06 April 2014

Senator Mason visits Papua New Guinea

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Brett Mason, will depart today for a three day visit to Papua New Guinea.

“My visit to Papua New Guinea will underline the importance of Australia’s relationship with Papua New Guinea and build on the Prime Minister’s visit in March,” Senator Mason said.

“The visit will focus on Australia’s support for education and gender issues in Papua New Guinea, as well as strengthening the bilateral relationship.”

During the visit Senator Mason will have the opportunity of seeing a number of aid projects including visits to Divine Word University and Lutheran Nursing School. Under the Australia Awards program in 2014, Australia funded a Divine Word University-James Cook University pilot program supporting the joint delivery of a Bachelor of Business (Health Management) in PNG and Australia. The Australian Government also supported 42 in-country scholarships for students to study nursing and midwifery at the Lutheran Nursing School.

“Continued investment in a skilled and technically qualified workforce is important to ensure PNG makes the most of opportunities presented by its current, strong economic growth. To this end, education support in our aid program remains one of our key development outcomes for PNG, including investment in 2014 of over $62 million,” Senator Mason said.

“I will be accompanied on the visit by Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja. Increasing the number of women in leadership roles in PNG government and businesses is key to promoting economic growth and democracy, reducing poverty and increasing the wellbeing of women, girls and their families.”

The Australian Government is committed to gender outcomes across the foreign policy agenda and the overseas development program. In 2013-14 around $A2 billion will be spent through the Australian aid program on initiatives in which gender equality is a principal or significant objective.

Senator Mason’s trip will also promote the Government’s $100m New Colombo Plan, which is designed to give Australian undergraduate students new opportunities to pursue study programs and internships in countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The New Colombo Plan, currently in its pilot phase and providing opportunities in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia, will be rolled out more broadly across the Indo-Pacific from early next year.