MEDIA RELEASE
10 September 2007
For immediate release
Senior Australian officials learn more about PNG
High-ranking public servants from Australia are visiting Papua New Guinea this week to learn more about the country and build valuable networks.
The visit is part of an Australian Government initiative called Leading Australia’s Future in Asia (LAFIA) which involves annual study tours to PNG and other countries in the region by senior government officials.
Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis, said: “LAFIA allows Australian decision-makers to gain a deeper understanding of the social, economic and political issues facing countries in the region, including PNG.
"Australia is a close friend and partner of PNG so it is important that some of our most senior public servants have an opportunity to experience the country first-hand and gain insights in the concerns of its leaders.”
The LAFIA group, which includes 14 federal and state public servants and one official from New Zealand, will take part in a number of meetings, site visits and events during their five-day visit to Port Moresby, Rabaul and Kokopo.
The group is meeting with business leaders in Port Moresby today and also visiting the Salvation Army Boroko Primary School, which is being supported by the Australian Government’s aid agency, AusAID.
Tomorrow the delegates will meet with a range of PNG public servants and later visit the offices of the charity, I Gat Hope, to talk with people living with HIV/AIDS.
Following a visit to Rabaul and Kokopo the group will return to the capital on Friday for a trip to Bomana War Cemetery and Bomana Prison before leaving for Brisbane en route to Vanuatu and Samoa.
The LAFIA delegation is being led by Bob Cotton of the Australian National University, a former Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand and Malaysia, and Roger Tarlinton of the Australian Public Service Commission.
Media Inquiries: Leigh Arnold, Public Diplomacy Manager, T: 325 9333 ext 275