new textbooks delivered to 187 registered primary schools in 2012
• More than 109,000 tetanus toxoid vaccines to women of child bearing age, as well as 59,000 measles vaccinations and 61,000 oral polio vaccinations in 2012.
• Medical supply kits directly to 56 health centres and hospitals and 100 aid posts in 2012-13.
• Support for Village Courts and establishment of a Family and Sexual Violence Unit in Mt Hagen in 2010.
• Capacity building partnerships with churches and grants to community based organisations.

The Australian aid program’s other provincial offices are in Eastern Highlands, East New Britain and Milne Bay provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.