03 December 2012

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr Visits PNG

 

Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Bob Carr, has arrived in Papua New Guinea for a four day visit from 3 to 6 December.

While in PNG, Senator Carr will meet Acting Prime Minister Leo Dion, his counterpart Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato and other senior PNG figures.

“I am looking forward to my visit to our closest neighbor for discussions that will strengthen our close relationship further,” Senator Carr said.

Senator Carr will visit Port Moresby, where he will attend commemoration ceremonies for Australian WWII personnel buried in the Bomana War Cemetery, and also travel to the Highlands to see Australian-funded health and education programs. The Highlands leg will include a visit to Mt Hagen, and to Minsiter Pato’s electorate of Wapenamanda in Enga Province.

Senator Carr will be joined in Port Moresby later in the week by Trade and Competitiveness Minister Craig Emerson, Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen, Home Affairs and Defence Material Minister Jason Clare and Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Richard Marles for the 21st Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum on 6 December.

The Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum is an integral part of the bilateral relationship providing a platform for Australian and PNG Ministers to advance bilateral work and to discuss mutual regional and international issues interests and priorities.

“The Forum’s substantial agenda will include consideration of progress on negotiations for an Economic Cooperation Treaty, the establishment of a PNG Sovereign Wealth Fund, and cooperation on police, defence, immigration and development issues”, Senator Carr said.

Prior to announcements during his visit on substantial assistance in the health and education sectors, Senator Carr has announced funding of $370,000 for four Family and Sexual Violence (FSV) units in Papua New Guinea, offering support for women escaping domestic violence or looking to make complaints of sexual assault.

Senator Carr said the units would be based at PNG police stations and staffed by local officers with specialized training in dealing with complaints of domestic or sexual violence. “I congratulate the PNG Government and particularly Prime Minister Peter O'Neill for his commitment to delivering anti-violence campaigns and for continuing the rollout of these units at police stations across PNG.”

Senator Carr said the new FSV units would be located at police stations in Alotau, Buka, Vanimo and Kundiawa and would open in January 2013.

Senator Carr said further action on domestic and sexual violence would be on the agenda for the Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby on Thursday 6 December.